Fansided

Each NFL team’s biggest reason to be excited in 2018

By Brad Berreman

BEREA, OH - JULY 30: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass during a training camp practice on July 30, 2018 at the Cleveland Browns training facility in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
BEREA, OH - JULY 30: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass during a training camp practice on July 30, 2018 at the Cleveland Browns training facility in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Rich Graessle-Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Rich Graessle-Icon Sportswire/Getty Images /

New York Giants – Saquon Barkley

Last season was pretty much a disaster all the way around for the Giants, amid some key injuries (Odell Beckham Jr.), the awkward end to Eli Manning’s consecutive start streak and the midseason firing of overmatched head coach Ben McAdoo.

But a 3-13 record also put them in a rare position, with the second overall choice in April’s draft and plenty of directions they could go with the pick. A successor for Manning? A defensive player? Maybe a trade down? No, no and no. The Giants chose to address a lame offense (15.4 points per game last year; second-worst in the league), and the league’s 26th-ranked rushing attack more immediately, by taking Penn State running back Saquon Barkley.

Barkley was a multi-purpose weapon in college, accounting for 53 total touchdowns (43 rushing, eight receiving, two kickoff returns) while averaging 5.7 yards per carry, 11.7 yards per catch and 6.5 yards per offensive touch overall. He also set the NFL Combine on fire, with a 4.4 40-yard dash and off the charts athletic measurements.

If you’re looking for a team to bet on for a rebound this year, the Giants are a solid pick. There’s a new head coach in place (Pat Shurmur), but the No. 1 source for buzz and excitement in Big Blue country for 2018 is clearly Barkley.

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