Who’s New York Giants’ Saquon Barkley’s NFL Comparison?

Let’s get this out of the way first and foremost, not a single NFL running back can be compared to New York Giants‘ Saquon Barkley in regard to his measureables, but maybe his skills. Scratch that, his skills are so diverse and impeccable that we must compare each one individually to a specific running back.

Now, I understand that Barkley hasn’t even stepped on an NFL field yet nor taken a snap, but based on what we have seen so far, he’s preparing to blow up the entire league.

Skill #1 – Agility:

One of Barkley’s most explosive weapons is his agility. His low center of gravity and powerful lower body allows him to stop on a dime and jump cup to dismiss opposing tacklers. Providing the offense and Eli Manning with a running back that can open up the game in the blink of an eye will change the way defenses approach the Giants’ offense.

Who does Barkley compare to in regard to this skill, though? Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson fits the bill. His immense ability to shake defenders in in close-quarters and change directions instantaneously offers tremendous value to his quarterback and fellow teammates. Here’s a clip to show you what both Johnson and Barkley are capable of:

Skill #2 – Strength:

While Barkley has been coined a “scat-back” by some, his power is one of his most underrated traits. As stated before, his strong lower-body allows him to make quick decisions and stop on a dime – it also helps him power through tackles and keep his legs churning when tacklers are draped over him.

This reminds me of Ezekiel Elliot, who can barrel into the opposing defense and push forward for extra yards. Barkley has the ability to do this and will often be asked to in the I-formation the Giants tend to run.

It will be interesting to see if they play out of the shotgun more frequently, rather than reverting back to the I-formation that Manning is used to. This will be a big part of head coach Pat Shurmur’s game-plan.

Skill #3 – Vision:

One of the most important traits for any running back is their vision, as finding holes no matter how small is what is needed to turn a short gain into a big one. Barkley has the power and vision to exploit even the smallest of gaps, but patience is also essential. For this specific skill, we will compare him to LeVeon Bell.

Bell is one of the most patient a backs in the league, as he makes his living on waiting for the right moment to explode through the line and pick up extra yards. He uses his blockers to his advantage, and with an upgraded line for Barkley, we should expect to see much of the same.