7 NY Giants who need big seasons in 2021, including Daniel Jones

3) Saquon Barkley – RB

The NY Giants picked up Barkley’s fifth-year option, which was a no-brainer for the organization, but also as tacit a commitment that could be given to a player who is when healthy, among the five most dominant players at his position.

For Barkley, though, suddenly, staying healthy is among his biggest concerns.

Barkley, of course, suffered a season-ending torn ACL in Week 2 last season, one year removed from suffering a high-ankle sprain that kept him sidelined for three weeks and limited for much of the remainder of the season.

The bigger decision for the NY Giants looms next offseason, when the organization must decide whether to sign Barkley to a long-term contract, and in all likelihood, make him the highest-paid running back in the league.

For Barkley to reach that level, it will be imperative he stays on this field this season and returns to — or surpasses — the form of his rookie season, when he rushed for a career-high 1,307 yards with 11 touchdowns.

This season isn’t quite make-or-break for Barkley in New York, but his health and effectiveness will figure significantly into deciding his future and dictating just how successful this team is in 2021.