Giants Don't Use Franchise Tag On Saquon Barkley

The New York Giants are not using the franchise tag on impending free-agent running back Saquon Barkley again, according to a source. It means that Barkley will hit the open market next week and will be one of the top free agents in a very good running back class this offseason. The franchise tag for the second straight year on Barkley would have cost the Giants $12.1 million in 2024. The 27-year-old probably won't reach that mark in free agency, but he could come close. The former first-rounder (second overall) in 2018 out of Penn State missed three more games due to injury in 2023 and really didn't have much of a chance behind an atrocious offensive line in New York, finishing with 962 rushing yards and six TDs on 247 carries, adding 41 catches for 280 yards and four more scores. Barkley's 2024 fantasy value will be more clear once we know where he's playing, but as of right now he projects to be a risk/reward low-end RB1.