2018 NFL Mock Draft: New York Giants 3-round mock 3.0
By Sean Dyer
RB. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 31. Penn State. Saquon Barkley. 1. player
Saquon Barkley is the most talented player in this year’s draft class. Plain and simple. If the Cleveland Browns pass on Barkley with the first overall pick, the New York Giants should waste no time making him their new feature back.
Barkley is a complete back. He has power, speed, and elusiveness. He even returns kicks. Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller went as far as calling Barkley “Mr. Perfect”.
Who wouldn’t want Mr. Perfect in their backfield? I know the Giants and their fan base would.
Orleans Darkwa and Wayne Gallman were both solid in 2017 and look to have the makings of above average NFL running backs. However, above average won’t help the Giants catch the champion Eagles.
Philadelphia used a three-headed monster in the backfield this season with LeGarrette Blount, Jay Ajayi, and Corey Clement. Big Blue could take a similar approach with Barkley, Darkwa, and Gallman.
The Giants could also give Barkley the lion’s share of the carries, let Darkwa walk in free agency, and have Gallman spell Barkley when needed. After all, Saquon is the most talented running back we’ve seen in a long time. Just about every NFL scout expects Barkley to be better than Todd Gurley, Melvin Gordon, Ezekiel Elliott, and Leonard Fournette.
Barkley’s former offensive coordinator only sees one way to stop him at the next level:
"Barkley was described by his former offensive coordinator, and current Mississippi State head coach Joe Moorhead, as “Smart, humble. He’s the rare guy whose humble attitude supersedes his talent.” So how do you stop Saquon Barkley? “Draft him,” is what Moorhead said NFL teams should do."
Seems simple enough. However, only a handful of NFL teams will have a chance to draft Barkley as he’s a lock to go in the top-10 and could very well go in the top-five.
Luckily, the New York Giants could have the opportunity to snatch him up at No. 2 overall. Adding Barkley to an offense that already features Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard, and Evan Engram could be dangerous for opposing defenses.