Saquon Barkley has everything to prove with Giants in year four

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley looks to be on track to play in the 2021 season but the former No. 2 pick has everything to prove in year four.

Saquon Barkley lived up to the hype of being the No. 2 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft in his rookie season. The New York Giants running back torched the league as he rushed for 1,307 yards and 11 touchdowns while averaging 5.0 yards per attempt while also notching 91 receptions for 721 yards and four additional scores.

In his second season with New York, though, Barkley was slowed a bit with minor injuries and his performance showed that. In 13 games, he still hit 1,003 yards but his yards per carry dropped to 4.6 with only six touchdowns. Moreover, his receiving work declined with only 52 catches for 438 yards, down from 5.7 receptions per game to 4.0.

Then, of course, Barkley was limited to just one full game in the 2020 NFL season before suffering a torn ACL. As you’d expect, much of the focus has now been on his rehab to potentially return for the 2021 campaign, especially after the Giants aggressively upgraded the offense this offseason, notably signing Kenny Golladay and drafting Kadarius Toney.

Barkley, however, remains a key cog in what New York is trying to build around Daniel Jones. And if you look at his workout videos, it seems as if he’s on track to be back to himself this season:

He looks good and on his way to being healthy. But the running back has more to prove than you might think.

Saquon Barkley needs to prove he’s still the player he was as a rookie.

Despite his prodigious physical gifts and talent, the simple fact of the matter is that Barkley has been unable to recapture the success he enjoyed as a rookie with the Giants. He has undoubtedly showed flashes but the consistency of a dual-threat, all-purpose back that was drafted second overall hasn’t been there, even when he’s been on the field.

Back in 2019, one of the most frustrating things about Barkley was that he often appeared to be seeking the home-run play. Now, part of that was that the Giants needed those explosive plays and the running back was left to try and make it happen behind a paltry offensive line. But there is something to be said about simply running for the first down rather than trying to break off the big one.

The Giants have already picked up the fifth-year option of Saquon Barkley, meaning that he’ll be with the team at least through 2022. And considering that he was the No. 2 overall pick, it’s hard to think the franchise won’t already explore a second contract for the running back if he stays on the field and healthy.

However, if that contract is to be looked upon favorably, Barkley has to prove that he’s more than quads, highlights, and a fantastic rookie season. He needs to be a do-it-all workhorse that delivers results, especially with the improvements made on offense. And all the excitement in the world about his return isn’t going to change that fact.