Saquon Barkley vs Jahmyr Gibbs

“Over the last two seasons, Barkley has averaged just 35 receptions for 275 receiving yards and two touchdowns. A decline in per-touch efficiency, as he nears 30, is also working against him, as he has steadily transitioned away from being a big-play threat and into more of a volume-based option at running back.”

“This means that former Jaguars back Tank Bigsby is likely the man behind Saquon Barkley to start the season. Barkley has been relatively healthy the past several seasons, though he is coming off his worst fantasy finish since 2021. Barkley is also on the precipice of his age-29 season, the age at which most running backs begin to decline rapidly in efficiency.”

“Saquon Barkley (RB, Eagles) was the top-rated player from the NFL Top 100 for the 2025 season.”

“Eagles RB Saquon Barkley recalled being annoyed by Sirianni during his time with the Giants, but his viewpoint changed after coming to Philadelphia. "When you're going against it, you can't stand it," Barkley said. "If you don't know Nick Sirianni, it's easy not to like Nick Sirianni."”

“He averaged 14.5 PPR fantasy points per game last season, his lowest mark since 2021. Furthermore, Barkley averaged 4.1 yards per rushing attempt and had 13 breakaway runs last year. By comparison, he averaged 5.8 yards per rushing attempt and had 25 breakaway runs during his 2024 fantasy MVP season. After finishing last year as the RB14, fantasy players should avoid drafting Barkley at his $31 value, the ninth-highest among running backs.”

“The former Penn State star averaged 14.5 PPR fantasy points per game last season, his lowest mark since 2021. Furthermore, he averaged 4.1 yards per rushing attempt and had 13 breakaway runs last year. By comparison, Barkley averaged 5.8 yards per rushing attempt and had 25 breakaway runs during his 2024 fantasy MVP season.”

“Barkley's target volume will be heavily dependent on Mannion's concerted effort to design opportunities for him. Should he neglect to do so, this will be more mediocre usage of one of the team's most explosive assets.”

“Barkley is a major beneficiary of this system, which heavily prioritizes RBs in the passing game via designed screens, wheel routes, and play-action checkdowns. In Mannion's timing-based scheme, play-action will freeze second-level defenders, leaving Barkley wide open on underneath routes to turn his 60 projected targets into high-value PPR production.”

“After finishing last year as the RB14, Barkley averaged 14.5 PPR fantasy points per game, his lowest mark since 2021, and averaged 4.1 yards per rushing attempt and had 13 breakaway runs, compared to 5.8 yards per rushing attempt and 25 breakaway runs during his fantasy MVP season in 2024. Fantasy players should avoid drafting Barkley as a mid-range RB1.”

“Saquon Barkley reached out to former Rams RB Todd Gurley to ask for his advice as he seeks to have a bounce-back season in 2026. Barkley said he felt he was able to get himself in better shape coming into the offseason with extra weeks to prepare after an earlier-than-desired end to the season.”

“Landing Saquon Barkley at pick 2.12 was ideal.”

“They also noted declines in some of Barkley's efficiency metrics over the last two seasons and questioned whether Philadelphia's offensive line could remain dominant enough to support another elite finish.”

“Without David Montgomery, Gibbs is set to smash. If you draft near the top of Round 1, perhaps this helps you decide between the two stud running backs.”

“It's been interesting to see the recent discourse about Jahmyr Gibbs as the RB1, though he's been my RB1 over Bijan Robinson for quite some time. However you feel about Gibbs vs. Robinson, one thing is for certain: the Lions have an insanely friendly schedule this year.”

“The star back for the Lions is one of the 2023 first-rounders on the books through 2027 thanks to his fifth-year option, with Detroit long expected to pursue an early extension. Gibbs is in line to handle an even larger workload than before without David Montgomery in the fold, and a recent projection from The Athletic's Austin Mock has Gibbs slotting in with a projected $19.9MM AAV and $46.7MM in guaranteed money, though Mock adds Gibbs is likely to land more than his projected figure.”

“Jahmyr Gibbs dramatically outperformed his expected rushing touchdown total last year, but that is just the norm for a player who has the explosive ability to score from anywhere. While nearly doubling expected rushing touchdown production would be a regression red flag for a lot of players, it is not for Gibbs because of his track record.”

“Detroit already paid Jack Campbell, who is now the NFL's second-highest-paid off-ball linebacker, and must decide on Jahmyr Gibbs' value and whether to let Sam LaPorta play out a contract year or reach an agreement now.”

“Gibbs has the clearest avenue he's ever had and is coming off a career-high 94 targets. With more touches, Gibbs could be one of the highest ceiling plays in fantasy football, and an auto-click if he makes it this far.”

“Another young running back who has seen things clear out behind him is Jahmyr Gibbs, with the departure of David Montgomery, and only Isiah Pacheco has been added to the running back room. Gibbs has had over 50 receptions in each of his three seasons in the NFL and averages 13 total touchdowns per season.”

“The idea behind "Stars & Scrubs" is to build your team primarily around a few star players. For example, you may be able to walk away with Ja'Marr Chase, Jahmyr Gibbs and someone like Christian McCaffrey, but this will leave you with a significantly lower budget for the remaining picks.”

“Gainwell ranked fourth among all backs in receptions in 2025, trailing only the dual-threat elites of Christian McCaffrey, Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs.”

“Jahmyr Gibbs had a rough end to the fantasy football season last year, costing managers who leaned on him all year championships. Gibbs should return to fantasy prominence with a wonderful start to the NFL season. The Lions start the season facing the Saints, Bills, Jets, Panthers, and Cardinals.”

“Pianowski looked thrilled to land Gibbs fourth overall. The argument centered around Detroit's favorable projected schedule and the belief that Gibbs can anchor multiple roster constructions, including hero-RB builds.”

“Gibbs was already one of fantasy football's most efficient weapons. Now there's a legitimate path toward elite volume to pair with that efficiency. That combination is how overall RB1 seasons happen.”