Over his last 15 games, New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley has averaged 102.3 yards from scrimmage per game. But that has of course come over two seasons, as he most notably missed 14 games in 2020 due to a torn ACL.
The Giants, including Barkley himself, have been vague about his availability for Week 1. But with the season opener nearly a year removed from his injury in Week 2 last year, it’s been a strong likelihood he’ll suit up even if his snaps are limited. Unless…
Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Giants will “likely” see Barkley by Week 3. And no one has “completely ruled out” Week 1. For fantasy managers who have already used a first-round pick on him, even a hint he’ll miss the first two weeks is a buzzkill. Which inspires a question….
Fantasy Football: Who is Saquon Barkley’s backup?
After signing Devontae Booker this offseason, Giants’ general manager David Gettleman had this to say about him.
As a rookie with the Denver Broncos in 2016, Booker rushed for 612 yards and four touchdowns along with 31 catches for 265 yards and another score. Those remains his career-highs for rushing yards and total touchdowns in a season, as he played a career-best 46 percent of the snaps. He had two 30-plus catch seasons in 2017 and 2018.
READ MORE: Fantasy Football: What to expect from Saquon Barkley in 2021
Barkley’s ADP (via Fantasy Football Calculator) currently sits at RB7 and pick 1.07 or 1.08 in 12-team leagues across the board (standard, half-PPR, full PPR). He’s been a risky first-round pick as it is. That risk has now been turned up a little more.
Booker is the fantasy handcuff to Barkley, with an ADP of RB59 (pick 14.01) in 12-team half-PPR right now (FF Calculator). Those who have drafted or end up drafting Barkley in leagues with at least 12 teams, if they didn’t already, have to have Booker on their radar as a RB4/RB5 now.
