After blowing scouts, general managers and coaches away during the combine, it’s being reported that Saquon Barkley is absolutely in play for the Cleveland Browns at No. 1 overall.
Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Media both believe he’s strongly being considered for the top spot in the draft by Cleveland.
After days of evaluation at the #Combine, one thing is clear: Penn St RB Saquon Barkley is firmly in the mix at No. 1 for the #Browns, sources say. Would be the first RB at that spot since Ki-Jana Carter to the #Bengals in 1995.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 4, 2018
Garafolo notes Baker Mayfield could also be in play at No. 4 overall.
Yep. Firmly. As in I truly believe he’s their pick at 1 as of right now. As for the QB and what they might do at 4, there is very strong buzz Cleveland likes Baker Mayfield a lot. https://t.co/WUzzqb9swA
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 4, 2018
Barkley’s combine was truly ridiculous (more on that here).
We’re talking about a 6-foot, 233-pound running back who’s faster than most players in the NFL and who can straight-up jump out of the gym (like this). He can also catch the ball better than many receivers and is a wizard on kickoff returns, too.
Barkley is truly a generational talent at running back, making even Ezekiel Elliott and Leonard Fournette look average by comparison. We have no doubt that there is some fire behind this smoke, and that the Browns will be seriously tempted to take Barkley at the top of the draft.
Unless, of course, Cleveland truly is enamored with Josh Allen, whose arm really is something special, too.