NFL franchise tag 2023: 10 players most likely to be tagged

6. Top Franchise Tag Candidates – New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley

It can take running backs a while to get back to pre-injury form after ACL surgery and Barkley was a prime example of that. After a sluggish 2021 campaign, Barkley bounced back in a big way in 2022, averaging 4.4 yards per carry and rushing for over 1,300 yards to help the Giants get back to the playoffs for the first time in six years.

Barkley was the most explosive player on a very talent-deficient Giants’ offense and lived up to the hype that made him the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 draft. Head coach Brian Daboll also came up with creative ways to get Barkley involved in the passing game, utilizing him as a weapon to get Barkley the ball in space.

The tremendous value the franchise tag provides for running backs would make the tag an excellent option for New York to keep its star running back in the fold for another year. The complicating factor is that the Giants may need to use the tag on quarterback Daniel Jones if the two sides can’t agree to a long-term contract prior to the start of free agency.

If Jones has a new deal by then, the Giants will undoubtedly tag Barkley and work on a long-term deal with him. Barkley and his agents are hoping he gets to test the market, which could go nuts for him as the most talented offensive skill player set to hit free agency this year.