Is Saquon Barkley Really the Giants’ Biggest Draft Bust? Let’s Pump the Brakes
When it comes to the New York Giants and their long, winding draft history, the list of misfires is lengthy enough to fill a playbook. From first-round flameouts to promising prospects who never panned out, Giants fans have endured their fair share of “what ifs.” So, when someone drops a take like “Saquon Barkley is the biggest draft bust in franchise history,” it’s bound to stir up some heated debate - and that’s exactly what happened this week.
WFAN’s Tommy Lugauer lit the fuse, calling Barkley the biggest draft mistake in the Giants’ 101-year history. That’s not just a bold statement - it’s a lightning rod of a take. But let’s unpack it with a little more nuance.
The Case Against Barkley
Lugauer’s argument is twofold. First, he points out that the Giants selected Barkley second overall in 2018 - ahead of quarterbacks Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson. In a league that revolves around elite quarterback play, passing on multiple franchise QBs to take a running back is, in hindsight, a decision that’s going to be second-guessed for years.
Second, Lugauer notes that Barkley’s best season came not in Giants blue, but in Eagles green - where he helped Philadelphia to a Super Bowl title. That stings. Seeing a former top pick flourish with a division rival is never easy, especially when that player was once seen as the face of your franchise.
The Rebuttal: Context Matters
Now, let’s be real - Barkley’s career with the Giants wasn’t a bust by any traditional measure. In six seasons in New York, he racked up 5,211 rushing yards - the fourth-most in team history.
He scored 35 touchdowns, good for sixth all-time among Giants running backs. And he averaged 70.4 rushing yards per game, the best mark in franchise history.
Those aren’t bust numbers. Those are productive, Pro Bowl-level numbers - especially when you consider the revolving door of offensive linemen, coaches, and quarterbacks he played alongside. Barkley often was the offense in New York, carrying the load on teams that lacked consistent identity or firepower.
And let’s not forget: injuries played a role, too. Barkley’s 2020 ACL tear derailed what was shaping up to be a promising career arc. But he bounced back, and when healthy, remained one of the league’s most dynamic backs.
The Quarterback What-Ifs
Yes, the Giants passed on quarterbacks. But here’s the thing - hindsight is undefeated.
At the time, Sam Darnold was seen as a top prospect, but his career has been inconsistent at best. Josh Allen took time to develop in Buffalo, and Lamar Jackson - while an MVP and electric playmaker - didn’t fit every team's system coming out of college.
The Giants believed Barkley was a generational talent. And for stretches, he looked the part. Blaming Barkley for the front office’s decision not to take a quarterback - or for the team’s inability to build a winning roster around him - feels like misplaced frustration.
Don’t Forget the Real Busts
If we’re talking about draft busts in Giants history, there are plenty of names that deserve the spotlight before Barkley. Ereck Flowers never found his footing.
DeAndre Baker’s off-field issues derailed his career. Kadarius Toney flashed potential but couldn’t stay on the field or in the playbook.
Evan Neal and Deonte Banks are still writing their stories, but the early returns haven’t been glowing.
And then there’s Rocky Thompson - a name that still makes longtime fans wince. Drafted 18th overall in 1971, Thompson lasted just two seasons and never scored a touchdown. That’s the kind of resume you expect from a bust, not a player who cracked the franchise’s top five in multiple rushing categories.
The Barkley Legacy
Barkley’s tenure with the Giants may not have ended with a Lombardi Trophy, but calling him the biggest bust in team history feels like a stretch - a hot take designed to spark reaction, not reflection. He was productive, professional, and, at times, electric. He gave Giants fans something to cheer for during some otherwise forgettable seasons.
If anything, his story is more about missed opportunities by the organization - not individual failure. The Giants didn’t surround him with a stable offensive line or a consistent quarterback.
They cycled through coaches and GMs. And when it came time to re-sign him, they let him walk - not because he wasn’t good, but because the business of football said it was time to move on.
Final Word
Labeling Saquon Barkley the biggest draft bust in Giants history is a tough sell. The numbers, the context, and the eye test just don’t back it up. He may not have lived up to the “generational” tag in every way, but he gave the Giants everything he had - and left his name all over the record books in the process.
So let’s keep the conversation going, but let’s also keep it grounded. Barkley’s legacy in New York is complicated, sure.
But bust? That’s not the word for it.