NFL Draft 2018: 3 reasons Saquon Barkley should be No. 1 pick
1. Home run hitter
In 2017, there was no more electrifying player in college football than Saquon Barkley. He averaged almost six yards a carry, 11.7 yards per reception and 28.4 yards per kick return on 14 kickoffs.
Most of Barkley’s touchdown runs came over long distances as well. In Penn State’s 13 games last season, his longest run was over 20-plus yards in 10 of their 13 games. He also seemed to time up his runs at just the right moment, such as this one to start the game against Michigan.
Saquon Barkley had 108 Yards and 2 Touchdowns in Penn States Dominant win over Michigan #PennState #SaquonBarkley #Heisman pic.twitter.com/hN9pvBhVrt
— UnderNeath (@UnderNeathSport) October 22, 2017
Barkley also made big plays in the passing game as well, too. He hauled in 54 passes for 632 yards and three touchdowns, all of them coming over 40-plus yards. This touchdown, also against Michigan showcases his great hands, his concentration and his ability as a route runner.
Perhaps what separates Barkley from the rest of the running backs in this years class is his abilities as a return man. His most memorable return came against Ohio State to open the game as he sprinted end to end on a 97-yard return to give Penn State an instant 7-0 lead.
Penn State's Saquon Barkley returns the opening kickoff 97 yards for a TD vs the Ohio State Buckeyes. #OSUvsPSU #CollegeFootball pic.twitter.com/EeJ6L3UuvC
— Swapty Sports (@SwaptySports) October 28, 2017
Next: NFL Mock Draft 2018: Complete 7-round projections
We have not seen a running back of Saquon Barkley’s likeness in the NFL at all. He has ability to be a powerful runner like Adrian Peterson, elusive as Barry Sanders, and can catch the ball like Darren Sproles all put together in a massive 235-pound frame. The Cleveland Browns would be almost foolish not to take Barkley first and their future quarterback number four.