NFL Mock Draft 7.0: Round 1 of the 2018 NFL Draft
By Ian Cummings
Penn State. Saquon Barkley. 7. player. 48. . Running Back
With a supposed quarterback run occupying most of the top five in the NFL Draft, there’s a god chance that Penn State running back Saquon Barkley could fall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Buccaneers are in dire need of a running back. They recently cut veteran Doug Martin, and there are no proven options remaining on the roster. Their offensive line needs work, which ultimately had an affect on the run game last season. But regardless, when a talent like Barkley becomes available, for a team that needs exactly what he has, a decision shouldn’t be hard to make.
As for what makes Barkley great, everything has already been said and paraphrased several thousand times. For his size, Barkley has incredible speed and athleticism, and he carries impressive momentum. His balance through contact is otherworldly, and he can bend and twist to keep himself upright better than even the best running backs in the NFL today.
Consistency and decision making at the line constitute minor issues for Barkley, but only that. He has the talent to be a very good player for a very long time, and by picking him in the NFL Draft, the Buccaneers can ensure that their offense maintains top-notch talent at skill positions.