Saquon Barkley's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

After a thorough review of the Philadelphia Eagles' signing of running back Saquon Barkley, the NFL informed the team on Thursday that the investigation did not discover sufficient evidence to support a finding that the anti-tampering policy was violated. The league reviewed phone logs, text messages and other documents related to Philadelphia's free-agency strategy and decision to sign Barkley. The NFL also interviewed several members of the organization, including Howie Roseman and Nick Sirianni, as well as Barkley and Penn State head coach James Franklin. Unlike the Atlanta Falcons and their pursuit of quarterback Kirk Cousins this offseason, the Eagles will not face any fines or loss of future draft picks for their signing of Barkley.

Free-agent running back Saquon Barkley is signing with the Philadelphia Eagles on a three-year, $37.75 million deal. The deal includes $26 million in guaranteed money and has an additional $9 million available in incentives. After a 2018 rookie season that saw the former Penn State star go for over 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 15 touchdowns, he has struggled to stay healthy over a chunk of the next five years of his career. He missed 21 games from 2019 to 2021. He bounced back in 2022 with 1,312 rushing yards but regressed to 962 yards in 14 games in 2023. However, the Eagles believe in him as a game-changing running back, as his average salary ($12.58 million) ranks only below Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara, and Jonathan Taylor. Although the Eagles' offensive line could take a hit after the retirement of Jason Kelce, Barkley should be playing behind the best offensive line of his career in 2024. He will have an immediate high-end RB1 upside in fantasy football.

The Philadelphia Eagles and Houston Texans are both interested in signing free-agent running back Saquon Barkley, according to SNY's Connor Hughes. The New York Giants are also interested in keeping Barkley around, but he may be plucked away by another team. Although the former first-rounder has a lengthy injury history, he's viewed as the best option in a top-heavy free-agent running back market this offseason. The 27-year-old two-time Pro Bowler took a step back in 2023, although he didn't have much of a chance with quarterback Daniel Jones (knee) hurt while running behind an atrocious offensive line. Barkley finished with 962 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 247 carries while adding 41 catches for 280 yards and four more TDs in 14 games. Regardless of where Barkley is playing in 2024, he'll be a risk/reward RB1 for fantasy managers.

Impending Free-agent running back Saquon Barkley already has several teams interested in signing him. However, most interestingly, the Eagles have emerged as a franchise to watch. The 27-year-old has spent the last six seasons in New York since being taken No. 2 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. He's had some dominant fantasy seasons, although he was most productive as a rookie. But he's also battled more than his share of injuries over the years, a source of fantasy managers' frequent frustration. Barkley didn't have a horrible year in 2023-24, totaling 10 touchdowns while falling 38 rushing yards short of 1,000. Yet, he missed three more games. Nonetheless, it's worth noting that teams like the Cowboys and Ravens are a few other teams rumored to be in the running to get Barkley to sign on the dotted line. There's also a chance he remains with the Giants. The Eagles also haven't prioritized the running back position, so any potential deal could fall through before it has a chance to start. At any rate, the former Nittany Lion has the talent, but his fantasy outlook primarily hinges on whether he can remain healthy.

The New York Giants are not using the franchise tag on impending free-agent running back Saquon Barkley again, according to a source. It means that Barkley will hit the open market next week and will be one of the top free agents in a very good running back class this offseason. The franchise tag for the second straight year on Barkley would have cost the Giants $12.1 million in 2024. The 27-year-old probably won't reach that mark in free agency, but he could come close. The former first-rounder (second overall) in 2018 out of Penn State missed three more games due to injury in 2023 and really didn't have much of a chance behind an atrocious offensive line in New York, finishing with 962 rushing yards and six TDs on 247 carries, adding 41 catches for 280 yards and four more scores. Barkley's 2024 fantasy value will be more clear once we know where he's playing, but as of right now he projects to be a risk/reward low-end RB1.