In a week of bizarre performances, none was more surprising than the New York Giants against the Dallas Cowboys. Everything that could possibly go wrong in an NFL game went wrong, and the Giants ended up getting blown out 40-0.
Running back Saquon Barkley ended the game with only 12 carries for 51 rushing yards while also having three catches for 12 yards.
Many fantasy football managers, myself included, are counting on Barkley to be a key contributor all year but were disappointed on Sunday. After that performance, there are some people wondering if they should go a different route with their team.
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Should Fantasy Football Managers Trade Saquon Barkley?
It was a miserable week for the Giants, but the game actually started out well for New York. They took the first drive down the field, with Barkley rushing for 19 yards and catching a pass. However, a brutal snap on third down forced the Giants to settle for a field goal.
Saquon Barkley in the house #NYGiants pic.twitter.com/epS72rtr4q
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) September 10, 2023
The kick was blocked, returned for a touchdown by the Cowboys, and the rout was on. This was one of those fluke games that can happen to any team, and it just so happened in Week 1.
Barkley ended the game with 9.3 PPR fantasy points. While this isn’t the result that people drafted him in the first round expected, to trade him right now would be a panic move.
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The Cowboys defense is going to cause a ton of havoc for nearly every team. Barkley is still by far the No. 1 option on the Giants. Any time you have a go-to player on a team, you don’t trade them.
Up next for the Giants is the Arizona Cardinals, who most people agree are looking forward to the future.
However, if you’re done with Barkley and want to make a blockbuster move, what should you want in return?
What Should Fantasy Managers Look To Acquire When Trading Saquon Barkley?
So, you’re done with Barkley, and you want to make a move; what should you look for in a trade?
You are going to want to get the No. 1 running back on a team and another guy who has solid-to-high Flex upside.
Running backs like Barkley are rare in today’s NFL, as he is a three-down back who can make a ton of plays out of the backfield in both the running and passing game.
Barkley, at his best, is a 100-yard, seven-catch type of performer. You are going to want to get those types of numbers back in return, and it is highly unlikely you will get that with only one player.
Please, don’t make this move yet. It was one bad performance in a week full of terrible performances by many of the top players in the NFL not named Tyreek Hill. With so many guys not playing in the preseason, the first couple of weeks of the regular season may be sloppy as teams get on the same page.
You drafted Barkley for a reason, and it is too early to let go of him.