Pro Football Focus is not sold on the New York Giants offensive line or their wide receivers headed into the 2023 season, but the same can not be said for their running backs.
While PFF ranked the Giants’ O-line and receiver corps near the very bottom of the league, they recently ranked Big Blue’s running backs among the best in football.
8. NEW YORK GIANTS
The Giants backfield isn’t quite as dependent on Saquon Barkley as the Raiders are on Jacobs, but he still accounted for 313 of the 406 attempts by running backs for the team in 2022. After injuries had slowed his career since 2020, Barkley was all the way back last year. He ranked fourth in the NFL in rushing yards and was 10th with an 84.9 PFF rushing grade. Backup Matt Breida was fine when called upon too, forcing 11 missed tackles from 61 carries.
Saquon Barkley is the superstar name but Matt Breida is more than capable if not a bit underrated. Gary Brightwell is also a talented back who contributes on special teams and then, of course, there’s rookie fifth-round pick Eric Gray.
The Giants have positioned themselves to not rely so heavily on Barkley, allowing him to avoid the over-usage that zapped his energy early last season. It will be more of a running back-by-committee approach in 2023 with Barkley leading the charge.
