Five potential landing spots for Saquon Barkley in free agency

A year after begrudgingly being franchise-tagged, Saquon Barkley was spared the same fate for the 2024 season.

Multiple reports indicate that the Giants declined to tag Barkley before Tuesday's deadline, allowing the seventh-year running back to hit the open market.

Since being drafted No. 2 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, Barkley is one of three running backs with at least 5,000 rushing yards and 2,100 receiving yards (Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara).

Here are five teams that should consider signing him during free agency.

5. Chicago Bears

The Bears are expected to select a quarterback at No. 1 overall, and adding Barkley could take an enormous strain off their rookie. The former Penn State star would run behind an ascending Bears offensive line. Last season, the unit ranked second in ESPN's run-block win-rate (RBWR) rankings, helping the team's backs gain 2.9 yards before contact, the league's third-best mark.

4. Baltimore Ravens

Like the Bears, the Ravens have a talented offensive line that would be intriguing for any running back. Baltimore's unit finished fifth in RBWR, and Barkley could instantly make an impact for a Ravens squad with a hole in their backfield. 

JK Dobbins, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 1, and Gus Edwards, who led the team in carries (198), yards (810) and scrimmage touchdowns (13), are free agents. And while general manager Eric Decosta recently expressed interest in re-signing both, neither has the same talent as a receiver as Barkley, which could open up more possibilities for two-time MVP Lamar Jackson in the passing game.

3. Los Angeles Chargers

Improving the run game was a top priority noted by head coach Jim Harbaugh during his introductory news conference, and signing Barkley would probably get him closer to crossing that off his to-do list.

With Austin Ekeler set to test free agency and wideouts Keenan Allen and Mike Williams entering the final seasons of their contracts, Barkley could be a consistent weapon for quarterback Justin Herbert over the next three to four seasons.   

2. Dallas Cowboys

Running back Tony Pollard is an unrestricted free agent, and what better way for the Cowboys to stick it to their division rival than by tapping Barkley as his replacement? After three excellent regular seasons with nothing to show for it, Dallas needs to take bold action to become a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Barkley could also be a boost to an offense that might move on from wideouts Brandin Cooks and Michael Gallup this offseason.

1. Houston Texans

The Texans are the most sensible option for Barkley, considering their roster construction makes fitting Barkley's contract easier than other top potential destinations. Quarterback C.J. Stroud, EDGE Will Anderson Jr. and wide receiver Tank Dell all have at least three years left on their rookie contracts, so Houston won't have to worry about Barkley's contract impacting raises for its talented young core.

He'd also fit nicely on the field, too. Stroud just had arguably the best rookie season by a quarterback in NFL history. Per Stathead, he's the only first-year quarterback to throw for at least 4,000 yards with five or fewer interceptions and one of five ever, joining Russell Wilson (2019), Alex Smith (2017), Patrick Mahomes (2019) and Aaron Rodgers (2014, 2018-21).

Stroud's remarkable season is even more impressive due to Houston having the league's 22nd-ranked rushing attack. The team's leading rusher, Devin Singletary, is an unrestricted free agent, while second-year back Dameon Pierce struggled mightily after an impressive rookie season, averaging only 2.9 yards per carry.