Here Is Where NFL Analysts Are Saying Saquon Barkley Could Play Next Season
Any team in the NFL would be a better squad with Saquon Barkley on the roster. One of the many hard questions the New York Giants have to deal with this offseason is what will happen with #26. In addition, it’s one of the subjects NFL experts have been discussing and many think Saquon Barkley may not be back next season.
Losing him would be a huge mistake. Barkley was the clear bright spot in an awful Giants offense this past season. In fact, his final stats were quite impressive. Barkley racked up 962 yards and six touchdowns in 2023. Keep in mind, this was behind an offensive line group that struggled, to say the least, all season.
Here are some of the circumstances surrounding the Barkley situation right now. He played on the franchise tag for the 2023 season. In short, this means he needs a new deal to remain the Giants. Either the team franchise tags him again (one-year deal), or they negotiate a new multi-year contract. Keep in mind the two sides were not close to an agreement last offseason. Now, if neither of those two scenarios happen, (Barkley does not want to be tagged), he will be a free agent. Obviously, that means he is free to go and sign elsewhere.
Here Is Where Some NFL Analysts Suggest Would Be A Good Fit For Saquon Barkley
Texas does not have a state income tax. There are two NFL teams down there that would benefit from adding Barkley. Many of the NFL analysts on ESPN’s Get UP suggest the Houston Texans would be a great potential landing spot for Barkley. Host Mike Greenberg threw out the NFC East rival Dallas Cowboys as a potential good fit.
The Texans’ scenario is certainly interesting. With rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud having a phenomenal first year, the future is bright in Houston.
Barkley turns 27 years old this week. Unfortunately, in the new age NFL, that is on the older side for running backs. Nonetheless, Barkley is arguably one of the best overall running backs and human beings the Giants organization has ever had. He’s been clear on his desire to want to be a Giant for life. However, he understands it’s a business, and now he needs to make the best business decision for himself. It would be a complete shame to see him in another uniform.
3 Potential NFL Draft Destinations For UNC's Drake Maye
On Wednesday, December 27, North Carolina will play their last game of the season in Charlotte (Duke’s Mayo Bowl vs. West Virginia). With Drake Maye being one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL draft, it’s time to take a look at three potential landing destinations for the star quarterback.
UNC is coming off a 8-4 record this season. Although his statistics were not as high as last year, Maye still had an incredible year, throwing for 3,608 yards and 24 touchdowns. At just 21 years old, Maye is the ideal size for a NFL quarterback, standing 6 foot 4.
2024 Draft Class
Many of the top players have still to officially declare for the draft. Yet, the expectation is that all the names we are seeing atop the mock draft boards will be moving up to the next level. There have been eyes on this year’s class for a few years now. That’s largely due to the generational quarterback pool.
USC’s Caleb Williams is a safe assumption to be the first overall pick. That’s where things can get tricky. The Carolina Panthers currently have the worst record at 1-11. However, due to last year’s trade, the Chicago Bears own their pick. Do the Bears need or want a QB? They just drafted Justin Fields. Of course, we still have the NFL combine, player pro days, and team meetings ahead of us. Much can change in that time. Still, I believe Maye will be the next quarterback taken after Williams.
To further emphasize how deep (and potentially special) this class is, three of the four Heisman Trophy finalists this season are quarterbacks. None of them are named Caleb Williams or Drake Maye (Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr.)
Come April, we can see as many as 10 NFL teams in need of a new quarterback. Here are three NFL teams that have a good probability of selecting in the top five picks of the NFL draft, where Drake Maye will likely be taken.
Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.