Could the Baltimore Ravens make a play for New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley ahead of the Oct. 31 NFL trade deadline?
Former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky thinks the Ravens should absolutely try and land Barkley over the next week.
Orlovsky went as far to say that Baltimore would be an essential lock to battle the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game if it were able to add Barkley.
The Ravens could certainly use another halfback, as lead back J.K. Dobbins tore his Achilles back in Week 1, knocking him out for the remainder of the season. Gus Edwards and Justice Hill have filled in admirable in Dobbins’ stead, but neither player is a featured back.
Barkley, on the other hand, is unquestionably a No. 1 running back who would instantly improve a Baltimore offense that relies heavily on its ground game.
Of course, the Giants would have to be willing to move Barkley in order for this to happen.
New York general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll met with Barkley ahead of the Giants’ Week 7 matchup with the Washington Commanders and told the 26-year-old that the team intends to keep him. That was also before Big Blue pulled out a win over the Commanders, so if anything, their stance on Barkley may be even more solid now than it was then.
Still, a world exists in which it makes perfect sense for New York to trade Barkley.
The Giants were unable to reach a long-term agreement with the Penn State product before the season, meaning that Barkley will hit free agency in the spring.
New York does not seem willing to pay Barkley what he wants, so the club may very well end up losing him in the offseason.
A lot may ride on what the Giants end up doing this weekend against the New York Jets. If the G-Men lose and fall to 2-6, they may end up reconsidering whether or not they want to move Saquon Barkley.
The Ravens have also been rumored to be interested in Tennessee Titans halfback Derrick Henry.
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