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NFL Mock Draft 2018: Complete first round after Week 12

By Andrew Miller

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins and Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans meet on the field after a 28-23 Trojan win at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins and Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans meet on the field after a 28-23 Trojan win at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – NOVEMBER 18: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions is forced out of bounds by Joshua Kalu #46 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers on November 18, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – NOVEMBER 18: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions is forced out of bounds by Joshua Kalu #46 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers on November 18, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

Penn State Nittany Lions. Saquon Barkley. 6. player. 56. . Running Back

While Penn State running back Saquon Barkley might be the best overall prospect in this class, it’s unlikely that he’ll be selected first overall. Running backs aren’t valued the same that they used to be and more are available on the free agent market at a lower price tag.

Due to so many running backs getting picked up in the second, third, and fourth rounds that ultimately become starters in their first few years in the league, the value at the top of the first round is not there anymore.

The Cincinnati Bengals tried their hand at finding a running back in the later rounds last season in Oklahoma’s Joe Mixon. Cincinnati has not found a single option that’s worked in the backfield so far. Mixon, Jeremy Hill, and Giovani Bernard are all struggling.

The Bengals have so many needs, and finding a head coach could be one soon as well. Marvin Lewis is not getting it done and the roster is going to be in flux during the off-season. Barkley would fix the backfield issue at least.

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