Replacing two-time Pro Bowl running back Saquon Barkley was never going to be easy for Joe Schoen and the NY Giants. Shortly after it was announced No. 26 signed with the Eagles - something that still breaks countless hearts - the G-Men made things official with Devin Singletary.
Singletary put the pen to paper on a three-year deal with New York worth $16.5 million. He's now the Barkley 'replacement,' but no one can argue there's a significant drop off there. Entering the new season, not a lot of people are too fired up about Singletary's potential with the Giants, including Pro Football Focus. PFF just came out with its new starting RB rankings, with Singletary checking in at third worst at No. 30.
Devin Singletary will hope to silence his haters in 2024 with the Giants
"Singletary was intended to be the backup for Dameon Pierce, but a fine run of performances, as well as disappointing ones from Pierce, saw the former Bills running back jump up the depth chart and not look back. Singletary carried the ball a career-high 216 times for 898 yards and four touchdowns while earning a 70.8 grade. His 23 explosive runs tied for 13th in the NFL, and he was top 20 in yards after contact, too. ultimately will be the starting running back for the Giants in 2024."PFF's Thomas Valentine
Per PFF, the only RBs behind Singletary before Week 1 gets here are Baltimore's Gus Edwards and Las Vegas' Zamir White. Singletary, believe it or not, is coming off a career-best season. In 2023, the veteran RB posted 898 yards, while adding 193 more yards through the air.
Singletary has posted at least 818 yards in each of the last three seasons. He's a dependable back, no one can question that. However, he doesn't bring the same kind of flare and excitement as someone like Barkley. Despite that, Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen are hopeful he can make a big impact for the offense.
You know what could really help Singletary? A solid offensive line. The Giants OL was the worst in the NFL last season, but there are high hopes for the new-look group up front. Andrew Thomas, Jon Runyan Jr., John Michael Schmitz, Jermaine Eluemonor and Evan Neal will be ready to protect Daniel Jones, but opening up gaping holes for Singletary will also be a top priority. Will they get the job done for him? We sure hope so.