NFL Draft 2018: Giants' Saquon Barkley scouting report | 'A bigger Barry Sanders'

Saquon Barkley was chosen by the Giants with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft after capping his Penn State career with 5,038 yards from scrimmage and 51 total touchdowns across three seasons.

No team since 1970 has produced more first-round running backs than Penn State, and Barkley becomes the 10th Nittany Lions runner chosen over that span.

Below are several Barkley scouting reports, for an in-depth look at the type of player he has the chance of becoming in the NFL:

Third-year junior. “That dude is built to last,” one scout said. “He’s a big Barry Sanders.” Versatile runner-receiver-returner led RBs with a 41-inch vertical jump and tied for most on the bench press with 29 reps. “The total package,” another scout said. “Can get the tough yards. Can win in space. Good on third downs. Hands. Quality character. He’s got vision, balance, he’s been durable.” Finished with 671 carries for 3,843 yards (5.7) and 43 touchdowns to go with 102 receptions for 1,195 yards and 8 TDs. “He was their No. 1 receiver in most games,” said a third scout. “When he catches the ball it’s like a touchdown. When he returns it’s like it, too. You know you’re getting a guy that can carry it 20 times a game. You also know they’re going to have to keep (extra) people in the box to stop him.” Rushing total dipped from 1,496 in 2016 to 1,271 in ’17 due in large part to four games under 60 yards. “Was it because he was getting game-planned against and they really didn’t have other guys in their offense to offset it?” said a fourth scout. “I know the O-line at Penn State has been horrible the last few years. Why was the previous year so much better than this year?” Scored 18 on the 50-question Wonderlic intelligence test. “He’s supremely skilled but not nearly as ferocious of a runner as (Leonard) Fournette or Zeke Elliott or even Todd Gurley,” said a fifth scout. “I didn’t see the fight with him that those other guys had. I didn’t think he was quite as aggressive or as physical. Is he in that mix? I suppose so.” From Coplay, Pa.

Barkley is an explosive runner with a rare combination of size, speed, body control and competitiveness. He displays burst to turn the corner and run away from pursuit when he catches daylight. He has the lateral quickness to make defenders miss in the hole and on the second level. Barkley shows good vision and patience running between the tackles in addition to a good feel for cutback lanes and open field instincts. He takes care of the football. His career fumble percentage (0.5 percent) on offensive touches is excellent and he didn't fumble once despite 271 offensive touches in 2017.

He's not a bulldozer who pushes the pile in short yardage situations but he's a tough runner with the size, balance and strength to regularly pick up yards after contact. Barkley has above-average overall ball skills, and is a developing route runner with the burst to separate and big-play threat after the catch. He also has the size and toughness to quickly develop into an effective pass-blocker in the NFL.

The top prospect on our board, Barkley projects as a Day 1 every-down back with the elite talent and elite intangibles to become a franchise-changing player. He's gifted enough to earn emerge as an All-Pro caliber player early in his career. Barkley carries the highest running back grade we've given since former Sooners great Adrian Peterson. As far as NFL comparisons go, Todd Gurley (Rams), Ezekiel Elliott (Cowboys) and Barry Sanders (former Lion) are all fair in their own right.

Every-down running back with the ability to alter the course of an offense and become a face of the franchise-type player. Barkley has the rare ability to create additional yardage through elusiveness, speed, vision and feel for space in the open field. While he has been tasked with carrying a heavy load at Penn State, their decision to limit his carries somewhat this season could help Barkley headed into his rookie season. Barkley is a buffet runner who thrives with the more plates you give him and he has a chance to become an early All-Pro no matter which team takes him.

Barkley's natural running skills are off the charts. He is extremely fast to hit the hole with rare acceleration downfield. Barkley's game-breaking speed makes him a threat to score on any touch. He has the ability to constantly produce long touchdown runs. Routinely, Barkley would make a great cut to dodge a tackler and then explode down the field for a game-changing play. His long speed, first-step explosion, and instant acceleration are off the charts.

Barkley has tremendous footwork and balance to cut around defenders and maintain his footing after they initiate contact. With his powerful build, Barkley runs through tackles and bends at the knee to run behind his pads. He charges for yards after contact, and his legs don't go dead on contact. While Barkley's speed and explosion catch the eye so easily, he also is a physical runner who uses power and strength to run over defenders. There were plays where his awareness and instincts made him seem like he had eyes in the back of his head with how he was able to take away angles from defenders downfield.

Barkley is going to be an asset and a mismatch weapon in the passing game. As a receiver, he is phenomenal. He runs superb routes to create separation and get open for his quarterback. Barkley has soft hands and tracks the ball well. He is a dangerous mismatch weapon with his speed and shiftiness in the open field. Barkley could have the ability to line up in the slot and run routes like other talented receiving backs of Alvin Kamara and Christian McCaffrey. In pass protection, Barkley is a willing blocker who will dish out some good hits. Once he learns his protection assignments. Barkley should be a good three-down starter in the NFL.

Barkley? Never been in trouble off the field. Never been hurt. In fact, one scout brought up the old Marcus Mariota red flag when talking to me about him. "It's like Mariota—his biggest red flag might be that he doesn't have one," he said, jokingly. I think.

Barkley is rare. As Moorhead told me, "He's a five-tool guy. He can do it all. He has speed, power, can run through you or hurdle over you. You can put him in the slot. He can return kicks. And he's worked hard to become a great pass protector."

If that all sounds too good to be true, you might think it's just an old coach wanting to help out his former player. But when talking to an NFL general manager for this story, he asked me for the highest grade on my scouting grading scale. "A 9.0," I replied. "Put that by his name."

Yes, the quarterbacks will dominate the next five months because we're all fascinated by the position, and it is still the most important one in sports. But don't forget about the best player in this class: Mr. Perfect, Saquon Barkley.

Strengths
- Terrific lower-body strength
- Incredible lateral-quickness
- Great vision in the open field
- Soft hands as a receiver
- Outstanding work ethic
- Leads by example
- Potential to continue to grow into a complete back

Weaknesses
- Top half needs more bulk
- Needs to learn to read blocks, be patient, and resist continuously bouncing runs outside
- Would like to see him leave his feet less and lower his shoulder more
- Raw in pass protection