With The First Pick
Fansided

Cleveland Browns: Two-round 2018 NFL Mock Draft after blockbuster trades

By Maxwell Ogden

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: Penn State running back Saquon Barkley looks on during the 2018 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: Penn State running back Saquon Barkley looks on during the 2018 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis, 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 rushes the football against the Washington Huskies during the second half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions rushes the football against the Washington Huskies during the second half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

The question here is simple: Do the Cleveland Browns go all-in on offense or defense during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft? The group of Tyrod Taylor, Duke Johnson Jr., Jarvis Landry, and Josh Gordon would certainly be solid, but adding a star running back will be a vital step.

Thankfully for the Browns, the No. 1 overall player on the board is also the best running back prospect in quite some time: Saquon Barkley.

Barkley is the best runner and receiver amongst the running backs in this draft class. He can find and hit gaps along the interior of the offensive line, bounce outside the tackles, and create something from nothing with his rare combination of size, speed, and strength.

Barkley is also a tremendous receiver, as evidenced by the fact he led all running backs in this draft class with 54 receptions—for 632 yards and three touchdowns, no less.

With Barkley and Johnson in the backfield, and a trio of Gordon, Landry, and Corey Coleman at wide receiver, the Browns would have an explosive offense. Whether or not you believe in Taylor, his job would become significantly easier with this personnel.

Cleveland needs nothing more than talent, and Barkley is the single best player in the 2018 NFL Draft—positions be damned.

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