X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Join the Best Live Fantasy Chat Community!

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


LINEUP RESOURCES

Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Starts and Sit
Daily Fantasy
Who To Pickup
Fantasy Updates
24x7 News and Alerts

Why Saquon Barkley Should Be the 1.01 Pick

This might come off as crazy but hear me out. Yes, Christian McCaffrey had one of the best fantasy running back seasons in PPR history last season but Saquon Barkley should still be drafted ahead of him in 2020.

2019 was tumultuous for Barkley and the New York Giants. They officially transitioned from the face of their franchise to a first-round rookie QB midseason and Barkley sustained a high-ankle sprain in the third game of the year. Barkley missed the next three games and performed uncharacteristically from Weeks 7-14. He carried the ball 117 times for 373 yards, resulting in a meager 3.19 yards-per-carry and caught 30 passes on 42 targets for 218 yards. He scored twice during this stretch and the Giants lost every single game (albeit, due to more important factors like a mistake-prone rookie QB, mediocre O-Line, and porous defense).

The most damning performance throughout this abysmal two month period was a 13-carry, ONE-yard game against the New York Jets. The Jets had one of the best defenses versus the rush last year (2nd in DVOA) but that is no excuse for Barkley's performance. But 2020 can be a bounce-back campaign for Barkley. Here's why he should be the first pick in 2020 fantasy drafts.

Featured Promo: Get any full-season NFL Premium Pass for 50% off and win big in 2023. Exclusive access to our Premium articles, 15 lineup tools, new Team Sync platform, Lineup Optimizer, Premium DFS tools and cheat sheets, and much more! Sign Up Now!

 

Saquon Barkley: The Real 1.01

By no means is it incorrigible to select Christian McCaffrey first-overall. He has not missed a game throughout his illustrious three-year career and has seen at least 100 targets (with an incremental increase) each season. McCaffrey is also the lone-wolf in that backfield. The Panthers do not have a true back-up RB who steals opportunities. Reggie Bonnafon, a former QB, is listed on their depth charts as the RB2 but it would not shock me if Curtis Samuel took over for a chunk of opportunities if need be. Nevertheless, CMC is a premier option and by no means am I suggesting to pass on him further than the first pick.

The issues that come to mind with CMC are the changes to the offense and the overall outlook for the Carolina Panthers heading into 2020. They have officially moved on from former league MVP and first-overall pick, Cam Newton to Teddy Bridgewater (more like Bridge-QB-Water lol). Furthermore, the Panthers acquired a brand new coaching staff from the college ranks by signing Baylor Head Coach Matt Rhule to a long-term deal and bringing in young phenom Joe Brady from National Champion LSU to coordinate the offense.

Joe Brady comes from Sean Payton's tree and will instill a pass-heavy offense to Carolina, which will look incredible when they have the proper personnel to properly run it. Did McCaffrey perform well with Kyle Allen of all people? Absolutely. But there was a stretch of a month in 2019 where teams were essentially blind-sided by Allen and he flukily did not turn the ball over and played relatively well.

At the moment, the Panthers have one of, if not the worst offensive line in the NFL. They let go of both starting guards Trai Turner and Greg Van Roten while trading for oft-injured LT Russell Okung. For the time being, their Matt Paradis signing is looking poor given his only season in town last year and their guard replacements are John Miller and Dennis Daley, both downgrades from last year's starters (who in their own right were just average at best).

Taylor Moton is the only above-average piece on the line unless 2019 second-round pick Greg Little steps up or soon-to-be 33-year-old Okung returns to form. The Panthers did not draft a single lineman this year and while CMC's best work is not done between the tackles, his rushing ceiling is lower. Carolina's OL ranked 11th in adjusted line yards (via Football Outsiders) in 2018 and 17th in 2019. This year will most likely be even worse.

