3 overrated free agents the Rams were wise to avoid

Run for the money

RB Saquon Barkley is the type of rusher that I normally go all-in over. He is a big-bodied rusher who can literally take over a football game and put it away once the offense gets the lead. Standing 6-foot-0 and weighing 232 pounds, Barkley is a throw-back to the NFL's ground and pound days. In six seasons with the New York Giants, he has carried the football 1201 times for 5211 yards and 35 touchdowns.

But there are durability concerns.

In a possible 99 games, Barkley has played in 74. That is less than 75 percent of his possible games. That seems a bit underwhelming for a running back who just signed to play for the Philadelphia Eagles for three years and $37.75 million. I do understand that many players and fans wanted to see the NFL show more appreciation and respect for running backs after their value dropped so dramatically in recent years.

I hate to say it, but that contract seems like a serious overpay.

Barkley's 2023 performance was 247 carries for 962 yards and six touchdowns. He also caught 41 passes for 280 yards and four touchdowns. Barkley will pocket $13 million cash and hit the Eagles salary cap for $3.95 million in 2024.

By comparison, Rams RB Kyren Williams played in three fewer games, had 228 carries for 1,144 yards and 12 touchdowns, and caught 32 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns. Williams is due to make $1.06 million in 2024.

Barkley may be a bigger runner, but the years of being the Giants' feature running back have taken their toll. The Rams showed no interest in Barkley, and despite his size and powerful running, I'm okay with that.