| It was a curious pick, to say the least. For what it’s worth, Kilgore had Barkley ranked fifth on his list of non-quarterbacks (behind two edge-rushers and two wide receivers), and when I asked him where he would rank Barkley on a list of top NFL players without regard to position, he said, “I’d have to think about it, but definitely outside the top 10.” The discrepancy between those lists underscores two of the most significant roster-building trends in the modern NFL — the growing chasm in value between the quarterback and every other position, and the general devaluation of the running back position. Yes, Barkley’s brilliant 2024 season, when he rushed for 2,005 yards and led the Eagles to a championship, was both historic and award-worthy. But NFL history suggests it was a performance that is unlikely to be repeated. Of the previous eight backs to rush for 2,000-plus yards in a season, none even came close to that mark the following season. (Barry Sanders, in 1998, came closest with 1,491 yards). Their average output: 1,079 yards. Only three managed to play in every game. Only two exceeded 100 rushing yards in Week 1. After a grueling season in which he accounted for 482 total touches (regular season and playoffs combined) — nearly 100 more than any other running back in the league — Barkley, by every indication, appears due for a regression in 2025. There is a reason Neil Greenberg, The Post’s sports analytics expert, last month put Barkley atop his list of “risky” fantasy football picks. Perhaps Barkley will be the exception. Perhaps he will become the first back in NFL history with consecutive 2,000-yard rushing seasons. But I wouldn’t bet on it. | 
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