as one of the top running backs available for the National Football League Draft. He finished 7th on Pittsburgh's list for career rushing yards with 2,234. Professional career Barlow was drafted in the 3rd round (80th overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers and signed a $3.8 million contract over 3 years. Denver Head Coach Mike Shanahan congratulated the 49ers for picking "the best back in the draft." He played a total of seven seasons in the NFL including five with San Francisco. San Francisco 49ers Barlow started his first professional game in the NFL on December 7, 2003, against the Arizona Cardinals, after the 49er's starting running back Garrison Hearst was injured during the third quarter of a game against the Baltimore Ravens the week prior. The 49ers won the game 50–14 with Barlow rushing for 154 yards and a touchdown. Although he only started nine games, he finished the 2003 season leading the 49ers in rushing with 1,024 yards. He also rushed for 6 touchdowns and averaged 5.1 yards per carry. Barlow and Hearst combined to run for 1,792 yards during this year. In 2002, after the 49ers training camp, Barlow played in an exhibition game against the Washington Redskins in Osaka, Japan as part of the American Bowl series. After a breakout 2003 season in which Barlow had a 5.1 yard per carry average and 1024 yards, he became a restricted free agent. The 49ers gave him the starting job by releasing Garrison Hearst and signing him to a long-term deal for five years $28 million. The terms included $20 million, of an $8 million signing bonus fully guaranteed. Barlow suffered a knee injury that spanned for multiple games, crippling his play. The 2005 season seemed to mark a rebound in his running game. His play was severely affected when he received another knee injury, cutting his season short. He had 420 yards on 102 carries for a 4.0 average through 7 games before being sidelined due to injury. Barlow appeared in 72 games for the 49ers. He rushed for 3,614 yards and 24 touchdowns on 891 carries. He also added 1,143 yards on 137 catches. New York Jets Looking to replace Curtis Martin, after he suffered a serious knee injury, the New York Jets acquired Barlow from the 49ers on August 20, 2006, in exchange for their fourth round draft pick in