Saquon Barkley NFL Draft Profile

The following is a 2018 Saquon Barkley NFL Draft Profile highlighting everything that you need to know about the Penn State running back. Listed below is his scouting report highlighting strengths and weaknesses while looking at his NFL comparison and his projection. Here at NFL Draft Geek we also like to provide all of our play cut ups, video breakdowns and any other important articles that will give our full view of who we think he is as a prospect.

Saquon Barkley NFL Draft Profile

Height: 6’0  Weight: 233  School: Penn State

Positives

  • Ankle flexibility allows him to turn the corner or change direction sharply.
  • Good acceleration allows him to get to top speed within a couple of steps
  • Lateral agility to make explosive cuts to his sides to get to running lanes or elude defenders
  • Elite speed to break off long chunk runs and run away from defenders
  • Able to make catches outside of his frame and adjust to off target throws
  • Shows the ability to run routes both out of the backfield and in the slot
  • Dynamic kick returner with 2 TDs in 2017

Concerns

  • Tends to take bad losses trying hard to break off a long run
  • Doesn’t run with great power
  • Can be tackled too easily often being taken down by the first defender
  • Needs to improve pass protection
  • Will leave himself vulnerable to some bigger hits

Summary

Ever since Saquon Barkley stepped foot onto a college football field he’s been one of if not the best player of the field using dynamic speed and explosiveness to elude and run away from defenders. Barkley is a physical freak using a powerful lower body and good agility to make quick lateral cuts not only to get away from defenders but to get to running lanes. All Barkley needs is a crease and he is able to burst through the line and then get into an extra gear to run past defenders and reel off chunk runs. As a receiver Barkley catches the ball naturally and is able to adjust to balls outside of his frame. Barkley still has improving to do running routes but shows that he understands how to set up his routes and create separation.

The big concerns on Barkley is whether he can run with consistency between the tackles. Barkley can get a bit impatience when there is nothing open in front of him and try too hard to create something out of nothing and end up taking big losses instead of no gains. He’ll have to show in the NFL that he can be a bit more patient and that those struggles are not vision related. Another concern is Barkley despite gaudy weight room numbers he doesn’t run with a ton of power which shows in his inability to break tackles or being tackled too easily.

Projection

With his elite combination of size, speed, quickness and pass catching ability Barkley has the potential to quickly become one of the elite running backs early on. However for Barkley to reach his full potential he’ll need to go to a team that will fully utilize his skill set running outside and as a receiver. Barkley should be a lock as a top 10 pick and only will fall out of the top 5 because of so many quarterback needy teams.

 

Player Comparison: David Johnson

 

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Game Clips