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2018 NFL Draft: Saquon Barkley’s agent disputes report

By Maxwell Ogden

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 04: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions tries to escape the tackle of Joe Bachie #35 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 04: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions tries to escape the tackle of Joe Bachie #35 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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It was reported that Saquon Barkley is giving the Cleveland Browns the Eli Manning treatment ahead of the NFL Draft. His agent quickly disputed the report.

Though he didn’t necessarily set the precedent, Eli Manning is becoming a verb. Manning infamously refused to play for the then San Diego Chargers, thus resulting in the franchise’s decision to trade him to the New York Giants.

In the years that have followed, any time a player has refused to play for a team that may intend to draft them, it’s been said that players are, “Pulling an Eli.”

The latest player to receive that distinction was Penn State Nittany Lion running back Saquon Barkley. Ben Baskin of Sports Illustrated recently published an article that claimed Barkley’s representatives are attempting to keep him away from the Cleveland Browns.

According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, Barkley’s agent, Kim Miale, quickly responded by disputing Baskin’s report.

"“As Saquon’s I can say on behalf of our entire team that we would be thrilled for Saquon to go to whichever team drafts him,” his agent, Kim Miale told cleveland.com in a text response. “We know he will be a resounding success for any team fortunate enough to select him.”Asked if the report were true that Roc Nation advised the Penn State product to pull a Manning, Miale said “no.”"

One could argue that Miale is just saying what needs to be said, but that’s highly unlikely in this situation.

Barkley is a running back in a pass-heavy era, but he’s garnered comparisons to Detroit Lions legend Barry Sanders. He’s a shifty runner when speed and agility are what he needs to utilize, and also has a power element that can’t be understated.

Barkley is also a dynamic receiver who can help move the chains through the air with his uncanny ability to line up and make plays all over the field.

Thus, it should come as no surprise that the Browns have interest in selecting a generational talent who can diversify the offense.

The working theory is that Cleveland will select a quarterback at No. 1 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. Barkley is widely regarded as the No. 1 overall prospect, however, which is certainly reason to consider him as the top pick.

Whether or not the Browns go through with selecting Barkley, what’s clear is that he won’t be opposed to playing in Cleveland.

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The question is: Will this disputed report influence the Cleveland Browns’ line of thinking come the 2018 NFL Draft?

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