Why a former Vols standout will benefit from major NFL storyline
A former Tennessee Vols standout stands to benefit from a major NFL storyline that's dominating the sport this week. The NFL franchise tag deadline came and went on Monday without the New York Giants and superstar running back Saquon Barkley working out a longterm deal. Now that the deadline has passed, Barkley has to either […]
A former Tennessee Vols standout stands to benefit from a major NFL storyline that's dominating the sport this week.
The NFL franchise tag deadline came and went on Monday without the New York Giants and superstar running back Saquon Barkley working out a longterm deal.
Now that the deadline has passed, Barkley has to either sign his franchise tag or sit out the 2023 season. He can't resume extension discussions until next offseason.
For now, the expectation is that Barkley won't report to training camp next week. It would be a surprise if he chooses to sit out games in the regular season, but that's certainly a possibility.
Regardless of whether or not Barkley is on the field for the Giants when the season kicks off in September, his absence in training camp sets up a big opportunity for former Vols running back Eric Gray.
Gray, who transferred to Oklahoma after the 2020 season, was selected by the Giants in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
For now, Matt Breida is the No. 2 running back for the Giants and Gray is the No. 3 running back. Breida, however, is a journeyman player who likely wouldn't be leaned on as the starter if Barkley doesn't play in 2023. The expectation is that Gray would be the featured back as a rookie if Barkley doesn't suit up this season.
Of course, Gray has to go out in training camp and prove that he deserves that opportunity. And with Barkley probably missing a large chunk of training camp, the former Tennessee standout should get that chance.
It's a big opportunity for Gray and certainly one that he can't squander. It can be tough for rookies to climb depth charts — especially fifth round picks — but Gray is in a prime position to climb New York's depth chart ahead of the 2023 season.
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Featured image via Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
