NFL Notes: Saquon Barkley, Giants, Packers

Saquon Barkley

NFL Draft analyst Mike Mayock mentioned during an appearance on the Rich Eisen Podcast that he believes Penn State RB Saquon Barkley has more upside than Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott.

“So far he’s the best player I’ve seen on tape,” Mayock said of Barkley. “He’s got more upside both on and off the field than Zeke Elliott.”

Giants

Giants QB Eli Manning admitted that last night’s loss to the Redskins has him feeling worn.

“Yeah, yeah, it definitely does,” Manning said, via the New York Post. “It’s no fun losing, it’s no fun not scoring enough points offensively, so yeah, it can wear you out. It’ll test you, but just gotta keep going to the drawing board and find ways to play better and move the ball and score some points.”

• Giants CB Janoris Jenkins‘ left foot was in a walking boot after Sunday’s game. Jenkins added that it was bothering him on the touchdown catch he allowed during the second half. (Jordan Raanan)
• Giants DB Donte Deayon broke his right forearm last night. (Art Stapleton)

Packers

Steelers OLB T.J. Watt, who was a popular name connected to the Packers during the draft process, mentioned that he thought there was a “legitimate possibility” he was going to end up in Green Bay.

“I thought it was a legitimate possibility that I could go to Green Bay,” Watt said, via ESPN.com. “But they didn’t want me.”

Watt was actually on the board for the Packers, but they elected to trade back and eventually came away with CB Kevin King and OLB Vince Biegel as part of the trade.

Watt downplayed the upcoming game against Green Bay as being just another game.

“I view it just as any regular game for me,” Watt said. “Obviously being from Wisconsin and growing up a Packers fan for the majority of my youth — until J.J. got to the Texans, of course — I think people are trying to make this game seem like it’s a lot bigger to me than it is. But to be honest with you, I didn’t have high expectations or I didn’t really care where I ended up in the draft. I just wanted to end up with a good team and a great fit, and I’m glad that I ended up here in Pittsburgh. This is going to be just another game for me, and more importantly it’s another game at Heinz Field in front of Steeler Nation.”