The New York Giants have a decision to make soon. Star running back Saquon Barkley is due a new contract after his first five seasons in the league. If you ask one Giants player though, the team shouldn’t try replacing him through the NFL Draft, especially with a late-round pick.
CBS Sports draft analyst Dan Schneier floated the possibility of the team balking on a second contract for Saquon. In the tweet, he wrote, “RB talent abundant on Day 3 of drafts.” This, in itself, suggests the team could make a pick on another college back in the 2023 NFL Draft and get similar production anyway.
The thought drew reaction from plenty, including one current player on the team. New York wide receiver Darius Slayton went on the defense for Saquon on Twitter.
“Are you insinuating that Saquon Quadriceps Barkley Sr. Can be replaced with a Day 3 pick in the draft…you should lose a thump for typing such blaspheme,” Slayton tweeted.
Are you in insinuating that Saquon Quadriceps Barkley Sr. Can be replaced with a Day 3 pick in the draft….you should lose a thumb for typing such blaspheme https://t.co/VxogHol9RR
— Darius Slayton (@Young_Slay2) January 30, 2023
This seems to fall under a category that’s been permeating in the NFL for some time. “How much should a team value its running back?” There are pros and cons to each side of the argument. Still, it is a pretty wild claim. Barkley may be on the precipice of falling off, but he also might not. It’s a risk the Giants have to account for, but he’s also one of the leaders on the team.
How the Giants approach this will be a big storyline this offseason. But it’s clear after today that one player doesn’t think they should get rid of Saquon anytime soon.
