The New York Giants have been searching for an efficient offense since they won the Super Bowl in 2011. It looks as though they have finally found their recipe for success in the form of rookie running back Saquon Barkley. Since entering the National Football League (NFL), Barkley has proven himself to be a force to be reckoned with on the field, quickly rising to the ranks of an elite running back. From his remarkable record-breaking accomplishments to his ferocious and determined playing style, Saquon Barkley is currently the centerpiece of the Giants’ offense and is primed to continue his excellence while leading the team to victory.
Highly Proven Out of the Gate
Prior to joining the Giants, Saquon Barkley took the world of college football by storm. During his time at Penn State University, he proved himself a remarkable asset, setting a new school record for most all-purpose yards over 40 games. Barkley was also a top-notch rusher, carrying the ball 671 times for an impressive 3,843 rushing yards and 43 touchdowns. Barkley’s personal best performance came when he ran for an unbelievable 201 yards against the Indiana Hoosiers, with an outstanding 7.29 yards per carry average.
These impressive numbers inevitably led to Barkley’s award of the Heisman Trophy following his junior year. Such an accomplishment meant that Barkley was part of an exclusive club: only one other Giants’ running back, Tony Dorsett, had won the honor. Barkley thus had a great deal to live up to when he was drafted to the Giants as the second overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Rocking the House As a Giant
Saquon Barkley has made an immediate impact as a Giant. In his rookie season, Barkley managed to set a single season franchise high of 1,307 rushing yards, breaking the record time and time again. Barkley also managed to accumulate over 2,000 all-purpose yards, becoming only the third Giant in franchise history to do so, joining Tiki Barber and Ahmad Bradshaw. Furthermore, Barkley successfully scored 15 touchdowns in one season, the most by a Giants’ rookie since 1965. Finally, Barkley’s 11 rushing touchdowns earned him the title of the team’s leading rusher in each of the last two seasons.
What has made Barkley’s on-field contribution’s truly remarkable is that he has accomplished it all while being only the third rookie in NFL history to play every snap over 16 games. Notable companions of Barkley to do so were Emmitt Smith and Eric Dickerson. All of these accomplishments have helped to solidify Barkley’s status as one of the most impressive players in the NFL.
All-Purpose Style of Play
Saquon Barkley is unique, not only for his record-breaking accomplishments, but also for his all-purpose, ruthless and determined playing style. When on the field, Barkley acts as a complete package, able to do just about everything.
As a runner, Barkley relies heavily on his mix of speed and agility to gash through opposing defenses. With a 40-yard dash time of 4.40 seconds and lateral agility of 7.08 seconds, few players boast a combination of speed and agility Barkley currently utilizes. His wide range of moves and quick decision making also makes him a nightmare to defend against.
An Adept Pass-Catcher
Not only is Barkley great at running the ball, but he is also a very capable pass-catcher. So far in his career, Barkley has received 118 targets, with an excellent catch percentage of 81 percent. His 88 receptions also lead all running backs since he was drafted. Also, Barkley has caught passes for an average of 9.9 yards, an impressive gauge of his big play ability.
Additionally, Barkley is a major threat in the open field. His blend of athleticism and strength makes it difficult for defenders to wrap him up. As a result, Barkley averages 8.3 yards after contact, the highest in the NFL. All of this makes Barkley a problem for opposing defensive coordinators; he is a constant threat to make plays in the passing game, and also has the speed to attack up the middle.
Ability to Change Games
Saquon Barkley’s true strength is his ability to single handedly change the course of a game. He has the ability to make something out of nothing, a trait that not many running backs possess. Playing in 14 of the Giants’ 16 games in his rookie season, Barkley averaged 2.8 clutch performance plays per game, the most in the entire NFL. Overall, Barkley made an astounding 42 plays of 10-plus yards and three plays of over 50-plus yards.
In the two seasons since joining the Giants, Barkley’s clutch plays have helped the offense generate crucial big plays, especial in needed quarters, such as the fourth. Even when the team finds itself buried in deficits, fans can always count on Barkley to put forth extra effort and make some plays to lead the Giants out of a hole.
The Future Is Bright
It is evident that Saquon Barkley is an incredible talent, without a doubt one of the NFL’s brightest stars. He has the ability to make something out of nothing, and is such an incredible asset at a position that can have a major impact on the outcome of a ball game. With his finesse and ferocity, Barkley has but the Giants in a position to not only have a winning season but potentially compete for the NFC East.
Looking ahead, Saquon Barkley’s future looks nothing but bright. He still has a few years remaining on his current contract, with many more likely to come. The Giants’ offense will remain efficient so long as Barkley is running the show, and there is no telling how many records he might break in the year to come. All in all, Saquon Barkley will continue to solidify his place as one of the most skilled, respected and feared running backs in the NFL. Go Giants!
