Former GM explains linking Giants' Saquon Barkley to Cowboys

Former NFL general manager and current analyst Mike Tannenbaum explained during Tuesday's edition of ESPN's "Get Up" why he's convinced the Cowboys should target Saquon Barkley assuming the Giants let the star running back reach free agency in March. 

"He can catch," Tannenbaum said about Barkley during the show segment, per Ed Valentine of Big Blue View. "He can run. I think his pass protection has actually gotten better. Based on the way Tony Pollard played I actually think [Barkley] would improve that position for the 2024 Cowboys." 

Barkley finished this past regular season with 962 rushing yards, six touchdowns and an average of 3.9 yards per carry to go along with 41 receptions for 280 yards and four additional scores. To compare, Pollard went for 1,005 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns and an average of 4.0 yards per carry. He also contributed 55 receptions for 311 yards. 

Of course, Barkley repeatedly had to deal with poor performances from those tasked with opening holes for him and the fact that the 2023 Giants played three quarterbacks, including undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito, this past season. While the Giants finished at 6-11, the 12-5 Cowboys claimed the NFC East division title. 

Barkley was linked with Dallas back in January before multiple NFL writers predicted this week that Giants general manager Joe Schoen will not prevent the 27-year-old from becoming a free agent next month. Both Barkley and Pollard are among the recognizable running backs who could be available in free agency, and Tannenbaum seems to believe Barkley would be an upgrade for a Cowboys team that allegedly is "all in" on competing for a Super Bowl next season. 

Darryl Slater of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com mentioned for a piece published Tuesday morning that the Giants aren't a win-now team — in fact, some are convinced the club could spend the sixth overall pick of this year's draft to land a replacement for quarterback Daniel Jones. Dallas may not be able to outbid certain suitors for Barkley's services, but one wonders if the 2018 first-round draft choice could offer advertised contenders a discount to chase a Super Bowl ring.