RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Yahoo Sports — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 1 sources
Eagles running back Saquon Barkley is priced as a premium fantasy running back options - but will his 2026 numbers justify that early-round selection?
According to USA TODAY Sports Fantasy projections , Barkley currently ranks as RB7 in standard scoring leagues and RB8 in PPR leagues - but those expectations may be inflated from his stellar 2024 campaign.
Here's USA TODAY Sports' Everett Cook on why Barkley may be too expensive to draft in 2026 :
"The 29-year-old Barkley is likely to never again see the workload he got in 2024, when he turned 345 carries and 33 receptions into a fantasy-league-winning 2,283 yards from scrimmage and 15 touchdowns. He still played in 16 games again last year, but Barkley's numbers all dipped pretty dramatically and he finished as a high-end RB2. Yet in 2026 fantasy drafts, Barkley is somewhere between the fifth and eighth running back taken.
Those managers are counting on a return to what will almost certainly end up as the best season of Barkley's career, which is not a bet that usually pays off with running backs in their late 20s. Barkley is an incredible player and could have a great season, but if you want a running back at the end of the first round, James Cook and Chase Brown have much higher ceilings."
USA TODAY Sports Fantasy's latest preseason projections estimate Barkley to rush for 1061 yards and 7 touchdowns, with 36 receptions for 272 receiving yards.
Win your matchups. Every week.
Sync your ESPN, Yahoo, CBS or Sleeper league in seconds to unlock custom roster advice, expert projections, and start/sit recommendations built for your team. Stop guessing and start winning. Sync Your League Now
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Why you may want to avoid Saquon Barkley in fantasy football drafts
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.