Saquon Barkley, Xavier McKinney, Giants Free Agents' Projected Contracts | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

The Giants handed star running back Saquon Barkley the franchise tag last offseason after failing to secure a long-term extension. While Barkley responded with another injury-impacted season, he was still New York's most consistent offensive player when healthy.

Now, tagging Barley for a second straight season is reportedly under consideration. According to The Athletic's Dan Duggan, the Giants tagging Barkley is viewed as a "realistic possibility" by one source.

After being tagged last season, though, Barkley would likely prefer more long-term security—though, obviously, the tag decision is out of his control. He'll likely find it if he escapes the tag, either from New York or another team.

Despite missing three games in 2023 and averaging just 3.9 yards per carry, Barkley still amassed 1,242 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns.

Spotrac projects Barkley's market value at $9.9 million annually, and while that's a fair price, it may be a tad high. The problem for Barkley is that the 2024 free-agent RB class is deep. If teams are unwilling to pay him roughly $10 million per year, they'll have the option to pivot to running backs like Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, D'Andre Swift and Tony Pollard instead.

This should keep Barkley's contract from skyrocketing, though he should still land that long-term security.

Contract Projection: Three Years, $26 Million with $14 Million Guaranteed