2024 NFL Free Agent Running Back: Saquon Barkley
When Will The Carousel Ride End For Saquon Barkley?
Are the Giants and Saquon Barkley about to go on this merry-go-round for a contract again in 2024? He is set to become a free agent unless they franchise tag him, which seems unlikely. The Giants did this last year, and although it frustrated him, he did play under the tag, where he played in 14 games. 2023 was a little bit of an off-year for Saquon, but he still finished the season as the RB13 with 962 rushing yards, 280 receiving yards, and ten total touchdowns. Let’s dive in and take a look at his fantasy implications heading into next year, whether it’s with the G-Men or playing somewhere else.
New York Giants
I have to include Barkley staying with the Giants as a legitimate possibility because he has said in the past that he always wanted to retire as a Giant. If he does come to terms, the good thing is, we know exactly what we will get out of him, which is a top-15 RB. Since 2020, fantasydata.com has shown us that he averages 15 points per game in PPR, which is good enough to land him inside the top 15 at the RB position. Staying in New York gives us some clarity on what to expect in 2024. I see no reason why he wouldn’t be able to produce what we’ve already seen out of him, and that’s with one of the worst offensive lines in the league. Heading into next year’s redraft, Barkley will continue to be drafted as a high second-round pick and finish inside the top 15.
Houston Texans
The Texans are one, if not the biggest up-and-coming teams in the NFL, led by young sensational QB CJ Stroud. Devin Singletary signed a one-year deal last year, so if the Houston Texans wanted to move on from him for Saquon Barkley, they could easily do so, and they have the third most cap space flexibility to spend. Adding Barkley, who remains in his prime, with this ascending offense could create a lot of fireworks for fantasy numbers. It’s not hard to imagine with Barkley in a Texans uniform that, he would not only be a first-round pick but finishing as a top 5 RB in 2024 is not out of the realm of possibility either. Saddle up, this could be a fun ride.
Philadelphia Eagles
Picking the Eagles as a landing spot isn’t easy because GM Howie Roseman typically doesn’t pay his RBs. They also have a lot of work to do on the defensive side of the ball. He let Miles Sanders walk in free agency and traded for D’Andre Swift, who was in the final year of his rookie deal. The only RB under contract right now is Kenneth Gainwell, so the likelihood of signing one is pretty high. If the Eagles decide to make a splash, he would instantly be running behind a much improved offensive line, even with Center Jason Kelce retiring. However, the concern for me in Philly is all the other playmakers they have in this offense to eat away at his usage. I will still project him as an early second-round pick with the possibility of cracking the first round, considering the improvement of the offense that he would be in.