2018 NFL Mock Draft: Sam Darnold goes to Browns

By Brad Weiss | Apr 25, 2018

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Sam Darnold (14) of the USC Trojans during a college football game between the UCLA Bruins vs USC Trojans on November 18, 2017 at the Los Angeles memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – NOVEMBER 18: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions carries the ball on a touchdown run during the first quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on November 18, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Nebraska 56-44. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

31. . Running Back. Penn State. Saquon Barkley. 2. player

New general manager Dave Gettleman has said he wants to pick a future Hall of Fame player with the No. 2 overall pick, and there are a few prospects who look the part heading into draft night. One of those prospects is Penn State running back Saquon Barkley, who did a bit of everything for the Nittany Lions during his college days. In fact, Barkley was so good that Penn State was competitive for the first time in a long time, and he should be a top-5 pick on Thursday night.

As a running back, Barkley can make all the plays, and has tremendous hands out of the backfield. the New York Giants have not had a real running back in a long time, and Barkley has the kind of skill set that could land him in Canton. Not only is a beast on the offensive side of the ball, but he was also one of the best return men in the Big Ten during his time at Penn State, making him a lethal weapon.

The Giants are building to win now, as they know their window with Eli Manning is closing. If somehow the Browns do not select Sam Darnold in round one, the Giants could grab him, but that scenario will have to play itself out. Look for the Giants to pick Barkley at No. 2, making him the best running back New York has seen in a very long time.

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