How Much Will Texans Prioritize Signing a Running Back in Free agency?

With rumors surrounding Giants' Saquon Barkley, how much will the Houston Texans prioritize signing a running back in free agency?

HOUSTON — New York Giants' Saquon Barkley headlines a star-studded free agency class that features several of the league's top running backs. And according to several reports, Barkley is a favorite to land with the Houston Texans.

Barkley's projected market value is $10.0 million for the upcoming season, a realistic value the Texans can meet due to their projected $69.9 million in cap space. According to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post, the Giants are unlikely to franchise tag on Barkley for a second consecutive season.

Landing Barkley would give the Texans a chance to add a marquee player. However, the potential arrival of the All Pro running back would help the Texans meet their most significant need of the off-season. 

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) is shown on the field after the game, Sunday, January 7, 2024 :: Kevin R. Wexler / USA TODAY NETWORK

"I think the running game will be significant for us to improve upon," coach DeMeco Ryans said. "I think as you see as you go throughout this game, especially in the postseason, teams that win games – you’ve got to be able to run the football and sustain it. And we weren’t able to accomplish that versus the [Baltimore] Ravens, and it showed up. 

"We [definitely] have areas to improve – many different areas – but the run game is one of those areas."

Before the start of the 2023 season, the thought of the Texans prioritizing a running back in free agency appeared laughable. The future seemed bright for then-starting running back Dameon Pierce, who nearly rushed for 1,000 yards as a rookie in 2022.

Unfortunately for the Texans, Pierce experienced a significant decline. As a result, Devin Singletary gave Houston a significant boost in their rushing attack midway through the season. They struggled to run the ball until Singletary rushed for a career-best 150 yards during their Week 10 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 12.

Re-signing Singletary would be a solid move for Houston. But bringing in a high-profile running back like Barkley would not only boost the Texans' rushing attack. But the acquisition would also allow Singletary to utilize his attributes more as a pass catcher and someone who can help improve Houston's blocking.

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Barkley has established himself as one of the league's top running backs since he entered the league as the No. 2 pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. He has rushed for over 1,000 yards in three of his six years in the league.

Other running backs the Texans could consider when improving their offensive backfield are Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard.