Could Giants' Eric Gray eventually replace Saquon Barkley?

Perhaps the New York Giants did find an eventual replacement for star running back Saquon Barkley during the 2023 NFL Draft, after all. 

For a piece published Monday, Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic named the Giants grabbing Oklahoma Sooners running back Eric Gray with a fifth-round pick among his "favorite selections" of this year's draft class. 

"When everyone departed from the Senior Bowl, I told myself that this would be a draft in which a back like Gray would get pushed into Day 3," Baumgardner explained. "He probably should have had a third- to fourth-round grade, but I also wouldn’t have taken him much higher than the fourth given all the RB talent. In another year (and maybe even last year), he’s a third-round pick easy. The Giants, who still have the best three-down RB1 in the game, added a terrific change-of-pace option in Gray. The Oklahoma product can catch, has wiggle and runs low to the ground." 

Pro Football Talk's Josh Alper noted that Gray accumulated 1,366 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns across 213 carries to go along with 33 receptions for 229 yards last college season. Barkley, New York's most important offensive player for the 2022 NFL campaign not named Daniel Jones, combined 1,312 rushing yards and 10 scores on the ground with 57 catches for 338 yards. 

After the Giants used the non-exclusive franchise tag to retain Barkley's rights for 2023, some suggested that general manager Joe Schoen could spend a first-round draft pick on a running back and then rescind the tag to let Barkley test free agency. Barkley remains away from the club because he hasn't yet signed the tag, and Schoen said last week he'd like to work things out with the 2018 first-round choice if the sides can agree to "a deal where both parties are happy with where you end up."

If no agreement is reached before the July 17 deadline for teams to sign tagged players, Barkley would find himself on track to play on the $10.091M franchise tender for 2023. Alper pointed out that "Gray could be part of a fresh start in the (Giants') backfield once the 2023 season comes to an end" depending on what happens with Barkley through July 17. 

Fair or not, executives around the NFL routinely pay quarterbacks and wide receivers while they utilize inexpensive running backs who are on rookie contracts. Gray may not be as physically gifted as Barkley, but the first-year pro could receive opportunities to impress if the two-time Pro Bowl selection doesn't sign the franchise tag through the bulk of the summer.