EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 09: Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants has his facemask pulled by Yannick Ngakoue #91 of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second half at MetLife Stadium on September 9, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

Like every other team, the New York Giants should want three-down players on their roster.

In this age of NFL specialization, three-down players on offense or defense give teams maximum flexibility, not to mention more bang for the buck. New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley certainly possesses the skill-set in order to stay on the field for three downs at a time.

Barkley rushed for 1,307 yards and caught 91 passes for Big Blue last season, according to Pro Football Reference. Clearly, Barkley can, in a perfect world, play every offensive snap in any given game for the New York Giants.

Not so fast, says former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher. Cowher was at a CBS press conference in advance of Super Bowl LIII, when the subject turned to the dynamic Penn State rookie running back and how the Super Bowl winning coach would utilize his ample skills.

Per NJ Advance Media:

“I would just go out and get another guy. I think that’s the one thing we’re seeing in the league right now. Todd Gurley gets worn down, but all of a sudden C.J. Anderson comes in. You see the Patriots, and how they’ve taken to using Sony Michel and James White, and Rex Burkhead. It allows you to have a sustainable running game, because you’re not wearing down just one back. I think a guy like Saquon Barkley is a very special back, and where the was drafted was very appropriate.”

There are two things that jump out with Cowher’s hot take. First, it seems the Giants already have a good complementary running back in Wayne Gallman. Secondly, don’t Cowher’s word reinforce the notion that taking a halfback with the No. 2 overall selection was an over-reach by the New York Giants?

According to Pro Football Focus, tackle Nate Solder and guard Will Herenandez played in all 1,027 offensive snaps for the New York Giants. Barkley, meanwhile, played in 852 snaps. That’s nothing to sneeze at, but how long can the New York Giants expect that Barkley can keep that same pace and production?