With The First Pick
Fansided

2018 NFL Mock Draft: Final evaluations before the Scouting Combine

By Maxwell Ogden

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 17: Quenton Nelson #56 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after a 10-yard touchdown reception by Corey Robinson against the USC Trojans in the fourth quarter of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 17, 2015 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 17: Quenton Nelson #56 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after a 10-yard touchdown reception by Corey Robinson against the USC Trojans in the fourth quarter of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 17, 2015 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions dives with the football as he is tackled by defensive back Taylor Rapp #21 of the Washington Huskies during the first half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions dives with the football as he is tackled by defensive back Taylor Rapp #21 of the Washington Huskies during the first half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Penn State Nittany Lions. Saquon Barkley. 3. player. 46. . Running Back

The Indianapolis Colts desperately need to improve the pass rush, but nothing matters more right now than keeping Andrew Luck healthy. In order to do so, the Colts must find ways to lighten his workload—something that can be achieved with a single selection at No. 3 overall.

With that goal established, it would behoove the Colts to select running back Saquon Barkley and thus enable Luck to split the workload with a potentially elite playmaker.

I wouldn’t normally justify selecting a running back in the top five, but Barkley is the best talent in this draft class. He can run between the tackles, bounce outside the hash marks, line up in the slot, and make his mark in the return game.

With the ability to play all three downs on offense and even contribute on special teams, Barkley would alleviate a significant amount of pressure from Luck.

With Barkley at running back and T.Y. Hilton at wide receiver, Indianapolis’ offense would become significantly less predictable. That would make it more difficult to bring the blitz, as Barkley is just as much of a threat to bounce outside or end up in the flat as he is to split the guard and center.

There’s no way to guarantee they’d achieve this status and notoriety, but giving Luck a version of Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown would make the game considerably easier to manage.

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