The poor offensive line mixed with Teddy Bridgewater's immobility is a huge concern. While Bridgewater will be forced to get the ball out of his hands ASAP to short-area receivers like McCaffrey, there is certainly a concern that the offense as a whole will be towards the bottom of the league despite having several talented receivers on the field in D.J. Moore, Curtis Samuel, and Robby Anderson. It is difficult to pinpoint how effective this offense can be along with the upside. Brady will certainly spread things out well with plenty of 11-personnel and motioning McCaffrey out wide like he did Clyde Edwards-Helaire but will any of that matter given Bridgewater's personal limitations and low time to throw? Bridgewater's passes had the lowest air yards per target in the league last year and that was behind a top-five Saints offensive line.

Lest we forget, just two years ago, in Barkley's rookie year (McCaffrey's sophomore season), he was the RB1 in PPR formats right ahead of McCaffrey. Barkley was basically the entire Giants' backfield that year and ranked 1st in open-field yards (gains at least 10 yards beyond the line of scrimmage). That was with an immobile Eli Manning and significantly worse offensive line. According to Football Outsiders, the Giants' adjusted offensive line yards ranked 25th in 2019 and 29th in 2018. They just drafted NFL-ready tackle Andrew Thomas fourth-overall and added upside in rookies Matt Peart and Shane Lemieux. Lemieux is rumored to be in the mix to start at center, which would fill the biggest hole at the moment. If there's one thing general manager Dave Gettleman can get right, it's finding talent across the offensive line over time.

Barkley was the second-overall pick in the 2018 draft for a reason. He was rightfully heralded as a "generational talent" given his elite mix of speed, size, athleticism, pass-catching, route-running, and vision/ability as a rusher. That did not go away overnight. While the sprain may have lingered throughout a chunk of 2019, he should be fully healthy heading into this season. Barkley started to look a LOT more like running back that was coveted going into last season in the last month after he was more comfortable on his ankle. Re-aggravation is a risk though and probably the most valid reason to keep him ranked 2nd across fantasy drafts but you play to win the game and Barkley has the highest upside of any running back year in, and year out moving forward if healthy for the next half-decade at least.

If you have the chance, take Barkley first overall and do not look back.

More Fantasy Football Analysis




LINEUP RESOURCES

Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Starts and Sit
Daily Fantasy
Who To Pickup
Fantasy Updates
24x7 News and Alerts

ROTOBALLER PLAYER NEWS

Daniel Bard6 hours ago

Still Off Monday
Blake Sabol6 hours ago

Made "Fantastic Impression" This Spring
Anthony Rendon6 hours ago

On Fire This Spring
Tyler Anderson6 hours ago

Wraps Up Strong Spring Monday
Miguel Rojas7 hours ago

' Two-Strike Approach Leading To Success
Akil Baddoo7 hours ago

Optioned To Triple-A Toledo Monday
Zach McKinstry7 hours ago

Tigers Acquire Zach McKinstry Monday
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander8 hours ago

Questionable Versus Charlotte
Ja Morant8 hours ago

Doubtful Versus Orlando
Terry Rozier8 hours ago

Out Again On Tuesday Evening
Gordon Hayward8 hours ago

Unlikely To Play Against OKC
Daniel Gafford8 hours ago

Dealing With A Sore Foot
Kyle Palmieri8 hours ago

Records Three Points Monday
Monte Morris9 hours ago

Uncertain For Tuesday Night
Kyle Kuzma9 hours ago

Remains Out Versus Boston
Triston McKenzie9 hours ago

Could Be Out Up To Eight Weeks
Gustav Forsling9 hours ago

Scores Twice Despite Florida Loss
Bradley Beal9 hours ago

Sidelined Again On Tuesday
Nico Hoerner9 hours ago

Cubs, Nico Hoerner Agree On Three-Year Extension
Brady Tkachuk9 hours ago

Logs Two Points In Ottawa Win
New England Patriots9 hours ago

Jerod Mayo To Be Bill Belichick's Successor?
Buffalo Bills9 hours ago

Taylor Rapp Signs One-Year Deal With Bills
Jarrett Stidham9 hours ago

Broncos Think Jarrett Stidham Has Starting Potential
Gardner Minshew10 hours ago

To Compete For Starting Job
Mac Jones10 hours ago

Not Guaranteed To Start In 2023
Samaje Perine10 hours ago

Could Fill In As Starter
Justin Herbert10 hours ago

Chargers Confident They'll Keep Justin Herbert Long Term
Joe Musgrove11 hours ago

