NFL executive says Giants will see no drop-off from Barkley to Singletary

New York Giants running back Devin Singletary. Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

NFL executive says Giants will see no drop-off from Saquon Barkley to Devin Singletary

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 4/4/24

Aside from the blockbuster trade for premier edge-rusher Brian Burns, the most notable part of the New York Giants' offseason has been the team letting two marquee players go in running back Saquon Barkley and safety Xavier McKinney.

Barkley signed with the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles while the Giants replaced him with 26-year-old Devin Singletary — a move one anonymous NFL executive believes won’t produce much of a drop-off in production, if at all.

“Saquon is a good back, but you are talking about a running back,” an NFL executive told The Athletic. “Singletary is going to produce as much as Saquon did for them at a fraction of the cost.”

.@BobPapa_NFL and @ShaunOHara60 break down Devin Singletary's game tape ️ pic.twitter.com/J2a54bY5Rq
— GiantsTV (@GiantsTV) March 27, 2024

Though Singletary is a productive running back, it’s a bit far-fetched to believe the Giants can lose a back the caliber of Barkley and replace him with one who’s never rushed for 900 yards in a season and expect the offense to not be worse off.

Barkley has three 1,000-yard seasons under his belt, and he rushed for more than Singletary last season (962 yards to 898), scored more total touchdowns (10 to four) and caught more passes (41 to 30) for more yards (280 to 193), despite playing in three fewer games.

Though he’s not on Barkley’s level, Singletary is coming off the best season of his career. He set new career highs in carries (216) and rushing yards, and 2023 was the third straight season he reached 1,000 or more yards from scrimmage.

Singletary has never thrived in a lead-back role, but he has totaled 150 or more carries plus 30 or more receptions each of the last four seasons. He could be a solid addition who may give the Giants as much as three-quarters of the production they got from Barkley.

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