With a rough start to the 2023 season, the New York Giants might need to hit the reset button. After five weeks the GMEN are last in the NFC East, sitting at 1-4. After making the postseason last year for the first time since 2016, general manager Joe Schoen decided to bring back star running back Saquon Barkley on a one-year deal.
Last season, the former Penn State star was one of the top players in the league — fifth among running backs in yards from scrimmage, with 1,650. Barkley also reached the endzone 10 times in 2022.
New York would need a miracle to make the postseason again, which means Schoen could be inclined to be a seller. Barkley and the front office had a contract dispute over the offseason, and New York hesitated to give him a long-term deal.
It would make sense for the Giants to move on from Barkley, as they might need to rebuild for a bit. Outside of the former second-overall pick, New York's roster lacks talent.
Numerous contending teams would love to acquire the 26-year-old running back. If Schoen decides to put him on the block, he could get a massive return. Here are three teams that should be calling the Giants for the two-time Pro-Bowler.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the surprise of the NFL season right now, as Baker Mayfield has them sitting at 3-1. No one expected them to be first in the NFC South after losing Tom Brady, but they're looking like a legit playoff contender.
Mayfield has seven touchdowns and just two interceptions through the first five weeks. If he continues to play at a high level, Tampa Bay could sneak into the postseason. With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin by his side, Mayfield could generate production.
The one thing the offense lacks is a rushing attack. Tampa Bay even has a lights-out defense, but they could use one more strong point. If they were able to snag Barkley from the Giants, they would have one of the best offenses in the NFC.
Right now they don't have enough cap room to bring him in, but we all know how GMs can make cap adjustments quickly. If Tampa Bay feels like they can make a run for it, they should be on the phones right now.
Acquiring Barkley would make them a dark horse team to win the Super Bowl. They look like a good football team, but the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles exist. Outside of those two, the NFC is wide open.
The Bucs could instantly become the third-best team on paper and would have a legit shot to beat the Niners or Eagles. They have an elite defense, two top receivers, and a reliable QB. The missing piece could very well be Barkley.
2. Los Angeles Rams
After a terrible 2022 season, the Los Angeles Rams are playing some good football this season. They sit at 2-3, but they're hosting the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday. Matthew Stafford should be able to lead the Rams to a Week 6 win, as Arizona has the 28th-ranked defense right now.
Having a quarterback like Stafford gives Los Angeles a shot at the postseason, as he is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. The Rams also have an elite receiving room, with Puka Nacua looking like a rising star. This past week, Cooper Kupp also had 118 receiving yards in his return from injury.
They have a much better outlook this season than last, so they should consider being buyers at the deadline. Imagine what head coach Sean McVay could do with Barkley joining the offense.
Through the first five weeks, the Rams are fifth in passing yards. They are also eighth in total yards, but the issue is that they're 22nd in rushing yards. Los Angeles has one of the best offenses in the league, even with a struggling running game. If they took Barkley off New York's hands, they would be right up there with the top teams in the NFC.
1. San Francisco 49ers
Now I know exactly what you're thinking. Why would the San Francisco 49ers trade for Barkley when they already have Christain McCaffrey? Well, why not? They have the most cap space in the entire NFL, so they could easily afford to bring in the Giants star.
It also gives San Francisco insurance in case McCaffrey gets hurt, as he has a history of missing games. Even though the former Carolina Panthers running back hasn't missed a game since 2022, he could get hurt at any given moment.
Not only is it just insurance that it would provide, but it would make them better. Just imagine what Kyle Shannahan could do with Barkley and McCaffrey, not to mention Deebo Samuel, Brandon Ayuik, or George Kittle.
With the cap space San Francisco has and the fact that Barkley would only be a rental, it would actually make sense for them to call the Giants. Building a superteam in the NFL is uncommon. Some would say that the 49ers already have a super team. If they traded for Barkley, they would certainly be a super team.
