Free-Agent Running Back No. 1
Saquon Barkley
2023 Team: New York Giants
If the Vikings want to go big, there is no bigger name on the free-agent market than Saquon Barkley.
The second overall pick in the 2018 draft, Barkley began his career with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons for the New York Giants but has just one 1,000-yard campaign over the past four seasons.
At age 27, Barkley is approaching the end of the life span for running backs but believes he’s still one of the league’s top backs.
Had it not been for a series of injuries, the Giants would have been more receptive to giving Barkley the lucrative contract he has been seeking as opposed to the one-year deal he reached before camp.
This could clear the path for a high-dollar, short-term deal for Barkley’s services. Over The Cap suggested Barkley’s value at $7.9 million this season and if the Vikings have the cap space, it could be worth bringing him in for a year or constructing a two-year deal with the opportunity to work out a new deal next offseason.
It’s not a long-term solution but Barkley would be a way for Minnesota to go all-in for 2024.