Throws In B Game Monday
Michael Brantley11 hours ago

Timeline Moved Back
Jose Altuve11 hours ago

Could Go On 60-Day Injured List
Christopher Morel11 hours ago

Optioned To Triple-A
Ezekiel Elliott11 hours ago

Cowboys Open To Re-Signing Ezekiel Elliott
Rashod Bateman11 hours ago

Will Be Running In Three Weeks
Odell Beckham Jr.11 hours ago

Giants Open To Reunion With Odell Beckham Jr.
Saquon Barkley12 hours ago

Giants Hopeful Of Long-Term Extension With Saquon Barkley
Lamar Jackson12 hours ago

Commanders Won't Pursue Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson12 hours ago

Colts Pursuing Lamar Jackson?
Aaron Rodgers12 hours ago

No Timeline On Aaron Rodgers Trade
Jalen Hurts12 hours ago

Eagles Want To Get Extension Done With Jalen Hurts Soon
Fernando Tatis Jr.12 hours ago

Could Serve As Leadoff Man
Maxi Kleber12 hours ago

Questionable On Monday
Jrue Holiday12 hours ago

Ruled Out Monday
Logan O'Hoppe12 hours ago

Makes Opening Day Roster
Max Stassi12 hours ago

Jared Walsh, Max Stassi Opening On The Injured List
Marcus Morris13 hours ago

Sr. Sitting Out On Monday
Trevor May13 hours ago

Jeurys Familia, Dany Jimenez Options For Saves
Karl-Anthony Towns13 hours ago

To Sit Out On Monday
Triston McKenzie13 hours ago

Undergoes MRI Exam
Tyrese Haliburton13 hours ago

Won't Play On Monday
Myles Turner13 hours ago

Unavailable On Monday
Kyle Wright13 hours ago

Officially Placed On Injured List
Brice Turang13 hours ago

Makes Opening Day Roster
Chad Pinder13 hours ago

Signs Minor-League Deal With Nationals
Reilly Smith13 hours ago

Ruled Out For At Least Three Games
Erik Gudbranson13 hours ago

Won't Return This Season
Todd Gilliland13 hours ago

Impressive At COTA
Ville Husso13 hours ago

Could Be Done For The Season
Ty Gibbs13 hours ago

Finds His Footing At COTA
Robby Fabbri13 hours ago

Likely Finished For The Season
Detroit Lions13 hours ago

Calais Campbell To Meet With Lions
Troy Terry14 hours ago

Sits Out Monday's Game
Chris Buescher14 hours ago

Continues To Shine On Road Courses
Bryan Edwards14 hours ago

Joins Saints
Frank Vatrano14 hours ago

Returns To Ducks Lineup
NASCAR14 hours ago

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Finishes Seventh
DeAndre Hopkins14 hours ago

