NFL Exec: Saquon Barkley 'Would Be Christian McCaffrey' If with 49ers over Giants

As New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley approaches free agency, some around the league believe he'd benefit in a big way from a better supporting cast.

ESPN's Jordan Raanan reported some NFL executives feel that Barkley's lackluster 2023 season was partly attributed to the lack of talent around him in New York, and he'd be a more productive player in a different system.

"If he was in San Francisco, he would be Christian McCaffrey," one pro personnel director told Raanan. "He hasn't had an offensive line, ever, in New York."

Barkley rushed for 962 yards and six touchdowns while adding 280 receiving yards and four more scores last season. However, Raanan pointed out that the Giants' offensive line ranked 31st in run block win rate in 2023.

While Barkley is one of the most skilled running backs in the league, the market for the position just isn't what it used to be. Raanan reported that the consensus from league executives is that the 27-year-old's "worth is in the range of $10 million per year."