Ex-1,000-yard rusher among five potential Saquon Barkley replacements for Giants

Over the past three-plus years, Breida has been sparingly used on offense, never eclipsing 59 carries. However, his production during his 2017-2019 run in San Francisco was impressive (381 carries, 1,902 yards, five yards per carry.) 

Gray is a shifty fifth-round rookie out of Oklahoma who showcased his wheels on a 14-yard punt return against the Cardinals. He'll need to improve in pass protection to earn meaningful snaps. For now, expect him to serve in a change-of-pace role. 

James Robinson | free agent

Robinson is a former 1,000-yard rusher with the Jacksonville Jaguars who spent the summer with the Giants. Despite failing to make New York's 53-man roster, Robinson led all Giants running backs with 74 rushing yards in the preseason.   

The 25-year-old hasn't been the same player since suffering a torn Achilles in 2021. Still, he's a back who knows the system and could presents upside the further removed he gets from his career-altering injury. 

Cam Akers | In Los Angeles Rams doghouse

While you could make a case that free agents Leonard Fournette and Kareem Hunt are better short-term solutions, Akers presents long-term appeal the other two don't. 

With Barkley playing on a one-year franchise tag and once again hobbled by injury, trading for the cheaper and younger (24) Akers could be the catalyst for a much more drastic shift in New York's backfield come the offseason. 

Akers was horrendous in his lone showing this season, averaging 1.3 YPC on 22 attempts. However, he ranked second in the NFL with 410 rushing yards over the final three weeks of the 2022 season, averaging 5.5 YPC. 

Ronald Jones | free agent

On Monday, the Cowboys released Jones after serving a two-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances. As a vested veteran, Jones is not subject to waivers, making him eligible to sign with a team immediately.  

The two-time Super Bowl champion was an afterthought in the Kansas City Chiefs backfield last season. Yet, Jones totaled 2,130 rushing yards as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2019-2021. His 978 yards rushing in 2020 ranked 12th in the NFL.