4 RBs the NY Giants should pursue this offseason not named Saquon Barkley

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley has returned in full force in 2022. He has consistently been the driving force of this Giants offense, and the entire game plan is structured around him.

Over the past two seasons, Barkley dealt with several injuries, ultimately keeping him off the field. During that stretch, he played in a total of 15 games. When on the field, he produced 627 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on the ground. Through the air, he recorded 66 receptions for 323 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Now, through just 12 games in 2022, Barkley is on pace to surpass all of his numbers from the previous two seasons. With an improved offensive line, and Mike Kafka calling the plays, Barkley has once again found success. He has rushed for 1,055 yards and eight touchdowns on 242 total carries. Through the air he has been targeted 52 times, recording 40 receptions for 241 receiving yards.

But even with the success that Barkley has found this season, the Giants could still elect to move on from him during the offseason. The two sides are yet to agree on an extension, and Barkley will likely demand money that reflects just how good he has been on the field. With how loaded the RB class is in free agency for 2023, there are several, potentially cheaper options for Joe Schoen to consider. In this piece, we take a look at four possible replacements for Barkley if he heads elsehwere:

4. Bills RB Devin Singletary

Since being taken in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary has been a strong talent out of the backfield. Singeltary has appeared in 57 games, with 52 of them being starts. When on the field, he has been productive, totaling 2,935 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on 632 total carries. He has also been a reliable target through the air, recording 138 receptions for 917 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns on 183 career targets.

Throughout this season, Singletary has once again put together a strong campaign. In 12 games, he has recorded 603 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 137 total carries. Through the air, he has added 31 receptions for 226 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.

While Singletary has still handled RB1 duties for the Bills this season, his potential replacement is already on the roster. In the 2022 NFL Draft, the Bills selected running back James Cook in the second round. His role has grown throughout the season, which could potentially lead to the team not re-signing Singletary.

Singletary could be the perfect addition to the Giants backfield. While he isn’t the biggest running back, he consistently manages to make plays, specifically in the red zone. Given Brian Daboll’s connection with the Bills, he may look to bring in a familiar face to the backfield. Singletary could be just that.

3. New England Patriots RB Damien Harris

New England Patriots running back Damien Harris is yet another member of the 2019 class that could be on the search for a new home in the offseason. With the emergence of Rhamondre Stevenson, Harris has seen his workload decrease in the Patriots backfield. Injuries have also held him back at times.

Since being drafted in 2019, Harris has played in a total of 36 games, while earning 33 total starts. Harris is yet to play a full season, and unfortunately, that will be the case again in 2022. But when on the field, he is impressive.

Over his four seasons in the NFL, Harris has recorded 2,015 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns on 427 carries. He is currently averaging 4.7 yards per carry throughout his career.

Harris has not been used in the passing game as much as many of the other running backs on this list. In total, he has been targeted just 44 times through the air, but he has pulled in 36 receptions for 259 receiving yards.

With the addition of Harris, there is the chance that injuries could at times impact him. When healthy, he is a force while carrying the ball. But his inability to suit up for the whole season could be seen as a risk by some.

Given the opportunity, and the chance to find a place within the offense, Harris could be a great option for the Giants. The 25-year-old running back has shown on several occasions just how good he can be. If the Giants were to add him in the offseason, he could end up playing some of the best football of his career.

2. Chicago Bears RB David Montgomery

Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery was taken just one pick before Singletary in the 2019 NFL Draft. It just so happens that the two running backs now find themselves in very similar positions.

The Bears have already found their potential running back of the future in Khalil Herbert. In his second year, he has played a big role in the offense and has already begun to take touches away from Montgomery. This emergence could lead to Mongtomery leaving in the offseason.

Over the course of his four seasons with the Bears, injuries have at times held Montgomery back. But when healthy, he has been a legitimate option out of the backfield Through 56 career appearances, Montgomery has recorded 47 career starts. He has rushed for 3,449 yards and 25 touchdowns on 874 total carries.

He has also been effective through the air, recording 146 receptions for 1,168 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 184 career targets. Montgomery has spent much of his career playing behind a lackluster offensive line. This has also played a role in his inconsistent production at times.

Given the Giants go after Montgomery, he could become a legitimate threat out of the backfield for this team. He has already shown that he can be an RB1. Now, on a Giants team that is putting together a talented offensive line, Montgomery could show that on a regular basis.

1. Philadelphia Eagles RB Miles Sanders

Philadelphia Eagles running back Miles Sanders may not be interested in joining an NFC East rival in the Giants. And the same could be said for the Giants regarding their interest in signing Sanders. But if the two sides could agree on a deal, he could be the perfect option to step in if Barkley leaves.

During his time at Penn State, Sanders sat behind Barkley. Eventually, he became the RB1 when Barkley jumped to the NFL. It would be almost poetic if Sanders stepped into the Giants offense in place of Barkley.

Throughout his NFL career, Sanders has been a reliable option out of the backfield. Over his first three seasons, he put together several strong campaigns. During that stretch, he recorded 2,429 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 480 total carries. Through the air, he added 104 receptions for 864 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

Now in his fourth NFL season, the 2019 second-round pick is playing some of the best football of his career. Along with this, he is looking to set career highs across the board on the ground. In 12 games this season, Sanders has managed to play a large role in the overall success of the Eagles offense. He has rushed for 924 yards and nine touchdowns.

This is already the most of his young career, and this comes just one year after he failed to reach the end zone once in 2021. Through the air, Sanders has not found much success this season. He has been targeted just 20 times, resulting in 17 receptions for 74 receiving yards. While he hasn’t been utilized much in this area, he has shown throughout his career what he can do as a pass-catcher.

Sanders could be the perfect option to take over as the Giants starting running back. He plays in a similar fashion to Barkley already and is explosive when given the opportunity. He could very well be the best replacement for the Giants star running back.

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