5 Saquon Barkley replacements the NY Giants can target in 2024

2. Derrick Henry

The 2024 free agent class is on pace to be historic. Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, Austin Ekeler, Tony Pollard, Jonathan Taylor, and Barkley are all NFL stars and are set to become free agents next offseason. That is likely not good for these running backs; the supply is rich, so the contracts will all be diminished.

If the Giants don't sign Barkley and want to stay in the star running back market, they could pivot to Henry. Henry will be three years older than Barkley next offseason, so he will likely demand fewer years and less money on his contract.

Henry is a backfield monster and the NFL's best power running back. Throughout 102 career NFL games, Henry has 8,335 yards on 1,750 carries and 78 rushing touchdowns. Henry played just eight games in 2021, the fewest of his career, yet still recorded 937 rushing yards. Missing half of the season and still producing like a top-five running back is ridiculous, and demonstrates that Henry has elite value despite his climbing age.

Can you imagine watching this in the Giants backfield?