Saquon Barkley is a polarizing name in the Giants community. Many have been down on Barkley for years because they feel it was a mistake to draft him in the first place. Others love him because he has represented his franchise well and when he stays healthy he is a great player. If anyone has read my stuff, I have said multiple times this offseason that the Giants should have been looking to trade Saquon this offseason and I am against resigning him after this year. Now, with that being said, I have also said that I very much believe this could be a big year for Saquon. That is a reason why I absolutely love Barkley in fantasy this year.
Barkley has had a very interesting fantasy football career. In 2018, Barkley played a full 16 games and finished as the number 1 running back. After 2018, is where Barkley’s injuries reared their ugly head. In 2019, he finished as the number 10 running back after playing 13 games. In 2020, Barkley obviously only played 2 games before tearing his ACL and last year Barkley played in 13 games and finished as the number 32 running back. So if you’re doing the math at home, Barkley has been on a downward slope the past 3 years. Much of that is due to injury, and that obviously can’t be predicted, but something feels different this year. Barkley is 2 years removed from his torn ACL now and is now, with the rest of the Giants’ offense, removed from the terrible Jason Garrett scheme, and he is clearly pissed off at the hate he has gotten. Not to mention Barkley is playing under what is expected to be his best offensive coaches and if the offensive line can get healthy it may be the best line he has played behind. Will he match the 2018 season he had? I’m not sure, but with Saquon Barkley going at an average draft position of 21, I will gladly take that value.
Fantasy football drafts will be coming hot and heavy over the next week or so. Everyone identifies their guys that they want in their drafts. Saquon is a guy that I am very high on. Now, you can call me a homer all you want, but I’m not the only one saying Saquon could have a great year this year.
Time will tell, but with Saquon being healthy, playing with perhaps his best offensive coaches, and with limited completion to take away touches, I think this is the year Saquon could return to fantasy stardom.
(Photo: Giants.com/Matt Swensen)
