Devin Singletary acknowledges the inevitable comparisons to Saquon Barkley, the player he’s stepping in for at the New York Giants, but he remains unfazed.
“All he can do is be himself, and hope he helps the Giants win in 2024,” Singletary said Thursday, addressing reporters for the first time since inking a three-year, $16.5 million deal. “You know, Saquon is great. Everyone knows that. I’m just happy to be a Giant, you know, looking forward to a great opportunity here. I’m ready to get to work.”
While Singletary hasn’t yet achieved a 1,000-yard rushing season like Barkley, the two possess similar versatility as runners and pass-catchers. “Man, that’s really what it comes down to, me, just being me, ready to help the team win any way that I can,” Singletary, who played for Houston last season, remarked.
Barkley served as the linchpin of the Giants’ offense for the past six seasons until his departure earlier this week to join the Philadelphia Eagles on a three-year, $37.5 million contract.
Shortly after Barkley’s exit, the Giants struck a deal with Singletary. Barkley’s departure cleared the No. 26 jersey, a number he had donned since being drafted second overall in 2018, the same year he was crowned the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Singletary entered the league the following year as a third-round pick by Buffalo, where he crossed paths with Giants coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen. He, too, will wear No. 26 and intends to retain it. “That’s the number I’m sticking with,” he affirmed.
Singletary described himself as intelligent, reliable, and industrious. He believes he can navigate deftly while blending power in his runs, and sees himself evolving as a player.
Turning 27 in September, Singletary racked up 898 yards and four touchdowns rushing last season for the Texans, in addition to catching 30 passes for 193 yards. Over 78 career games, he’s accumulated 4,049 rushing yards and 20 TDs, along with 175 receptions for 1,164 yards and four touchdowns.
Comparatively, Barkley, aged 27, boasts 5,211 rushing yards and 35 TDs, while snaring 288 passes for 2,100 yards and 12 touchdowns. In his final season with New York, he rushed for 962 yards and six TDs, while adding 41 receptions for 280 yards and four touchdowns.
In addition to Singletary, the Giants bolstered their squad by acquiring edge rusher Brian Burns in a trade with Carolina. They also reached agreements with linemen Jon Runyan Jr. and Jeremiah Eluemunor, quarterback Drew Lock, safety Jalen Mills, and receiver Isaiah McKenzie.
The younger Runyan, hailing from South Jersey, is the son of former Eagles offensive tackle Jon Runyan Sr. He’s well-versed in the NFC East rivalry and is thrilled to be part of it.
Eluemunor, born in London and raised in New Jersey, grew up a Giants fan, with defensive end Osi Unmenyiora being his favorite player. He plans to honor Unmenyiora by wearing his No. 72.
“For me, coming here to this franchise was always a dream,” Eluemunor said Thursday. “You say they haven’t won that much, but I’ve watched them several times. Who knows? Maybe I’m the missing piece for helping them get towards that. My goal is to help them win.”
Burns brings a wealth of experience, with 46 sacks in 80 career games (67 starts). His sack tally ranks 12th in the NFL since entering the league, while his 59 tackles for loss are the sixth-most in that span.
“They’re getting somebody that’s coming to work, always be professional, always be a pro, that’s number one,” Burns asserted. “Other than that, I’m coming to work, I’m relentless. They’re getting a playmaker.”