Deandre Hopkins Granted Permission To Seek Trade
Tage Thompson14 hours ago

A Game-Time Call For Monday
Brandon Aiyuk14 hours ago

49ers Planning To Exercise Brandon Aiyuk's Option
Brock Purdy14 hours ago

Viewed As Starter
Austin Cindric14 hours ago

Has A Solid Day
Lamar Jackson14 hours ago

Requests Trade
Jonas Johansson15 hours ago

Tends Twine Monday In Anaheim
Sergei Bobrovsky15 hours ago

In Goal Monday Against Ottawa
Ilya Sorokin15 hours ago

Starting Monday
John Gibson15 hours ago

Minds The Crease For Ducks Monday
Marc-Andre Fleury15 hours ago

Protects The Crease Versus Seattle
Buddy Hield15 hours ago

Listed As Out For Monday
Jake Allen15 hours ago

Between The Pipes Against Buffalo
Luka Doncic16 hours ago

Available On Monday
Giannis Antetokounmpo16 hours ago

To Sit Out On Monday
De'Aaron Fox16 hours ago

Available On Monday
Joel Embiid16 hours ago

Won't Suit Up Versus Nuggets
James Harden16 hours ago

On Track To Play Monday
Marlon Vera18 hours ago

Has Four-Fight Winning Streak Snapped
Cory Sandhagen18 hours ago

Dominates Striking Department
Yana Santos19 hours ago

Dominated In Decision Loss
Holly Holm19 hours ago

Dominates In Co-Main Event
Austin Lingo19 hours ago

Suffers Submission Loss
Nate Landwehr19 hours ago

Shines With Second-Round Submission Win
Andrea Lee19 hours ago

Suffers Defeat In Close Matchup Saturday
Maycee Barber19 hours ago

Takes Close Matchup On Saturday
Chidi Njokuani19 hours ago

Takes Close Loss In Split-Decision Showing
Albert Duraev19 hours ago

Holds Off Opponent In Tight Split Decision
Mikal Bridges21 hours ago

Goes Off For 44 Points Sunday
Viktor Arvidsson22 hours ago

Continues Scoring Surge Versus Blues
Tyson Barrie22 hours ago

Stays Hot With Two Points
William Byron22 hours ago

Rounds Out Top Five At COTA
John Tavares22 hours ago

Has A Three-Point Night Versus Nashville
Ross Chastain22 hours ago

Caught Up To Fourth At COTA On Sunday
Clayton Keller22 hours ago

Stretches Point Streak To 12 Games
Alex Bowman22 hours ago

Brings Home Third Place Finish At COTA
Kyle Busch22 hours ago

Scrambles Up To Second At Austin
Mikko Rantanen23 hours ago

Adds Two Points To His Tally
Tyler Reddick23 hours ago

Dominates And Wins At COTA
Jordan Taylor3 days ago

Making NASCAR Debut At COTA, Will Start 4th
Austin Cindric3 days ago

Excited To Showcase Speed At COTA This Weekend
Austin Dillon3 days ago

Starts 28th At COTA For Sunday
Ricky Stenhouse Jr3 days ago

. In Middle Of Pack For COTA
Denny Hamlin3 days ago

Rough Patch In Qualifying On Saturday
Kyle Busch3 days ago

Starts Ninth For COTA Race On Sunday
Kyle Larson3 days ago

Could Be A Wildcard On Sunday
Noah Gragson3 days ago

Finds Way To Qualify 10th At COTA
Brad Keselowski3 days ago

A Few Seconds Off the COTA Pace
Ryan Blaney3 days ago

Begins 38th For Sunday's Race At COTA
Chase Briscoe3 days ago

Just A Little Off At COTA On Saturday
Cory Sandhagen4 days ago

Can Earn Back-To-Back Victories
Marlon Vera4 days ago

Finds Himself In Main-Event Spotlight Saturday
Yana Santos4 days ago

Looking For Biggest UFC Win Of Her Career
Holly Holm4 days ago

Seeking First Victory Since 2020
Austin Lingo4 days ago

On Verge Of Three-Fight Winning Streak
Nate Landwehr4 days ago

Hoping For Third Straight Strong Performance
Maycee Barber5 days ago

Can Continue Her Flyweight Ascent
Andrea Lee5 days ago

In Need Of Victory To Keep Momentum Going
MMA5 days ago

Manel Kape On The Hunt For Fourth Straight Victory Saturday
Alex Perez5 days ago

Seeking First Victory Since 2020
Albert Duraev5 days ago

Can Rebound With A Victory
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF