Getty The New York Giants have already agreed to replace Saquon Barkley with a free-agent RB who's played for head coach Brian Daboll.
The New York Giants didn’t wait long to replace Saquon Barkley in 2024 NFL free agency, agreeing a deal to sign veteran running back Devin Singletary from the Houston Texans on Monday, March 11. Singletary enjoyed a career year in 2023 and played for Giants’ head coach Brian Daboll with the Buffalo Bills from 2019-21.
An agreement between the Giants and Texans was reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
A further update from ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed the Giants will hand Singletary “a 3-year, $16.5 million deal worth up to $19.5 million.”
This agreement arrives on the heels of Barkley jumping ship to NFC East rivals the Philadelphia Eagles. The Giants wouldn’t pay Barkley, but the Eagles gave the two-time Pro Bowler “a three-year, $37.75 million contract that could be worth up to $46.75M and includes $26M fully guaranteed at signing,” per Schefter.
Former Giants RB Saquon Barkley reached agreement with the Philadelphia Eagles on a three-year, $37.75 million contract that could be worth up to $46.75M and includes $26M fully guaranteed at signing, per sources.
Barkley now beats the franchise tag number and has a maximum…
While Singletary knows the Daboll playbook well, he can’t match Barkley’s track record for production. Nor his power between the tackles.
Devin Singletary Has Tough Act to Follow
Singletary’s familiarity with Daboll’s offense gives him an early advantage ahead of what’s going to be a tough act to follow. Barkley rushed for 5,211 yards, 35 scores and 236 first downs during six seasons with the Giants, per Pro Football Reference.
Singletary can’t match those numbers, but he has topped 800 yards on the ground in each of the last three seasons. The first of those campaigns came in 2021 when Daboll was offensive coordinator for the Bills.
Daboll featured Singletary, but it wasn’t until the latter joined the Texans last offseason that his production increased. He consistently performed above expectations, according to Next Gen Stats.
Defying expectations will be the key to Singletary helping Giants fans forget about three-time 1,000-yard rusher Barkley. Even then, Singletary will need help.
Giants Need More to Replace Saquon Barkley
Singletary alone won’t be enough to adequately compensate for being without Barkley. The Giants will also need further additions to the depth chart.
The next addition could come via the draft, per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan. He believes combining Singletary with a rookie, “rather than a big investment” is what “seems likely to fill the position.”
Since general manager Joe Schoen opted against giving Barkley the big bucks for the last two offseasons, it makes sense he won’t splash the cash to find a successor for No. 26. Yet, the Giants could still dip back into the veteran market for an experienced bargain fit for a versatile rushing committee.
A proven commodity like Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who’s won two Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs, makes sense. So does a natural pass-catcher like Edwards-Helaire’s teammate Jerick McKinnon. There’s even a true power back like AJ Dillon still available for what is likely a modest fee.
No matter what type of back the Giants choose, they can’t stand still after signing Singletary. Not when Barkley’s chief backup, veteran Matt Breida, is also a free agent.
The Giants need to cast a wide net to help Singletary replace Barkley. Using more options might even help Daboll and coordinator Mike Kafka expand the offense.