After a brutal 1-4 start to the season, the Giants may have to start making decisions with an eye towards the future. With that said, some difficult decisions are going to be made, specifically surrounding Pro Bowl running back Saquon Barkley.
Will Barkley still be with the team once November rolls around? He has missed the past three games due to an ankle injury and the G-Men could be in no rush to bring him back now that they're 1-4. Barkley and the Giants were unable to come to terms on a long-term contract extension this offseason, which has left many wondering if this could be his final season in New York.
With the season spiraling out of control and the Giants being reluctant to give Barkley a lucrative contract, the team could be open to the idea of trading him and recouping any value they can rather than letting him leave for nothing in free agency. Here are four Saquon Barkley trade destinations if the G-Men and Joe Schoen decide to become sellers before the upcoming NFL trade deadline:
4. Miami Dolphins
During the offseason, the Dolphins were linked to multiple high-profile running backs such as Jonathan Taylor and Dalvin Cook. It’s clear the front office was prepared and willing to make a splash move to address the running back position and now that they’re 4-1 and looking like a legitimate Super Bowl contender, they could push their chips all in for this season and trade for Barkley.
According to CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson, the Dolphins were willing to offer Taylor a lucrative contract extension if they acquired him from the Colts via trade. If that’s the case, it makes sense that the 'Phins would be willing to acquire Barkley and give him the long-term contract Schoen has been hesitant to based on the previous reports from Anderson.
However, while Barkley would make for an exciting addition to this backfield, there is a case to be made that they don’t need Barkley or any other big-named running back the way they thought they did during the offseason. They currently lead the NFL in team rushing yards per game (185.8) thanks to veteran tailback Raheem Mostert and emerging rookie sensation De’Von Achane. Even though Achane is reportedly set to miss some time with a knee injury, Giants fans got a close look at what the duo is capable of last Sunday when they combined for over 200 rushing yards.