ESPN recently put together a list of the top running backs in the NFL as voted on by players, coaches and scouts. This year is the third installation of the rankings and while New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley didn’t make the top 10, he did earn an honorable mention.
However, that came with a caveat. One NFL offensive coach gave Barkley an ugly review, claiming he has no idea how to be an actual running back.
Barkley was No. 1 on this list two years ago, but his decline has been precipitous. Injuries have cost him 22 games over four seasons, but that’s hardly the only issue with his game. In 2021, he produced just 593 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 162 carries.
“I’m down on him — he still doesn’t know how to play running back enough,” a veteran NFL offensive coach said. “He’s a bouncer. He wants every run to be a home run. He’s going to have to learn that 4-yard runs in this league are good, instead of stopping, cutting it back and losing 2. And he gets his ass kicked in protection.”
