Who is the best running back in football? Is it Ezekiel Elliott of the Dallas Cowboys or Christian McCaffrey of the Carolina Panthers? How about New York Giants superstar Saquon Barkley?
That’s a question several NFL executives, coaches and players recently set out to answer and they ultimately settled on Barkley.
“He can score from anywhere on the field, and you feel that,” one NFC exec told ESPN. “That’s rare. Can generate more big plays than anyone.”
Barkley’s ability to create the big play is also a constant concern for defenses.
“You have at least four guys worrying about him every snap,” said a veteran NFL linebacker.
Even with Barkley hampered by a high ankle sprain in 2019, he was still a constant focal point and thorn in the side of his opponents.
“Cutting ability, vision, contact balance — he’s got it all,” said an AFC exec. “Nothing he doesn’t do.”
Another opposing coach went as far as to say he stopped watching film on the sidelines briefly just so that he could get a glimpse at the superstar taking the field.
“He’s a player you have to catch a glimpse at,” an opposing offensive coach said.
Second to Barkley was the aforementioned McCaffrey, while Elliott checked in at No. 3 overall. Rounding out the top five were Alvin Kamara and Derrick Henry, respectively.
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