There's no disputing the kid's talent. It's overwhelming. It's amazing. It's, at the risk of gushing all over the place, superhuman. The problem is obvious: Saquon Barkley plays running back, a devalued position that hurts all wishful NFL workhorses this time of year.
This introduction invites us to an interesting scenario that could benefit beyond an organization's wildest dreams.
Should the Cleveland Browns select this other-worldly back, a new evil genius squad has just shown face.
Recent word around the Indy campfire at the NFL Scouting Combine has one team thinking about ditching the universally sound thought that running back is that devalued as according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Penn State product Saquon Barkley is “firmly in the mix” to the Cleveland Browns as the No. 1 player taken off the board on the night of Thursday, April 26, 2018.
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
“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.”
It makes it much easier when the team selecting first overall is also accompanied with the fourth overall choice.
The Browns need a quarterback and as luck would have it, there are four (or five, depending on who you speak to) kids available, ready to nearly take the overwhelming position as next “face of the franchise.”
Perhaps Barkley is so good that Cleveland takes him at No. 1 and allows the quarterback chips to fall where they may at the No. 2 pick.
Think about it. The New York Giants don't need a quarterback, for the time being, anyway. Dave Gettleman is an old-school head and from all indications, it seems as though they're happy with Eli Manning continuing on with Davis Webb as the subtle, unassuming backup.
Think about Baker Mayfield backing up Eli. You kidding me? The moment Manning stumbles is the very instant the New York tabloids go nuts with Mayfield back pages.
As of this moment, Barkley seems to be the Giants guy at No. 2. That scenario gets turned on its head if the Browns take him first.
The fanbase is already an older, prickly personality calling for Manning's head each time Ereck Flowers allows a free rusher. Those fannies sitting in MetLife Stadium coupled with the tabloids could lead to a disastrous situation if Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Josh Allen or Sam Rosen as the man behind Eli.
The Indianapolis Colts select No. 3. Andrew Luck still exists, despite the angle of some minds.
Unless Indy trades back, they won't be selecting a quarterback either. Luck, while he's experienced his issues, simply cannot be moved. His contract is one in which too many hits would be absorbed should the organization select a young arm and attempt to move the Stanford vet.
Although Bradley Chubb is the name mainly mocked to the Colts, again, Barkley is possible to Indy as well.
Guess who's selecting No. 4? That's right, the Cleveland Browns who, if they take Barkley No. 1 overall, will also be in a position to possibly choose the first quarterback off the board with the fourth selection in the draft.
When thinking about the strategy, it's obvious. It just hasn't been an obvious mainstream topic thus far.
Why? Perhaps it comes back to the fact Barkley plays running back. Perhaps it's due to the idea that Browns need to plug so many holes that a dangerous cover corner, beast of an offensive lineman or edge rusher is on the menu.
For Cleveland, the menu is diverse this spring. Holding eight picks in the first four rounds makes hole-plugging at those important positions that much easier. This also allows the evil genius method we're discussing a reality.
The Browns need to select superhuman Saquon Barkley No. 1 overall. It'll put pressure on the New York Giants, Indianapolis Colts and the rest of the quarterback-hungry teams looking to trade up.
If nothing crazy happens, the Cleveland Browns will come away with Saquon Barkley and the first quarterback taken off the board in the four-hole.
Saquon Barkley first and then either Josh Allen or Sam Darnold fourth? Not bad. The Browns hold all the chips and by going running back first, they put pressure on everybody else.
It's genius. It turns the Cleveland Browns into evil geniuses.
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