2018 NFL Mock Draft: Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen top first round
By Brad Weiss
Saquon Barkley
Running Back, Penn State
The Washington Redskins will once again have a big decision to make next offseason, as they still do not have a long-term plan for quarterback Kirk Cousins. Hopefully for Redskins fans, Cousins does not decide to head west, where he can join back up with his former coach Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco. If he does stay in Washington, there is other work to do, which includes bringing in an elite running back.
Robert Kelly is a decent player, and the team did spend a draft pick on Samaje Perine from Oklahoma last season. However, Saquon Barkley of Penn State may be the best running back prospect we have seen in a long time, and has the build to be a 25-carry play at the NFL level. Barkley has led the resurgence of the Penn State football program, and will leave school as one of the best players in the program’s history.
At the NFL level, Barkley would be a dominant player, as he is an incredible physical talent. He has the strongest legs in college football, and his exploits in the weight room are well-documented. Barkley is also a natural born leader, and would give the Redskins the kind of back that could really put some pressure on the defense.
The NFC East continues to get better, and after winning the division in 2015, the Redskins took a bit of a step back last season. Washington needs to be a more multi-faceted on the offensive side of the ball, and Barkley would give them the change of pace they need to make Cousins even more productive. If they decide to move on from Cousins, they may take a quarterback in round one, but Barkley is going to go in the top-10 regardless.