Saquon Barkley: Baller or Bust?

Saquon Barkley. One of the most unique idiosyncratic NFL prospects to ever enter the NFL draft. After an electrifying yet disappointing college career, Saquon Barkley is ready for the NFL. Saquon Barkley, raised in Coplay, PA was a borderline 4 star running back coming out of high school, even called a “longshot” to develop into anything. Saquon Barkley arrived at Penn State, a 200-pound running back running a 4.66 40-time. Saquon Barkley leaves Penn State a 230-pound physical runner with great pass catching ability, route running, and overall athleticism. In my opinion, Saquon Barkley is the best player in the 2018 NFL draft. His raw athleticism and strength combined with ridiculous physique is incredible. Saquon Barkley has many pros in his game, he is a great route runner, has spectacular breakaway speed and has great hands, something that is vital in star running backs in this generation of football. Saquon Barkley put the entire NFL on blast after his freakish combine results. Saquon posted a 4.40 40-yard time, which is faster than NFL stars Todd Gurley, Adrian Peterson, Ezekiel Elliott and even speedster Devin Hester. Not only was Saquon’s 40-time incredible, he bench-pressed 225 pounds 29 times which is more than hall of fame lineman Joe Thomas can do. Saquon leaped to a 41″ vertical which is higher than All-Pro wideout Julio Jones, Saquon finished with a 1.54 10-yard split, which is quicker than one of the shiftiest players of all time Desean Jackson. Saquon Barkley has the body and the ability to be not only an NFL star but an all-time great. In my eyes, if Saquon is drafted by the right team and utilized correctly he will explode. Saquon at times was misused during his college career which did not allow for him to fully take over games like he is easily capable of doing in the NFL, similar to the likes of Le’Veon Bell and Ezekiel Elliott. If the Cleveland Browns pass on Saquon Barkley with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, they will continue to pay for it down the line. In my eyes, the Browns need to add an every down running back and put together a strong offensive line in front of him. You look at the Cowboys, for instance, they have a franchise running back and a strong core of pro bowlers on their offensive line. Dak Prescott has struggled whenever Ezekiel Elliott was not in the lineup. Dak Prescott needs Ezekiel Elliott more than Ezekiel Elliott needs Dak Prescott. However, I think the best fit for Saquon is the New York Giants at the second overall pick. In the Giants’ offense, Saquon would benefit from the experience and leadership of Eli Manning, but also open up the offense for second-year all-rookie tight end Evan Engram, Sterling Shepherd, possibly free-agent Dez Bryant and of course All-Pro Odell Beckham Jr. The Giants the past three years have ranked in the bottom half of the league in rushing yards overall and rush yards per game. The lack of a solid run game in today’s NFL can be the main reason for several losses. When a team becomes one dimensional, they are easy to game plan and scheme against. Saquon would change that for the Giants and change the direction the Giants are currently heading around immediately. No matter what team Saquon goes to, I expect him to make a big splash in the NFL. Saquon is an outstanding prospect nonetheless the hype he is receiving might be a little extreme. Don’t get me wrong, Saquon is an MVP-caliber, possible hall of Famer type of player, but the hype is a little unreasonable. The average starting running back in the NFL only play/start 4.4 years on average. That statistic alone makes drafting a running back early in the draft seem injudicious. Nevertheless, anything can happen in the NFL and we will have to see what happens.