Who Should I Start? Saquon Barkley or Khalil Herbert

Monday, March 11, 2:57 PM

Free-agent running back Saquon Barkley is signing with the Philadelphia Eagles on a three-year, $37.75 million deal. The deal includes $26 million in guaranteed money and has an additional $9 million available in incentives. After a 2018 rookie season that saw the former Penn State star go for over 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 15 touchdowns, he has struggled to stay healthy over a chunk of the next five years of his career. He missed 21 games from 2019 to 2021. He bounced back in 2022 with 1,312 rushing yards but regressed to 962 yards in 14 games in 2023. However, the Eagles believe in him as a game-changing running back, as his average salary ($12.58 million) ranks only below Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara, and Jonathan Taylor. Although the Eagles' offensive line could take a hit after the retirement of Jason Kelce, Barkley should be playing behind the best offensive line of his career in 2024. He will have an immediate high-end RB1 upside in fantasy football.

Sunday, January 7, 10:31 PM

Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert had another chance to see a bulk of the workload with D'Onta Foreman (coach's decision) out again in Week 18. The 25-year-old rushed 12 times for just 28 yards in the team's 17-9 loss to the Packers while also catching two passes for 13 yards. After rushing for 731 yards a year ago, Herbert couldn't take a step forward and ended the year with just 583 yards with similar volume. The Bears drafted Roschon Johnson in 2023, and Herbert failed to separate himself this year as the true lead back for the foreseeable future. While the Bears were a run-heavy team in 2023, which allowed Herbert to thrive at times, they will either endure massive offensive change or continue to have a quarterback who takes rushing opportunities away. Herbert will look to earn a full bell-cow role in 2024.