Saquon Barkley has proven that he can be an all-time running back if he can stay healthy for the New York Giants.
As he enters his third season with the Giants, Barkley revealed the two Hall of Fame running backs he models his game after.
“When you think of Walter Payton, if you see clips or highlights of his in-between tackles, outside tackles, catching, blocking, there are even times he’s throwing the ball. I’m not saying I can throw the ball as far as Walter Payton. I’m not hinting a trick play coming up,” Barkley said with a laugh, per Art Stapleton in NorthJersey.com, adding: “I truly believe that with my God given ability and the work that I put in, that I can be special in all phases. All phases, not just one dimensional. That’s something that I’ve been working on. I want to be elite in running the ball. I want to be elite in outside the tackles. I want to be elite in pass pro. Be elite in catching the ball. Those are things that I truly believe I can be, and those are things I’m going to continue to work for and strive to be.”
In his first two seasons, Barkley has shown the capability to be a versatile weapon in New York's offense. Despite his production thus far in his career, Barkley is striving to reach the level of both Payton and Faulk.
Following his impressive collegiate career at Penn State, Barkley burst onto the scene as a rookie in the NFL. In his rookie campaign with the Giants, he contributed 2,028 scrimmage yards and 15 touchdowns.
The former Nittany Lion would suffer an ankle injury early in 2019, causing him to miss three games last season. Nonetheless, he still finished with 1,441 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns.
Entering his third year in the NFL, Barkley is poised to bounce back in a big way for the Giants. And while the running back position is evolving in today's NFL, the one-time Pro Bowler is attempting to shape his game after some of the all-time greats at his position.
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