Most No. 2 overall picks in the NFL Draft usually come into their rookie year with a lot of expectations. But Saquon Barkley should have even more so heading into his first season. Aside from being the second pick, Barkley also has the added weight of being the highest running back taken in a long time, coupled with the fact that he’s playing in New York.
But those factors don’t appear to faze the young Giants running back, who told Steve Serby of the New York Post in a recent Q&A that he doesn’t feel any pressure heading into his rookie season.
“No,” Barkley answered when asked whether he feels any pressure. “People expect me to be this, be that. Obviously, people shape a career for me, or shape what I should be. But I already have a high standard for myself. I really don’t feel pressure from no one at all.”
The Giants should certainly be glad that Barkley doesn’t feel overawed by the spotlight he’s under. Playing in New York brings intense scrutiny, which could potentially break young players who aren’t wired mentally to handle the pressure. But it doesn’t appear as if Barkley will suffer from that problem.
Barkley should also benefit from playing alongside the established stars like Odell Beckham Jr. and Eli Manning, who will take some of the spotlight off him on offense. That should allow him to ease into the offense at the start of the season and eventually grow into his role as the year goes on.
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