The Facts: Barkley's popularity continues to soar. Another example: the Giants' sensational running back is the Pepsi Rookie of the Year.
Diehards Line:Barkley bested Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, considered his top competitor for the league's AP Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, for the Pepsi award, which is voted on by fans. The more prestigious Offensive Rookie of the Year award will be presented Saturday night at NFL Honors on the eve of Super Bowl LIII. Earlier this offseason, Barkley was named the PFWA (Pro Football Writers Association) 2018 Rookie of the Year. At 21, Barkley is just getting started. He led the NFL with 2,028 scrimmage yards and joined Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson (2,212 scrimmage yards in 1983) and Edgerrin James (2,139 in 1999) as the only rookies with at least 2,000 scrimmage yards in NFL history. Barkley recorded 91 receptions in 2018, the most by a rookie running back in league history, shattering the previous standard set by Bush in 2006.