Ever since the offseason began, New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley’s future with the team has been a hot topic around the organization. Despite many times this offseason it seemed Barkley’s trade rumors have been put to rest, they just won’t go away.
As recent as this week, Bleacher Report named Barkley as a player the Giants should have on the trading block.
And now, in what may or may not have a direct correlation to Barkley’s trade rumors, Bleacher Report named signing running back David Johnson as the move Big Blue should make prior to the season beginning:
David Johnson will never be the back everyone imagined when he could be when he posted 2,118 yards from scrimmage during the 2016 campaign. Injuries and an outrageous contract extension already saw to that.
Nonetheless, Johnson proved he can be a solid contributor as part of a running back rotation. As such, some interest continues to percolate around the league. Johnson already visited the New Orleans Saints earlier this offseason.
For the Giants, the team should hedge a bit regarding Saquon Barkley’s future. His injury history alone makes depth at the position a necessity. The 2018 second-overall draft pick hasn’t played a full season since his rookie campaign, thanks to ankle issues and a torn ACL.
Matt Breida, Gary Brightwell Jr. and Antonio Williams are projected as New York’s running back depth. Breida bounced between three teams over the last three seasons, while Brightwell and Williams have a combined 12 career rushing attempts.
If the Giants aren’t entirely comfortable with Johnson at this point in his career, they could call the Cleveland Browns and possibly trade for D’Ernest Johnson, dependent on giving up a draft asset.
No matter how much they believe in Barkley, Big Blue would be wise to leave their options open and at the very least listen to offers for their star running back prior to the season or even during the season.
Signing David Johnson gives the Giants some injury insurance in case Barkley isn’t able to stay on the field and would give the Giants a nice platoon between Johnson and Matt Breida should Barkley get traded at any point.
In the article, Bleacher Report named a move for each NFL team. For the Los Angeles Rams, the move was re-signing former Giants star receiver Odell Beckham and for the Houston Texans, their move was signing former Giant Landon Collins.
For the Indianapolis Colts, their move was extending Quenton Nelson; a player who will be forever connected to Barkley as the player the Giants should have taken from that draft class. Finally, the piece suggested the Carolina Panthers should trade for Baker Mayfield; the no. 1 pick in the 2018 NFL draft; just one pick ahead of Barkley.
Barkley’s future with the Giants is still very much in question and his performance this season will go a long way to his next contract; whoever it may be with. With what should be an improved offensive line on Big Blue this season both Barkley and quarterback Daniel Jones have a lot to prove.
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