The Philadelphia Eagles may not have lived up to expectations offensively in 2025, but league executives, coaches, and scouts still believe Saquon Barkley is among the NFL’s elite running backs.
In ESPN’s annual positional rankings, Barkley checked in at No. 3 after earning the top spot entering last season. While he dropped two spots, the respect around the league hasn’t changed much. One NFL executive told ESPN that if he were building a team for one season, Barkley would still be the first running back selected.
SAQUON BARKLEY IS NOT HUMAN.
THIS SPIN IS MAGICAL 😱😱😱
SPECIAL TALENT. SLO-MO CINEMA.
pic.twitter.com/hIHi1ICHaQ— MLFootball (@MLFootball) December 22, 2025
The slight dip appears to reflect Philadelphia’s offensive struggles more than Barkley’s individual play. Evaluators pointed to inconsistent blocking and offensive execution as factors that limited the Eagles’ rushing attack throughout the season.
With new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion taking over in 2026 and expectations of a more balanced offense, Barkley will have an opportunity to remind the league why many still consider him one of the most dynamic running backs in football.
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