The New York Giants decided to move off Saquon Barkley this offseason but could look to replace the All-Pro running back and his production sooner rather than later.
After all, Barkley rushed for 35 touchdowns and caught 12 more receiving scores through his six seasons in a Giants uniform since being chosen No. 2 overall in 2018.
While general manager Joe Schoen and the Giants may not have been comfortable approaching the $37.75 million the Philadelphia Eagles will pay Barkley over the next three years, New York might ultimately regret moving forward with Devin Singletary, Eric Gray, and rookie Tyrone Tracey Jr. as a patchwork backfield by committee this season.
Meanwhile, there’s a franchise that could be looking to move off a productive veteran who still may have significant upside in a new situation.
Could New York Giants Trade for Pittsburgh Steelers RB Najee Harris?
This offseason, general manager Omar Khann and the Pittsburgh Steelers have seemed to telegraph that the franchise is ready to move on from running back Najee Harris, especially after Jaylen Warren’s emergence as a potentially explosive every-down back last season.
If the Steelers are intent on passing the torch, and make Harris available, Bleacher Report’s Ryan Fowler makes a compelling case that the Giants should trade for Harris. The swap makes Fowler’s list of proposals he believes will “transform” the league.
“For the Giants, GM Joe Schoen enters the summer with obvious talent at the running back position,” Fowler writes for B/R. “The team added Devin Singletary via free agency, Eric Gray is in year two and Schoen also added depth by selecting Tyrone Tracy Jr in the fifth round this spring. However, there is no more Saquon Barkley and continuing to explore talent via all avenues would be wise of the Giants’ GM. Especially if the Giants want to remain competitive in 2024.
“With questions to answer under center, providing relief to whomever leads the charge at QB in as many ways possible could be a major selling point for Schoen to make a move. While the team drafted WR Malik Nabers on Day 1 of the draft to add another playmaker on the outside for Jones, the only way New York will reach their performance ceiling this fall is by keeping teams off-balance and utilizing both phases of an offense.”
Under Fowler’s mock trade, the Giants acquire Harris in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2025 and a fourth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Giants would, of course, need to work out a long-term extension for Harris to make the trade palatable as a long-term solution.
But, given that Harris still seems to have plenty of tread on the tires, is coming off a career-high 1,200 rushing yards in 2023 while surpassing 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons, could prove to have significant value as a core piece of the Giants’ offense into the future.
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