New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley is entering an important season. The former No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft has already suffered through some ups and downs in his short career. As a rookie, Barkley recorded 2,028 yards from scrimmage, 15 touchdowns and won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award along with a Pro Bowl appearance. In his second season, he missed three games due to an ankle injury and then tore his ACL in the second game of 2020.
The Giants received criticism for drafting the Penn State star with the No. 2 overall pick because of the position he played, and that criticism will likely be something that follows the Giants and Barkley for his entire career. On Tuesday, Giants general manager Dave Gettleman said he "absolutely" still believes that Barkley was the right choice at No. 2 overall, and also said that the injuries he has dealt with over the past two years are just part of the job.
"Stuff happens," Gettleman said, via NJ.com. "Not everything's perfect, and there are guys all over this league who get hurt, big-time players. He's done a great job, and I feel the same way about him. He's different. And he's going to be ready to go when he's ready to go."
The Giants passed on a few very good players to select Barkley, even a couple of star quarterbacks who have evolved into some of the best signal-callers in the league.
It's generally accepted that running backs don't have the lengthy careers other players at different positions do, but Gettleman disagreed with that narrative -- saying, "I don't know that that's true." Granted, there are a few outliers such as Frank Gore and Adrian Peterson, but a running back's "elite" days are numbered compared to those of a quarterback, cornerback or receiver.
The Giants picked up Barkley's fifth-year option this offseason, which keeps him under contract through 2022. When healthy, he has proven he can be one of the best running backs in the league, and a showing in 2021 that is reminiscent of his rookie campaign would almost guarantee an extension from New York's brass.
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August 19, 2021 at 01:13AM
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Giants GM Dave Gettleman says he 'absolutely' still believes drafting Saquon Barkley was the right decision - CBS Sports
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