Saquon Barkley delivered an exceptional 2024 season with the Philadelphia Eagles, amassing an impressive 2,283 total yards and posting seven fantasy performances exceeding 30 points. His standout year solidified him as one of the premier running backs, but fantasy enthusiasts should prepare for potential regression in the 2025 season despite the Eagles’ powerful offense. Managers considering Barkley must balance his elite upside with the risk of reduced production due to touchdown competition and natural statistical decline.
Barkley’s journey to elite fantasy status has been shaped by significant changes and challenges. After a coaching shift with the New York Giants in 2022, he saw a career-high 352 touches, including 295 carries that resulted in 1,312 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. Barkley demonstrated explosive ability with nine runs over 20 yards and three surpassing 40 yards. However, the Giants struggled to optimize his receiving potential, averaging only 5.9 yards per catch. Although he surpassed 100 rushing yards four times that season, all those performances occurred before Week 10.
The 2023 campaign began with promise as Barkley delivered a strong Week 2 showing with 92 yards, two touchdowns, and six receptions on 23 targets. Unfortunately, a high-ankle sprain sidelined him for the next three games and lingered throughout the year, limiting some of his effectiveness. In the latter half of the season, he managed 20-plus touches in six of 12 starts, accumulating 1,077 combined yards, eight touchdowns, and 32 catches, averaging 15.73 fantasy points per game in PPR leagues.
Barkley’s top fantasy performances in 2023 included Week 2 (27.20 points), Week 11 (30.00 points), Week 14 (24.10 points), and Week 18 (23.70 points). Despite these highs, he also had several low outputs, scoring fewer than 9 points in four games during the season’s final eight contests. His effort earned him the 13th spot in running back scoring with 225.70 points in PPR formats.
Key Factors Behind Barkley’s Career-High Statistics in Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Eagles’ investment in Barkley during the 2024 season paid off handsomely, with Barkley receiving a massive 378 touches and accumulating 2,283 combined yards. This marked the 13th highest total in NFL history while showcasing his explosiveness through a career-best average of 5.8 yards per carry. His big-play ability shone through via 17 rushes of 20 yards or more, including seven runs exceeding 40 yards, along with four impactful receiving plays.
Throughout the 20 starts that season, Barkley had over 14 games with more than 100 rushing yards. He remained productive in the postseason, adding 574 combined yards, five touchdowns, and 13 catches on 104 touches. Despite his outstanding contributions, fellow running back Jahmyr Gibbs surpassed Barkley in fantasy points, finishing with 356.30 thanks to several dominant performances, including two games with over 200 rushing yards.
Gibbs’ seven impact fantasy games included impressive outputs like 33.20, 33.60, and 46.20 points. His yardage was highlighted by standout efforts in Week 18 against the Rams, where he rushed for 255 and 205 yards respectively in two separate matchups, both featuring multiple touchdowns.
Assessing Saquon Barkley’s 2025 Fantasy Prospects
Moving into 2025, Barkley faces challenges that may limit his fantasy ceiling. His reduction in receiving volume compared to some runners permits others to close the gap in fantasy production. Additionally, Philadelphia’s star quarterback Jalen Hurts continues to claim nearly half of the team’s rushing touchdowns, reducing Barkley’s touchdown opportunities. Consequently, Bijan Robinson is favored as the top running back selection in 2025 drafts, closely trailed by Jahmyr Gibbs.
Historically, backing players after career-year performances carries risks, especially when those performances enter elite territory. Barkley’s combination of workload and efficiency suggests some regression is inevitable. Even with a projected 25% decline in total yardage—approximately 571 fewer yards—he could still accumulate over 1,700 combined yards, score double-digit touchdowns, and catch at least 30 passes. This places his floor near a top-10 running back in fantasy football.
Since predicting injuries remains impossible, one recommended strategy is acquiring Barkley’s backup as insurance, hoping for another electrifying season from the star back.
“Buying players after career seasons tends to be a losing proposition, especially when they fall into the all-time great category.”
—Shawn Childs, Writer/Analyst
“I can’t predict when a player will get hurt, so my best advice would be to buy his handcuff and hope he’s electric again this year.”
—Shawn Childs, Writer/Analyst
Implications for Fantasy Football Managers Preparing for the 2025 Season
Saquon Barkley’s phenomenal 2024 season sets a high benchmark, but the prospect of regression in 2025 requires careful consideration by fantasy managers. His situation exemplifies the delicate balance between drafting an explosive player within a high-powered offense and mitigating the risks tied to touchdown share and injury concerns. While his projected statistical slowdown is significant, Barkley remains a valuable asset with a solid baseline given the Eagles’ offensive strength.
Fantasy teams willing to invest early in Barkley will gain upside but must hedge their bets with depth and handcuffs, especially when considering the presence of other impactful backs like Jahmyr Gibbs. As the 2025 draft approaches, Barkley’s status as a premier running back alongside the formidable Philadelphia offense ensures he will remain highly sought after, even amid the anticipation of regression.