NFL Draft: The history of running backs taken No. 2 overall

Saquon Barkley was selected second overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. Five other running backs have been taken No. 2 since 1983.

Former Penn State running back Saquon Barkley was selected by the New York Giants with the second overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Barkley had a remarkable NFL Combine as the 6-foot-0, 233-pounder ran a 4.40 in the 40-yard dash adding a 41-inch vertical as well.

Barkley spent his time in College Station, Penn., as a threat to score on any play. Over his three-year career, Barkley eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing marker in all three seasons. A weapon both from scrimmage and in the kicking game, Barkley totaled 3,843 rushing yards and scored 52 touchdowns from scrimmage and another two touchdowns on kickoff returns for the Nittany Lions.

In the NFL, Barkley joins Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr. on the New York Giants. The consensus All-American in 2017, Barkley will make an immediate impact in the NFL. He could play the Terrell Davis role for Eli Manning in the twilight of his Giants career. The big question is will Barkley be more Blair Thomas or Marshall Faulk?

Since 1983, five running backs have been taken in the second overall slot of the NFL draft. Those backs are Blair Thomas, Ronnie Brown, Reggie Bush, Eric Dickerson and Marshall Faulk. Two of the five are in the NFL Hall of Fame, one was a complete bust in Thomas, and Brown and Bush had solid careers as professionals. Which will Barkley be? He has a bright future ahead and could put up a Bush-type career or better in the NFL.

Here are the details on the five other NFL running backs selected No. 2 overall in the draft.