The New York Giants already had one of the league’s best running backs in Saquon Barkley as they entered the 2020 league year, but looking to bolster the unit, they went out and signed Dion Lewis at an almost criminal price (just $225,000 guaranteed).
Lewis provides an immediate and obvious upgrade for the Giants, giving them the perfect spell back for Barkley — one who can pass protect, handle a good amount of carries and make plays as a receiver out of the backfield.
So where does that leave the Giants in terms of running back duos? If you were to ask Matt Miller of Bleacher Report, he’d tell you it lands them in the top 10 league-wide.
8. New York Giants
RB1: Saquon Barkley (91)
RB2: Dion Lewis (75)
Total: 166
This is largely thanks to Saquon Barkley, who should only be better in 2020 if the Giants can stay healthy up front and if second-year quarterback Daniel Jones becomes enough of a threat to keep defenses from loading the box. On pure talent, there is no better back than Barkley in the NFL, but he has to put it together in terms of production. A 2,000-total-yard season should be the expectation for him.
And if you’re wondering how Miller determined those grades, he combined his own evaluations with Pro Football Focus grades and Football Outsiders analytics.
Topping the list were the Cleveland Browns with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt (183 grade overall), while the Pittsburgh Steelers’ combination of James Conner and Anthony McFarland Jr. checked in dead last with a total grade of 148.
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