2018 NFL Draft: Saquon Barkley is the can’t-miss top prospect
Former Penn State running back Saquon Barkley is the best player in the 2018 NFL Draft, and it’s nor particularly close. Will he be the No. 1 overall pick?
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There was no player more electrifying in college football last season than Penn State running back Saquon Barkley. He registered rushing touchdowns, receiving touchdowns, kick return scores and even a touchdown pass.
In three seasons at Penn State, Barkley racked up 3,843 rushing yards, 1,194 receivers yards and 500 return yards – a total of 5,538 all-purpose yards. All those yards led to 54 touchdowns and nearly earned Barkley an invitation to New York City for the Heisman Trophy ceremony. He didn’t secure an invitation, but he did finish forth in the voting for the award given to the nation’s best player in 2017.
Regardless of his finish in the voting, coaches are drooling over what Barkley could bring to an NFL team. His former offensive coordinator, Joe Moorhead, said this:
"He’s a five-tool guy. He can do it all. He has speed, power, can run through you or hurdle over you. You can put him in the slot. He can return kicks. And he’s worked hard to become a great pass protector"
After a sensational collegiate career, Barkley elected to leave school early and enter the 2018 NFL Draft. It came as no surprise to his many fans when he produced a dominant week at the NFL Combine. That led to the obvious question – is Barkley worth the top pick in the draft?
Strengths
The 6-foot, 233 pound Barkley is a compact back that runs with poise and focus. Not many see the field better than Barkley, who’s elusiveness and grace in the open field make him incredibly difficult to bring down. Barkley isn’t just twitchy. He possess the top end speed which makes him a home run threat on every play.
The ease with which he moves through contact leave defenders in the dust before they realize where he’s gone. Barkley constantly keeps his legs moving and doesn’t give up on plays, even when the box is stacked against him. A feature back behind a less than stellar offensive line at Penn State, Barkley has had plenty of practice making something out of nothing.
Weakness
Barkley led all running backs with 29 reps on the bench press at the NFL Combine. He’s strong, but the power aspect of his game wasn’t showcased in college to the same degree as his quickness.
Looking for the big play too often, Barkley does more east/west running than he should. He gets caught looking too far ahead, settling for short losses rather than a conservative four yard gain. Big plays are important, but so is moving the chains.
Pass protection is a question mark, as is his focus on plays where he doesn’t have the ball in his hands.
Next: Latest first round NFL Mock Draft post Combine
Draft expectations
The biggest threat to Barkley’s quest for the No. 1 overall pick is his position. Saquon Barkley is not a quarterback. The value of drafting a player at his position so high simply isn’t there, which is why a running back hasn’t been the top selection since fellow Penn State rusher Ki-Jana Carter went No. 1 to the Bengals in 1995. Barkley will be the first player off the board after the top quarterbacks are selected early in the first round.