[jwplayer wz1YmyQu-ThvAeFxT]
Over the last couple of years, the New York Giants haven’t ranked very high in a lot of categories in the NFL. Of course, three straight losing seasons will do that to a team.
But in Pro Football Focus’ rankings on each position, one area in which the Giants fared pretty well was at running back, finding themselves ranked 10th overall in the league.
Few running backs have the big-play potential of Saquon Barkley, as he can seemingly take it to the house at any time. Last season, he was unable to sustain the breakaway runs that defined his rookie season — he had seven 40-plus-yard carries that season — but such is the volatile nature of running back production. Barkley still must improve when it comes to just taking what is there, but one of these years the Giants’ run blocking will improve, and he could go off for a monster statistical season. Most importantly, though, Barkley is a weapon in the passing game, and he’s forced 42 missed tackles on only 143 career receptions so far.
The addition of veteran Dion Lewis also factored into PFF’s rankings.
The Giants also added Dion Lewis into the mix. Lewis is another elusive back who is coming off a 59.8 overall grade with the Titans, a career-low mark. He is capable of taking some of the pressure off Barkley when it comes to catching passes out of the backfield, however, as the former Patriot has two seasons in which he forced at least 15 missed tackles after the catch. Wayne Gallman then rounds out the group as the No. 3 option who is set to enter the last year of his rookie contract.
Barkley is one of the league’s best all-around running backs, so if Lewis can return to past form, this duo could give the Giants one of the most dynamic units in the league.
There was a time when the Giants’ running back situation wasn’t something to write home about, but ever since they drafted Barkley with the second overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, he’s given the team consecutive 1,000-plus yard seasons on the ground.
Barkley missed three games last season with an injury and was held to 1 yard in a game, but he still managed to rush for over 1,000 yards.
Meanwhile, Wayne Gallman, who was once a potential starting back before Barkley arrived onto the scene, and Jon Hilliman, round out the group.
[lawrence-related id=652987,652941,652997]