NFL exec has incredible prediction for new NY Giants RB Devin Singletary

After the gut-wrenching betrayal of Saquon Barkley signing with the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles, the New York Giants and general manager Joe Schoen had to seek out a replacement for the two-time Pro Bowl running back. Barkley's successor will be Devin Singletary, who signed a three-year, $16.5 million contract with Big Blue after spending 2023 with the Houston Texans.

While Singletary has been much more durable than Barkley and could lead a respectable backfield, even Giants fans who now despise him cannot deny his incredible talent on the gridiron. Barkley is one of the league's most elusive and dynamic rushers, having cemented himself as one of NY's best running backs in team history. However, according to an NFL exec who spoke to The Athletic's Mike Sando, the Giants won't be losing any sleep over Barkley's absence.

NFL exec has towering projections for new NY Giants RB Devin Singletary

"“I actually like the stuff that they did. Saquon is a good back, but you are talking about a running back. (Devin) Singletary is going to produce as much as Saquon did for them at a fraction of the cost.""

- NFL executive to Mike Sando

The Giants didn't have the kind of money that Barkley was looking for on the open market, and they opted for a player who cost less than half as much. Regardless, this anonymous league exec believes that Singletary will give NY's offense the same production Barkley did over the past few years.

As absurd as it sounds, he might have a point here. Singletary has averaged 4.6 yards per carry for his career, while Barkley has averaged 4.3. In fact, Singletary has outpaced him in yards per carry in every season since he entered the league. While factors such as offensive line and health could be considered, the statistics speak for themselves.

Another variable that could have led the league exec to say this is the difference in dependability between the two players. Singletary has never reached 1,000 rushing yards in a season, while Barkley has done so three times in six years. However, the Penn State product has struggled to stay on the field and avoid injuries, appearing in fewer career games than Singletary has despite having played one more NFL season than him.

Barkley played through a high-ankle sprain for most of the 2019 campaign, tore his ACL in 2020, and missed multiple games in 2021 and 2023. Meanwhile, Singletary has appeared in all but one game over the past four years. Even if the Giants' new running back is not as entertaining to watch as the former fan-favorite, at least Big Blue supporters can expect him to preserve his health.