Four potential replacements for Giants RB Saquon Barkley
For the second consecutive offseason, New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley is slated to be an unrestricted free agent.
The 27-year-old amassed 1,242 all-purpose yards and 10 total touchdowns during the 2023 season while playing on an adjusted franchise tag. Even so, given Barkley’s age, injury history and New York’s previous reluctance to give him a lucrative long-term contract extension, it might make sense for both sides to part ways this offseason.
With that, here are four running backs the Giants should consider adding this offseason to replace Barkley.
Jonathon Brooks, Texas
New York’s easiest path to replacing Barkley is through the 2024 NFL Draft. While there aren’t any projected first-round running backs, the lack of a blue-chip prospect benefits the Giants since they wouldn’t have to spend a high pick at the position. Instead, the Giants can wait for a good value selection to fall to them, and Brooks could provide the solution.
Despite suffering a season-ending ACL injury in November, Brooks is the consensus No. 1 running back prospect in the 2024 class, according to ESPN’s NFL Draft analysts’ rankings. After sitting behind NFL running backs Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson for two seasons, Brooks finally earned his chance to start for the Longhorns in 2023. Brooks totaled 1,425 all-purpose yards and scored 11 touchdowns in just 10 games, rushing for at least 98 yards in each of his final eight contests.
The Giants hold two picks in the second round — Nos. 39 and 47 overall — to spend on Brooks, though if his injury causes his stock to fall a round later, he would be a no-brainer selection.
Bucky Irving, Oregon
Since Joe Schoen has taken the reins as New York’s general manager, he’s made a conscious effort to add speed to the offense. Irving, a 5-foot-10, 195-pound tailback, could be the perfect fit for the Giants if Schoen continues this approach.
The Minnesota transfer broke out for the Ducks in 2022, rushing for 1,058 yards while scoring eight total touchdowns, but truly established himself as a dynamic weapon out of the backfield this season. In 14 games, Irving rushed for 1,180 yards on an efficient 6.3 yards per carry while scoring 11 rushing touchdowns. Irving was also a formidable threat as a pass-catcher in 2023, hauling in 56 passes for 413 yards (the third-most among draft-eligible running backs, per PFF) and two touchdowns.
Even though Irving’s size will be a concern, it’s impossible to deny that he’d be valuable as a change-of-pace rotational piece in New York’s backfield. Depending on how his pre-draft process shakes out, Irving could be a Day 2 selection, but if he falls to Day 3, he should be the Giants’ top target at the position.
Audric Estime, Notre Dame
Estime, Mel Kiper of ESPN’s No. 3 running back prospect, offers an entirely different set of skills than Irving but could be another intriguing option for New York. The 5-foot-11, 227-pounder is a pure power back who is willing to fight through contact and excels as a downhill runner.
After a dominant 2022 season, during which he tallied 1,055 all-purpose yards and 12 total touchdowns, Estime emerged as one of the top running backs in the nation in 2023. In 12 games, Estime rushed for the 12th-most yards (1,341) and third-most touchdowns in the FBS (18). He isn’t much of a factor in the receiving game, though Estime still managed to catch 17 passes for 142 yards this season.
With a strong showing at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, Estime should solidify himself as a Day 2 selection in April’s draft, and at that price, he’d be worth investing in for the Giants. Estime could immediately step in as a rotational back while still providing the upside for bell-cow usage. For what it’s worth, the Nyack, N.Y., native has found success at MetLife Stadium, as he led St. Joseph Regional (N.J.) to a Non-Public Group 4 title in 2018.
Zack Moss, impending free agent
If the Giants aren’t willing to break the bank to pay Barkley in free agency, they shouldn’t make any significant investments in the position this offseason. Therefore, Moss, who excelled as a workhorse and rotational back for the Indianapolis Colts this season, would be an ideal target over someone like Josh Jacobs or Derrick Henry.
Although Moss struggled in Giants HC Brian Daboll’s system during their time with the Buffalo Bills, he had a career year in 2023, racking up 986 yards from scrimmage and seven total touchdowns in 14 games. Across eight games as a starter for Indianapolis, the 26-year-old rushed for 69.8 yards per game, which would’ve ranked eighth in the NFL had he averaged that over the entire season.
Signing Moss also wouldn’t undermine any draft plans in the event that New York decides to address the position in April. As per Pro Football Focus’ free agent rankings, Moss is projected to ink a two-year, $7.5M deal this offseason.
