4 biggest NY Giants winners and 2 losers from the first week of free agency

Every year when the NFL free agency period starts, it is legitimate madness. Some players cash in and get life-changing contracts, while others, unfortunately, watch their market go down. The NFL is a business at the end of the day, and every business has its ups and downs.

For the NY Giants, general manager Joe Schoen was working overtime in improving the team on both sides of the ball. He did just that with the big-time addition of Brian Burns, while also improving the offensive line. He also saw a pair of playmakers leave to new teams, cashing out big time. In this piece, we have our four winners and two losers from free agency, with some of the winners surely surprising you:

Winner - Saquon Barkley

Saquon Barkley is a winner of free agency, there's no doubt about that one. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on who you ask, it was NOT with the New York Giants. Barkley signed a three-year, $37.75 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, including $26 million guaranteed. Reports have stated Schoen didn't even put a final offer on the table for him.

Barkley, 27, had been going back and forth with the front office about contract negotiations, saying he wanted to be a Giant for life. He and Schoen couldn't get on the same page and now we have to watch him suit up for the enemy starting in September.

Even after a down year, Barkley was coveted by the Eagles and valued as more than a running back, but rather a weapon. It'll definitely be weird seeing Barkley playing for a division rival, but he definitely won in free agency this year. It's a massive contract for a 27-year-old back in today's NFL.