Introduction
Saquon Barkley was chosen as the 2nd overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft and has consistently delivered strong performances. Despite being hindered by injuries; he has showcased his capabilities. Over the past two seasons, he has missed a substantial number of games, including most of the 2020 season due to a torn ACL. Since Barkley joined the Giants, the team’s record stands at 34-64-1, which is far from impressive. Barkley received the franchise tag last year, but the Giants have officially decided not to do the same this year. So, he will now become a free agent and have the opportunity to join a new team.
Despite team and injury challenges, Barkley, a two-time Pro Bowler, remains a remarkable player and should have no trouble securing a deal with a new team. Presently, there are five teams that could potentially acquire Barkley through free agency and unlock his full potential as a running back.
Potential Landing Spots
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans exceeded expectations last season, with rookie C.J. Stroud delivering an outstanding performance and leading the team to the playoffs. Despite falling short of the Super Bowl, the season was an impressive achievement. However, a notable weakness throughout the season was the absence of a strong running game. While the passing game flourished, the running backs Dameon Pierce and Devin Singletary struggled to make an impact on the ground, even against teams with weak run defenses. The wide receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell both had exceptional seasons, and tight end Dalton Schultz performed adequately. Therefore, the primary areas for improvement on offense are the run game and the offensive line. Acquiring Barkley could significantly enhance the Texans’ offense and might even propel them to the Super Bowl next year, addressing the key deficiency they experienced this season.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers had a rather mediocre season this year, with a mix of good and awful games. They seemed to hover between being a bad team and a good team, never quite excelling. The team faced significant challenges with injuries at wide receiver, resulting in Keenan Allen and their fourth-string player becoming the starting duo. However, there is potential for improvement in the upcoming season if they can recover from these setbacks. Austin Eckler, the Chargers’ starting running back, has been a top choice for fantasy football in recent seasons. Nonetheless, he did not perform as well this year, showing signs of reduced speed and strength. With Eckler set to become a free agent, the Chargers may consider pivoting to acquire a more effective ground game running back like Barkley. Notably, Barkley also excels as a receiving back, offering the Chargers an opportunity to seamlessly integrate him into their offensive strategy.
Dallas Cowboys
This is a challenging situation given the animosity between Cowboys and Giants fans. It’s uncertain how fans would react to Barkley joining the Cowboys. However, the Cowboys could greatly benefit from adding Barkley to their roster. With his explosive running and pass-catching abilities, he could fill the gap left by the underwhelming performance of Tony Pollard, who is set to become a free agent. Although Barkley previously played for the Giants, his addition to the Cowboys could prove to be extremely advantageous.
Chicago Bears
Like the rest of the teams mentioned, the Bears faced challenges at running back last season. With the Bears aiming to enhance their quarterback lineup in the upcoming draft and requiring a comprehensive rebuild, they might opt to enlist Barley as their running back instead of selecting a rookie. Although this could pose challenges, incorporating Barkley or another seasoned, high-caliber running back would undoubtedly prove advantageous for the team.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens dominated last season, emerging as a popular pick for the Superbowl Champions during the regular season. Despite this, they fell short, losing to the Chiefs in the conference finals. While the team excelled on offense, there is room for improvement at the running back position. Historically a running back committee team, acquiring a star RB would revolutionize their playing style. By utilizing a single exceptional player who excels in both running and pass-catching, the team could reach new heights. Barkley has the potential to be that game-changing player, and if the Ravens secure a deal with him, they will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with next year.
Final Thoughts
After thoroughly assessing all the options, it is clear to me that each of these teams stands to gain significantly from Barkley joining their ranks. However, I am firmly convinced that the Texans would reap the greatest benefits and are also the most likely to secure a deal with him. Barkley’s preference is to join a formidable team with a high-octane offense. The Texans demonstrated their ability to meet these criteria with their standout performance last season, needing only a star running back to complete their lineup. I am certain they will make him an irresistible offer, paving the way for the Texans to reach the conference finals next year.
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