2018 NFL Mock Draft: Complete first round after pro days, trades

Needs: QB, CB, RT

If the Browns are able to trade this pick back or for a talented veteran I think they would take the trade. However, if they’re stuck at number four, Cleveland goes with the best player available and that’s Saquon Barkley. Barkley added to an offense with the talented skill guys they have in Duke Johnson, Josh Gordon, Jarvis Landry, Carlos Hyde and David Njoku plus their talented offensive line makes the Browns an instant threat to score every play. The rest of Cleveland’s draft would have to be spent on linebacker and defensive back but you can’t pass up on Barkley at number four.

Barkley adds a weapon in the running game, obviously, but also in the return game as he is a home run threat on kickoff returns. Cleveland would now have two players they could sell merchandise and tickets around coming to see in Sam Darnold and Barkley. As a junior at Penn State, Barkley averaged 5.9 yards per carry and 11.7 yards per reception. He also averaged 28.4 yards per kickoff return with a total of 25 touchdowns for the 2017 season.

Barkley reminds me of Edgerrin James when he came out of Miami in the 1999 NFL Draft. Barkley, like James, has the size to run with power while also being a weapon in the receiving game.