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New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

New York Giants Pro Football Hall of Fame watch

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated 6/7/23

The Pro Football Hall of Fame will induct the class of 2023 on Aug. 5. Here are players from the 2023 Giants who could join the immortals in Canton someday.

Fringe Hall of Famer

Saquon Barkley, running back: There are no guaranteed Hall of Fame players on New York’s 2023 roster, but if any player has Hall of Fame talent, it’s Barkley.

When speaking about Barkley before the 2018 NFL Draft, then-general manager Dave Gettleman said, “Guys, this is the second pick in the draft. We really have to picture this guy putting on a gold jacket. Because if we can’t picture that, really…”

Barkley played really well as a rookie with 2,028 total yards and 15 touchdowns. His second season was almost as good with 1,003 yards rushing and eight touchdowns, but he missed three games.

Missed games have been Barkley’s problem since then. When he’s on the field, there may not be a better running back in football, but over the past three years, Barkley has missed 19 games. After missing 26% of his team’s games so far, Barkley’s Hall of Fame chances aren’t great, but it’s not impossible.

Saquon Barkley’s highlights set to the Space Jam soundtrack is perfect pic.twitter.com/uRuQpR8K84
— Athlete Swag (@AthleteSwag) January 5, 2019

Finally healthy, Barkley bounced back in 2022 with 1,650 total yards and 10 touchdowns to help the Giants end their five-year playoff drought. As a dual-threat, three-down back, Barkley doesn’t have to worry about sharing a backfield as part of a committee. As long as he stays healthy and productive, he still has an outside shot to make the Hall of Fame.

Young players who could develop into Hall of Famers

Dexter Lawrence, defensive tackle: After signing an $87.5 million contract extension, Lawrence said he wants to be a Hall of Famer. The Giants would like nothing better, but how realistic are his chances?

If 2022 is any indication, his chances are pretty good. Lawrence led the Giants with a career-best 7.5 sacks last season. He also had two forced fumbles and 68 tackles. His 70 pressures in the regular season and playoffs were second most in the NFL.

According to Pro Football Focus, Lawrence enters 2023 as the NFL’s third-best defensive tackle behind the Rams Aaron Donald and Chiefs Chris Jones. No one can argue with either of their Hall of Fame credentials, and if Lawrence can remain in their company, he’ll have an excellent chance to make the Hall of Fame.

Kayvon Thibodeaux, defensive end: The fifth overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft finished fourth in this year’s NFL Rookie of the Year voting. While he only had four sacks, he still proved to be a disruptive pass rusher with 40 quarterback pressures.

Thibodeaux got better as the year went on. If his sack numbers improve, there’s no reason to think he can’t be a Hall of Famer someday.

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