Saquon Barkley could be one of the most coveted free agents in the NFL this offseason, as he would represent an upgrade at running back for the vast majority of the other 31 teams in the league. The New York Giants chose not to franchise tag Barkley for a second time, and that's why they're no longer the clear-cut favorites when looking at the NFL odds for Saquon Barkley's next team.
I'm taking a look at the market for Saquon's next squad and making my NFL picks as I try to identify a long shot that might swoop in and lure Barkley away from the favored Houston Texans.
Saquon Barkley next team odds
| Team |  |
|---|---|
 Houston Texans |
-200 |
 Los Angeles Chargers |
+275 |
 Dallas Cowboys |
+550 |
 New York Giants |
+550 |
 Chicago Bears |
+900 |
 Baltimore Ravens |
+1,200 |
 Philadelphia Eagles |
+3,000 |
 Minnesota Vikings |
+3,500 |
 Green Bay Packers |
+4,000 |
 Cincinnati Bengals |
+5,000 |
Odds as of March 5, 2024.
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Saquon Barkley's situation at a glance
Saquon Barkley will be 27 when he enters his seventh season in the NFL in 2024. Injuries both major and minor have plagued Barkley over his first six seasons, as he's suited up for a full 16 games only twice, and just once since winning Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2018. He missed all but two games in 2020 with a torn ACL.
Barkley's rookie deal expired at the end of 2022 — his second-ever 16-game season — but the New York Giants hit him with the franchise tag to ensure he wouldn't get away. Like many players, Barkley wasn't happy with getting tagged, and he was far from ecstatic about it potentially happening again.
“They did it last year. So I’m numb to it. I don’t have any feelings toward that at all,” Barkley told the media when the Giants’ season ended. “If you’re gonna do it, just don’t wait until March 5. Just get it over with. If not, let me go. Simple.”
Both parties eventually negotiated a one-year deal for 2023, but that appears to be off the table this season.
Barkley has averaged nearly 99 scrimmage yards per game over 74 career starts with 47 all-purpose touchdowns. The magic number for running backs in the NFL is 30, and Barkley is still a few years below that mark, so he should have his fair share of suitors in the open market.
Saquon Barkley's next team favorites
Houston Texans (-200)
PFF believes that Barkley would be a natural fit with the Houston Texans. The running back tandem of Devin Singletary and Dameon Pierce overachieved in 2023 but still hit a wall in crunch time as they were sent packing by the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Round.
Assuming the kid gloves come off, 2023 Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud is poised to drop back more often next season. Barkley can help in the pass-blocking game and serve as an invaluable outlet in the flat for Stroud.
Popular NFL futures markets
Los Angeles Chargers (+275)
The Los Angeles Chargers are expected to move on from Austin Ekeler, who is also a free agent, and Barkley could fill his shoes.
New head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman have a reputation as run-first thinkers. Barkley's skill set should not only help the Chargers get a smashmouth-style run game going, something that was lacking in the Ekeler era, but keep Justin Herbert upright.
Saquon Barkley next team odds pick
Dallas Cowboys (+550)
Like the Chargers, the Dallas Cowboys might also part ways with their No. 1 running back from 2023 in Tony Pollard, who didn't exactly take the bull by the horns following Ezekiel Elliott's departure. But Dallas is available at twice the price L.A. is, making them them more appealing option.
It certainly would not be the first time an NFC East rival plucked a star player from their former squad. The Cowboys famously signed Terrell Owens away from the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Eagles tried to get even a few years later by signing DeMarco Murray away from Dallas.
When odds initially hit the board for this market, the Cowboys were priced at +2,500. But with the Giants forgoing their bargaining power with Barkley, he's now free to sign with this NFC East rival. Follow the money.
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