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NFL Pro Bowl: First-Timer Projections For All 32 Teams

By Erik Lambert

ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 22: O.J. Howard #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on October 22, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 22: O.J. Howard #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on October 22, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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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) /

New York Giants

Saquon Barkley . 23. player. 31. . RB. New York Giants

Is it really okay to have that much faith in a rookie? Yes, for a few key reasons. Start with the most obvious. Barkley is one of the most talented running backs to come out of college in the past 10 years. Not only is he a tremendous runner on the ground with a rare mix of power and speed, but he’s also effective in the passing game as a receiver. The New York Giants have seen his type before back when Tiki Barber was doing his thing.

The other is the clear shift in offensive identity. GM Dave Gettleman wants to build a team in the old school style. That means running the ball and playing good defense. Adding Will Hernandez and Nate Solder to the offensive line was a big step in that direction. They want to run the ball which means Barkley is going to get fed early and often. Combined with the threats in the passing game, everything shapes up for him to be a hit right from the start.

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