As the NFL season approaches, anticipation builds for the upcoming quest for Super Bowl LXI. Fantasy football managers are particularly focused on players who can make a significant impact on their teams, and one name generating considerable buzz is Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley.
After a stellar performance in 2024, where he led all running backs in fantasy PPR leagues with an impressive average of 22.2 points per game and earned the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award, Barkley faced a downturn in 2025. His production dropped significantly, placing him 15th among running backs in fantasy PPR scoring with an average of just 14.5 points per game. This decline was not only disappointing for Barkley but also for fantasy managers who relied on his previous season's success.
With the start of the 2026 season on the horizon, ESPN analyst Field Yates has highlighted Barkley as a potential late first-round draft steal. Yates suggests that while Barkley may not return to his 2024 dominance, he is likely to improve upon his 2025 performance. "He wasn’t good last year. And I don’t think he’s going to be as good as two years ago … If he can find himself somewhere in the middle, it’s going to payoff," Yates remarked regarding Barkley’s fantasy outlook.
Currently, Barkley is projected to rank ninth among running backs in terms of fantasy PPR points per game, with an expected increase to 15.3 points per game this season. While this figure still falls short of his 2024 numbers, it indicates a potential rebound that could benefit both Barkley and his fantasy managers. If he can push closer to 18 points per game, he could indeed prove to be a valuable asset in the later rounds of drafts.
The Eagles are hopeful that Barkley can recapture some of his previous form. In 2024, he surpassed 2,000 rushing yards and scored 13 rushing touchdowns, but his 2025 season saw a stark decline, with fewer than 1,200 rushing yards and only seven touchdowns. This regression has raised questions about his consistency and ability to perform at an elite level.
As the NFL season kicks off, the question remains: will Saquon Barkley have the bounce-back year that fantasy football managers are banking on? His performance could be pivotal not only for the Eagles' success but also for those looking to make a deep playoff push in fantasy leagues.
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