NFL Exec: Giants' Singletary Will 'Produce as Much' as Saquon Barkley at Cheaper Rate

While the feeling among New York Giants fans was sadness when Saquon Barkley left to join the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency, at least one league executive thinks Big Blue will be fine with Devin Singletary as their lead running back.

The anonymous executive told The Athletic's Mike Sando that Singletary will "produce as much as Saquon did for them at a fraction of the cost."

Barkley got a three-year, $37.75 million deal from the Eagles after playing last season on the franchise tag.

The Giants responded by signing Singletary to a three-year, $16.5 million deal that could end up being worth $19.5 million.

Barkley is undeniably a bigger name and more exciting player. He comes with the pedigree of being drafted No. 2 overall and winning Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2018. The Penn State alum racked up more than 1,200 yards from scrimmage in four of his six seasons with the Giants.

Singletary is consistent from year to year, though he lacks the excitement and explosiveness that Barkley possesses. He has put up between 956 and 1,099 yards from scrimmage in each of his five NFL seasons.

Another benefit for the Giants is Singletary has been more durable in the NFL than Barkley. He's only missed one game over the past three seasons. Barkley has missed at least three games in four of the past five seasons.

For a Giants team that's probably one or two years away from being a viable playoff contender in the NFC, investing in a cheaper running back who might be able to provide similar production to what they have been getting isn't the worst strategy.

This doesn't help sell to New York fans that the most exciting offensive player on the team is now playing for arguably the Giants' biggest rival, but if the front office has a plan in place to build up the roster, Barkley's departure will be easier to handle in the near-future.