Home NFL Potential trade destinations for Saquon Barkley

Potential trade destinations for Saquon Barkley

179

What is the best trade destination for Saquon Barkley?

The New York Giants illustrious running back Saquon Barkley has failed to make the Pro Bowl since his rookie season (2018). Barkley has shown his unique ability in the NFL, but he has been very injury-riddled in each of the past two seasons. The Giants RB missed 14 games in 2020 and then sat out four games in 2021.

Barkley is only 25 years old, so many football minds in the league could see untapped potential in the former Penn State ball-carrier. There has been speculation that a team could seek a trade for Barkley and the Giants could agree to ship out their RB. CBS Sports also suggests that the Giants should trade Barkley. If the Giants traded Barkley out of the Big Apple, it would free up $12 million for the Giants. The Giants could say goodbye to Barkley and the veteran tight end Evan Engram this offseason.

If the Giants ship out their well reputable RB, where could Barkley be traded? Well, here are a few potential suitors that may fall in love with the idea of having Barkley.

Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills could be aggressive to acquire stars in 2022, just as the Los Angeles Rams traded for numerous prominent profiles in 2021. I expect the Bills to try and land Christian McCaffrey or Saquon Barkley. Although, I expect the Giants RB could be easier to land from the rebuilding New York Giants squad than CMAC from the Panthers team looking for a QB in the Tom Brady-less NFC South.

The Bills starting RB from 2021, Devin Singletary, isn’t a top-shelf RB like Joe Mixon, Derrick Henry, or Josh Jacobs. It’s also clear they were relying on Josh Allen’s legs in more than they should, as he logged 122 rush attempts last season. Barkley can demand a hefty load and be the long-term RB that the Bills offense needs.

New York Jets

The New York Jets wouldn’t be a sexy landing spot for Barkley, but the Giants neighbor would be a very ideal landing spot for him. Robert Saleh needs to strike on a big offensive profile or two this offseason. The Jets should grab an offensive lineman, especially with Mekhi Becton’s recent demise in 2021. I’d still like the Jets to bring in a gifted profile at RB or TE to help the young, struggling Wilson progress well.

The Jets could add an enormous talent in Barkley and the Jets offense could really look impressive on paper. Barkley and Michael Carter would be a fantastic RB duo, while Corey Davis and Elijah Mitchell can be playmakers from the WR position.

The Jets also have fantastic draft picks and the fifth-most cap space in the NFL, so they should be aggressive at the bottom of the pit. Barkley and Wilson would be a special QB-RB tandem for years to come.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs were heavily relying on Jerick McKinnon to be a threat for his offense in 2021. McKinnon is a free agent and former first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire has fallen flat in the NFL. The Chiefs could go all out for a talented RB to slot into their offense featuring Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, and Patrick Mahomes.

The Chiefs struggled twice in the second half against the AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals. Barkley can help the Chiefs decompose defenses like Cincy and help the Chiefs offense become more well-balanced.

Andy Reid has tried the Le’Veon Bell, LeSean McCoy, Edwards, and McKinnon experiment. He needs a franchise RB and they could strike on Barkley or CMAC this offseason. The Chiefs might be cap-strapped, but if they don’t bring back the Honey Badger, they could have more resources to land a RB. Reid also might hold a first-round pick that is more tempting to trade away, as they sit in the back of the first round.

Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins have Tua Tagovailoa, Jaylen Waddle, but they have a missing link at the RB spot. The Dolphins were 30th in rushing yards per game and 31st in rushing yards per attempt last season. Miami has Duke Johnson Jr. and Myles Gaskin, but neither RB is a potent pure RB. Phillip Lindsay is also on the roster, but he will look to head elsewhere in the upcoming free agency period. The bright Mike McDaniels should hit the ground running and attempt a trade for the star Saquon. McDaniels, who is a Kyle Shanahan disciple, will really want to get creative in the rushing attack.

The Dolphins won seven games in a row last season, but it didn’t prove to be enough for the Dolphins in the frigid AFC East. Barkley can be the spark that Tua and McDaniels need in 2022. The Dolphins also have the “most cap space in the NFL”, so they will look to add a few additions this season in free agency and potentially via a trade.

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell might be the most popular 3-13 head coach in NFL history. Nonetheless, Campbell needs to bring a significant boost to the Lions in 2022 and show that there is hope for a playoff berth within a few seasons.

The Lions have T.J. Hockenson and a talented all-purpose RB in D’Andre Swift. If the Lions can obtain an elite offensive weapon like Barkley, the Lions could have a nice seat for a rookie QB in 2022 or 2023. Jared Goff was a pleasant bridge QB in 2022, but he’s not the long-term QB in Detroit.

Campbell needs to have a talented, young QB and a very competitive roster in Motor City soon. The Packers have the best QB in the league in Aaron Rodgers, the Bears have Justin Fields, and the new-look Vikings will look to get back to the playoffs. The Lions need to add the right QB and a couple of big additions. Similar to the Jets, they have amazing cap space (fifth-most cap space) and the golden ticket in round one and round two. If the Lions obtain Barkley and a rookie QB this offseason, the Lions offense would look light years ahead of their 2021 offense.

Related Articles

NFL

Conference Championship Picks

We’re down to the last four teams of the 2024-25 NFL season....

NFL

3 Things to Watch in the Championship Round

We are now down to the final 4 with a trip to...

NFL

Does Kenny Pickett Give the Eagles the Best Chance to Win the NFC Championship Game?

As we prepare for the huge NFC Championship matchup between the Eagles...

LatestNFL

Divisional Round Picks

And then there were 8. We have a lot of good matchups...