The New York Giants allowed star running back Saquon Barkley to sign with a division rival in free agency this offseason and must find a way to rebuild his production in the aggregate.
Though the Giants signed Devin Singletary to a three-year deal in free agency this offseason, one NFL analyst believes they should still look at adding more depth to the backfield.
In proposing trade ideas, Ryan Fowler of Bleacher Report floated a potential deal that would see the Giants acquiring Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris.
Fowler proposed the Giants send a 2025 sixth-round and a 2026 fourth-round pick to the Steelers in exchange for Harris.
For the Giants, GM Joe Schoen enters the summer with obvious talent at the running back position. The team added Devin Singletary via free agency, Eric Gray is in year two and Schoen also added depth by selecting Tyrone Tracy Jr in the fifth round this spring. However, there is no more Saquon Barkley and continuing to explore talent via all avenues would be wise of the Giants’ GM. Especially if the Giants want to remain competitive in 2024.
Harris would be a great fit in the locker room, and the media would have a blast with his eccentric personality.
But this would be a questionable move for an organization that clearly misread Barkley’s market in free agency — for better or worse.
Sending two draft picks (even on Day 3) for a running back entering his age-26 season isn’t a move general manager Joe Schoen seems keen on making.
He already made it clear in the “Hard Knocks” premiere that the age cliff at running back (around 27 years old) is something they heavily consider when making decisions.
On top of that, the Steelers declined Harris’ fifth-year option, which means he’s a free agent after this season. The Giants aren’t a running back rental away from a championship.
Harris is a solid running back who can play serviceably on all three downs. He’s gone over 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first three seasons but has done so mostly on high volume, averaging 3.9 yards per carry along the way.
But with so many other needs at positions such as cornerback, safety and offensive line, this is a move that would be highly questionable.