Saquon Barkley to Free Agency: Cowboys' Pollard Replacement?

The New York Giants will not use the franchise tag on Saquon Barkley, placing the rusher on a potential path to the Dallas Cowboys.

One of the Dallas Cowboys' most prominent NFC East rivals is seemingly out of the New York groove.

Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the New York Giants will not use the franchise tag on running back Saquon Barkley, more or less officially paving his path to free agency. 

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Barkley, 27, has endured a rollercoaster NFL tenure since arriving as the second overall pick in the 2018 draft. He has been one of the league's more potent dual-threat talents ... when healthy ... though the Giants' rediscovered struggles on the offensive line doomed him to an average carry of only 3.9 yards last season and he felt short of four digits in yardage with 962 in 14 games.

Price tag and durability might be called into question thanks to the ongoing debate around running backs' value and purpose in the modern NFL but Barkley should have no shortage of suitors now that he's on his way to negotiations. Some have pegged the Cowboys as an ideal destination after Barkley's fellow free-agent-to-be Tony Pollard struggled in his first season as the Pokes' undisputed top rusher. 

“When you’re looking at free agency, the first thing you do is say, ‘If we’re going to go outside our building, who can we get in the division to help us and hurt our opponent?'” former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum said on ESPN’s Get Up last month. “Trust me, the last thing the New York Giants want to see, if Saquon Barkley graduates this year, is him with a star on the side of his helmet.” 

Saquon Barkley 'Needs' to Sign With Cowboys in Free Agency

While he averaged over 4.8 yards a carry against America's Team, Barkley historically struggled against the Cowboys, scoring only three touchdowns in 10 meetings, all of which ended in Dallas' favor. 

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