With The First Pick
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The Reemergence of the Elite Running Back

By Jedidiah Bicker

Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) is defended by USC Trojans linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) in the second quarter during the 103rd Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. USC defeated Penn State 52-49 in the highest scoring game in Rose Bowl history. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) is defended by USC Trojans linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (42) in the second quarter during the 103rd Rose Bowl at Rose Bowl. USC defeated Penn State 52-49 in the highest scoring game in Rose Bowl history. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) reacts after making a touchdown against the USC Trojans during the third quarter of the 2017 Rose Bowl game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) reacts after making a touchdown against the USC Trojans during the third quarter of the 2017 Rose Bowl game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State: Barkley is the top rusher on my and many other analyst’s board. He is the closest thing to a cant miss prospect in the upcoming draft.

Saquon has great speed and field vision. He will give defenses fits with his ability to run not only vertically but also from side to side. Barkley has an amazing ability to run through tackles but also can fly past the defense not giving them a chance to even touch him. Throughout the season he gave Penn State the ability to stay in games.

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Barkley is a pretty good blocker, although it is an area he could use a little bit of work on. He does a good job of getting in the way of defenders. He will need to be a little more aggressive at the point of attack when taking on blocks. For a running back he does a good job of handling guys that are much bigger.

He is an excellent pass catcher. Barkley is so good that if he was to bust as a running back (not likely) he could probably move positions. He is reasonably tall at almost 6′ and can lineup inside in the slot or outside on the edge. Saquon does a great job of working the short and intermediate routes but also can go deep.

All in all Barkley has the talent to be a top 5 pick. With the upcoming quarterback class being highly touted I don’t expect him to go number one overall. However if a team like Cleveland or Chicago who secured their future passer in last years draft is sitting there, they would run to the podium for Barkley.

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