Giants RB Saquon Barkley Named Best Breakthrough Athlete at 2019 ESPY Awards

After being draft No. 2 overall by the New York Giants, former Penn State running back Saquon Barkley, entered the NFL with high expectations. His rookie season lived up to the hype, and the accolades continue to come in.

Barkley led the NFL with 2,028 yards from scrimmage in his 2018 rookie season. He was named NFL Rookie of the Year and was selected as an All-Pro and also named to the Pro Bowl. To think he accomplished all of this behind a Giants offensive line that many would call, subpar, could be scary for opposing NFL defensive coordinators.

On Wednesday, Barkley added to his trophy collection when he was awarded the 2019 ESPY Award for Best Breakthrough Athlete. The other nominees in that category were Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich, Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young and tennis player Naomi Osaka.

Barkley has been mentioned in many NFL preseason articles as a potential MVP candidate as early as the 2019 season.