The New York Giants decided to draft their running back of the future, rather than their quarterback of the future, with the No. 2 pick in 2018. With Sam Darnold on the board, the Giants elected to go with Saquon Barkley. Many believed leading up to the draft that the Penn State product was a generational talent at the position. After one professional year, it is hard to argue against that.
Whether or not the pick was the right way to go with Eli Manning declining each year is irrelevant. When Baker Mayfield was selected first overall, the NFL world patiently waited to see if the Giants would go quarterback or running back. They ended up going running back because they felt he was too special to pass on. The Giants also believed that Manning could play for another year or two. They ended up drafting Daniel Jones with the sixth pick of the 2019 draft.
Barkley finished with 1,307 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in his rookie campaign. He added 91 catches for 721 yards and four touchdowns. With Odell Beckham now in Cleveland, Barkley will take over as the undisputed superstar of the Giants' offense.
The Giants are in the midst of a rebuild, but they are set at the running back position. They are expecting another big year from Barkley. Here are three numbers that Barkley could reach in his sophomore campaign.
3. 1,000
The first number Barkley could target is 1,000. This number would make history because he has the ability to reach 1,000 yards in multiple categories. Barkley finished 2018 with 91 catches. He proved to be a huge security blanket for Manning when his offensive line crumbled within a second. It is certain that he will reach 1,000 yards rushing if he stays healthy. Barkley also has the chance to do it in the passing game.
If Barkley can accomplish this feat, he will be the third running back in history to do so. The league is full of running backs who have a chance at this. David Johnson, Christian McCaffrey, and Alvin Kamara are just three of many. Barkley might be at the top of the list. The Giants love what he brings to their team and plan to give him the ball whenever they can. New York is not expected to make much noise in the NFC East this season, but their running back could make history by the end.
2. 100 Catches
Barkley finished his rookie season with 91 catches. He will be even more of a factor in his second season. The Giants offensive line is supposed to be improved, which will give them a chance to design plays for Barkley. With Beckham gone, it is not crazy to think that Barkley will become the No. 1 option in the pass game.
Last season, Carolina Panthers' running back Christian McCaffrey broke the NFL record for most receptions by a running back with 107. Matt Forte previously held the record with 102. Barkley and McCaffrey are similar backs. They both possess exceptional speed to go along with great hands and footwork.
Barkley had one game over 10 catches last season and three games with exactly nine. Expect him to finish with more double-digit reception games as the Giants will use him as a check down and in the screen game.
1. 20 Touchdowns
This is a combined number between rushing and receiving. The days of rushing for 20 touchdowns are over. LaDanian Tomlinson was the last to do so in 2006 when he broke Shaun Alexander's record with 28 rushing touchdowns. Todd Gurley led the NFL last season with 18 rushing touchdowns, and that was high in today's NFL.
In 2018, Barkley finished with 15 total touchdowns. He rushed for 11 while only catching four. His receiving touchdown number was surprisingly low for how much he was used in the passing game. Expect both numbers to rise this season. Barkley should reach 20 total touchdowns with relative ease. This means fantasy owners should be looking at Barkley as one of the first two or three players selected.
After a rookie season like Barkley had, it is hard to follow with the same success. Barkley is a different breed of player. His physical makeup and drive to be great makes him an all-around special football player. If healthy, Barkley will have just as good a season as 2018, maybe better.
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