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New York Giants: Top 5 breakout player candidates for 2018

By Sayre Bedinger

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Saquon Barkley of Penn State poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #2 overall by the New York Giants during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Saquon Barkley of Penn State poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #2 overall by the New York Giants during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions carries the ball as he is brought down short of the goal line by Tegray Scales #8 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the first half on September 30, 2017, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions carries the ball as he is brought down short of the goal line by Tegray Scales #8 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the first half on September 30, 2017, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

1. Saquon Barkley, RB

The Giants’ top breakout candidate is this team’s prized young rookie, Saquon Barkley.

Barkley was as dynamic at Penn State as I have ever seen a running back coming out of college, showing an incredible work ethic off the field in the weight room and translating that to on-field success.

Barkley is such a strong player with the ability to cut on a dime and accelerate past the second and third level of defense with relative ease.

Barkley didn’t take every run 20 yards downfield with defenders draped all over him, and he was somewhat unfairly criticized for negative runs at Penn State prior to the NFL Draft. There doesn’t seem to be too much reason for concern.

Next: Ranking the top 32 QBs in the NFL for 2018

This is a special talent and a player that can have an instant impact for the Giants, not unlike the instant impact we’ve seen from other young running backs in recent years like Kareem Hunt in 2017, Ezekiel Elliott before him, and Todd Gurley/David Johnson before him.

Barkley is going to be a star, and it isn’t likely to take long.

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