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Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network is reporting that the New York Giants are bringing in former Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman for a workout.
With the likely season-ending injury to Saquon Barkley, the #Giants are bringing in reinforcements. Source says they plan to visit with and workout FA RB Devonta Freeman. The former #Falcons star spent the weekend with the #Eagles and should be with NYG today.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 21, 2020
Freeman is, by far, the top running back on the market, and it makes absolute sense for the Giants to bring him in for a visit and workout following the devastating injury to Saquon Barkley.
The Giants could try to make due with a platoon of Wayne Gallman Jr. and Dion Lewis, but Lewis is limited as a runner and Gallman is a runner who will pick up what is blocked for him.
At his best, Freeman is a complete back who is a threat as a runner and receiver. He was originally drafted by the Falcons in the 4th round of the 2014 NFL Draft, and quickly became a pivotal piece in Atlanta’s offense. His best year came in 2016 when he averaged 4.8 yards per carry on 227 carries, picking up 1,079 yards and 11 touchdowns, as well as catching 54 passes for 462 yards (8.6 yards per catch) and another 2 touchdowns.
Freeman does come with some injury concern, losing his 2018 season to a sports hernia after two games, as well as suffering PCL and MCL sprains in 2017 and a pedal foot sprain in 2019.
The Falcons made Freeman the NFL’s (then) highest-paid running back in 2017, signing him to a five-year, $41.25 million contract extension. The team cut him in March of 2020 with three years remaining on his deal in a move to create room under the salary cap in advance of free agency.
Freeman might not be an inexpensive signing for the Giants, and at one time he said that he is willing to sit out the 2020 season, and is reportedly looking for a contract in the neighborhood of $4 million for one year. The Giants have the room to sign Freeman, with approximately $15.951 million in cap space, per the league’s public salary cap report. However, the Philadelphia Eagles being involved complicates matters, as they have $27.445 million in cap space and are under much more pressure to “win now” than the Giants.
Freeman was in Philadelphia over the weekend and is expected to begin COVID-19 testing with the Giants on Monday and work out for the team on Tuesday.
Stay with Big Blue View as we bring you the latest on Freeman, as well as Saquon Barkley’s injury.