Saquon Barkley’s unresolved long-term contract situation means that the New York Giants have to prepare for the possibility that Barkley will be gone in 2024. Even his status for 2023 is uncertain given reports that he will not sign the franchise tag before OTAs. Nick Falato has written about possible Day 2 options for the Giants to select a running back in this year’s draft. If the Giants address other positions in the first three rounds of the draft, though, running back may have to wait until Day 3. Who might be available then?
Running back is a devalued position in the NFL because of the emergence of the passing game in the past 10-15 years, fueled by rule changes that protect quarterbacks and receivers and innovative offensive concepts by the NFL’s best coaches.