The New York Giants are beginning to ponder a backfield without running back Saquon Barkley. The Giants are in the mix on a potential re-sign but are also looking at other options, such as Tony Pollard and Austin Ekeler.
The valuer for investment in a running back could cost a swell amount of $10 million
Beyond Pollard and Ekeler, Josh Jacobs, who led the league in rushing yards in 2022, is a free agent along with Derrick Henry and D’Andre Swift. Reports tell how players in a lower tier at the position “could interest the Giants at a much more respectable price,” with Zack Moss, Devin Singletary and Alexander Mattison specifically listed.
Perhaps Pollard or Ekeler may hit the sweet spot of giving the Giants a ready-made replacement for Barkley while not going beyond the soft monetary limit they’re setting.
Pollard ran for 1,000 yards for the second straight year in 2023, though his yards per carry fell from 5.2 to 4.0. He at least reaffirmed he can be a feature back in his first full season as the Dallas Cowboys’ primary ball-carrier.
Ekeler, meanwhile, is trending in the wrong direction. He turns 29 in May after having set a career low for yards per carry (3.5) and totaled his fewest yards from scrimmage (1,064) since 2020. He nonetheless remains an effective pass-catcher, and his poor rushing totals could be attributed in part to the injuries across the Los Angeles Chargers offense.
Either would be a logical candidate to succeed Barkley.
