Last year this time, the New York Giants were preparing for their first season without Saquon Barkley as their feature running back.
One year later, Barkley is sporting a Super Bowl ring wth the Philadelphia Eagles and was ranked as the No. 1 running back in the NFL in the latest breakdown by ESPN.
"Barkley's Super Bowl-inspired run in 2024 harkens back to then-New York Giants GM Dave Gettleman taking serious heat for selecting a running back with the second overall pick despite plenty of good quarterbacks available in the 2018 draft," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler wrote. "Barkley was just that good. And just maybe, that pick wasn't so bad and Gettleman looks smart?"
The Giants, meanwhile, didn't have a running back appear on ESPN's top 10 list, nor did a Big Blue runner snag an honorable mention.
In fact, New York's running back depth chart is so middling that none of their backs -- namely, Tyrone Tracy -- even received a vote from the NFL executives who were polled for the piece.
As the 2025 NFL season quickly approaches, the Giants will lean on Tracy and rookie Cam Skattebo to carry the load in the running game. Whether it's veteran Russell Wilson or rookie first-round pick Jaxson Dart at quarterback, New York will need a strong rushing attack to have any chance of competing in the NFC East this season.
