Saquon Barkley Odds: Why the Rookie Won’t Crack 1,000 Rushing Yards

• Odds released on how many rushing yards rookie running back Saquon Barkley will have in 2018
• How have the Giants improved their team in the offseason?
• Will Barkley finally give the Giants’ their first 1,000 yard rusher since 2012?

The New York Giants drafted RB Saquon Barkley with the second overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. As the highest drafted back to go off the board, there are odds on how many rushing yards the Penn State product will produce in 2018.

Feeling really high on Barkley? Odds are also offered at +1000 for the rookie to lead the league in rushing.

Saquon Barkley 2018 Rushing Yards Odds

In three years at Penn State, Barkley totalled 3,843 rushing yards and 102 touchdowns. He also added 1,195 receiving yards and eight more TDs through the air. Last year Barkley had the fourth-most rushing yards in the Big Ten and 28th most in all of FBS with 1,271. He had 21 total TDs, a cabinet full of awards, and finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting.

Barkley brings size, speed and vision to a Giants’ offense where he’ll immediately step in as the lead back.

The Giants’ Offseason

After a 3-13 record in 2017, the Giants made sweeping changes across their coaching staff. Pat Shurmur is the new head coach who previously served as the OC in Minnesota. The Giants’ new OC is Mike Shula, who coached with the same title in Carolina, and James Bettcher comes over from Arizona as the new DC, a title he also held with the Cards.

With Shula directing the offense, Barkley looks to be in for a good number of touches. Over the past five years while Shula was OC in Carolina, the Panthers’ run game consistently ranked amongst the league’s best.

Last year the Panthers ranked third in rushing attempts and fourth in total yards. Over five seasons from 2013-2017, Shula’s rushing attacks have never ranked lower than eighth in attempts or 11th in total yards.

He’ll have his hands full though in improving the Giants’ ground game. New York ranked 26th in yards per game in 2017 and hasn’t produced a 1,000 yard rusher since Ahmad Bradshaw in 2012.

Giants’ Yearly Rushing Leaders

In Carolina, Shula’s Panthers had a three-headed attack but each of Cam Newton (754), Jonathon Stewart (680) and Christian McCaffrey (435) had productive years on the ground.

While Eli Manning certainly won’t carry the rock anywhere near as much as Newton, it’s worth noting that Stewart has joined Shula in coming to New York. The veteran back could take some touches away from Barkley.

Shurmur is also no stranger to relying on the run, as his Vikings’ offense ranked second in attempts and seventh in total yards last year. The Vikes’ top rushers were Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon with 842 and 570 yards respectively.

"I'm living the dream. I'm a New York Giant."@Giants RB @Saquon Barkley recaps his first few days of #NFLTrainingCamp. (via @nflnetwork) https://t.co/DDOb0e1Tei

— NFL (@NFL) July 28, 2018

Finally the Giants’ put a priority on the offensive line this offseason. They ranked 12th in sacks allowed in 2017, however they lost four players in that rotation. In their places are free agent LT Nate Solder from the Patriots, G Patrick Omameh of Jacksonville, and second round draft pick Will Hernandez, a guard out of UTEP.

Recent NFL Rookies

History is on the side of Barkley and the Giants having succesful rushing seasons. In the last ten years only once (2011) has their not been at least one rookie to crack the 1,000 yard mark. In fact each of the past two seasons there were two.

NFL’s Rookie Rushing Leaders

How Many Yards Will Barkley Rush For?

Saquon Barkley is being called a generational talent. There’s little doubt he’ll make an impact on the Giants’ offense. Historically, only Ezekiel Elliott went over 1,500 yards as a rookie in the past five years. Barkley definitely stands a great chance at cracking the 1,000 yard mark at +150 odds. I believe he’ll come just short of that mark though, and will take the bet on 500-999 yards at +175.

Historically only Ezekiel Elliott went over 1,500 yards as a rookie in the past five years.

Barkley is a dual-threat back who ranked 11th in receiving in the Big Ten last year. The leading rookies the past two years in Kareem Hunt and Elliott commanded 67.2% and 64.5% of their team’s rushing attempts.

While Barkley should be heavily involved, Shula will have the familiar face of Stewart in the backfield who’ll need touches too. Over the past three years Stewart has averaged 219 attempts 831 yards and seven touchdowns.

It’s official. Very proud of this guy! I can’t wait to watch him continue to put in work and come out stronger every day. Congratulations @saquon!! Go big blue!!! pic.twitter.com/fxsMYcD9Hu

— Kimberly Miale (@kimmiale) July 22, 2018

Finally, it’s worth noting Barkley and the Giants will have their work cut out for them as they are set up to face the second-hardest schedule in the league.