3 reasons why trading NY Giants RB Saquon Barkley would be a mistake

1. Saquon Barkley has his confidence back with the NY Giants

One of the main takeaways from minicamp no question had to be that Barkley appeared to get his swagger back. He lost it after tearing his ACL, and then looking like he lost a step during the 2021 season. Everyone had high hopes for Barkley entering last fall, but he ended up rushing for 592 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games. No one saw that coming.

The ankle issues also were rough to see. Now, though, Barkley is moving fluidly and his mind appears to be in the right place. This is going to make a massive impact for him from start to finish in 2022. After going 4-13 last year, not many people are giving the Giants a chance of making the playoffs. If they do, however, Barkley will surely prove to be one of the main reasons why.

"“The biggest difference would just be you had to go through a little bit the past couple years, so it just helped mold me, shape me to be the player I am right now and just coming into this camp, focusing on my body, working on my body, doing all the little things necessary to keep my body healthy,” Barkley said during minicamp. “When you’ve got that, when you can trust your body – your confidence just grows. So, I would say the difference was I was a way more confident player in college and early in my career than I was prior to the last year and then last year. Now I’m starting to get that back, starting to get that swagger back.”"

That quote above alone tells you how great Barkley is feeling. Will it lead to him showcasing the kind of first-round talent that made the Giants use a No. 2 overall pick on him? That’s what everyone will be waiting to see. Barkley looks ripe for a big year and Schoen needs to avoid making any rash, rushed decisions. He simply can’t trade him.