NFL Draft countdown: Where Saquon Barkley will land, and who's surging from Penn State
Frank Bodani
As the NFL Draft closes in, industry experts are still calling Saquon Barkley the best talent available.
He simply doesn't play the most valuable position.
And yet the shifting draft momentum now seems to be pointing toward Penn State's generational running back being picked before all of those quarterbacks on Thursday evening, except one.
The Cleveland Browns seem set on selecting either QB Sam Darnold, Josh Allen or Baker Mayfield at No. 1.
Then it will be up to the New York Giants at No. 2. Will they take a quarterback this highly to learn under 37-year-old Eli Manning ... or will they take the best overall talent?
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The choice may grow more difficult if USC's Darnold is still available at No. 2.
Remember this when it comes time for Giants' general manager Dave Gettleman to pick: He did draft a runner in the Top 10 last year for the Carolina Panthers ... and the Giants haven't owned a dynamic runner like Barkley in more than a decade.
He truly is a missing piece for this team.
If it doesn't play out that way, though, the Browns could easily scoop up Barkley with the No. 4 pick. Barring trades, Denver, Indianapolis and Tampa Bay follow.
Mike Gesicki
He's the most impressive pass-catching tight end in the draft. The 6-foot-6 All-America, who played more like a wide receiver, provides the elusive combination of ultra-sticky hands with speed and stunning leaping ability.
He's a first-year contributor in the red zone, at the least, for any NFL team.
He could go at the end of the first round to the New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings or Atlanta Falcons. Or will he slip to somewhere in Round 2?
Ultimately, teams could bypass Gesicki, at first, for a couple of better all-around tight ends who are valued blockers, as well.
DaeSean Hamilton
No Nittany Lion has helped themselves more since the end of the 2017 season. He followed a strong bowl performance by starring in all-star games and impressing at the NFL Combine and at Penn State's Pro Day.
He recently called himself the best route runner in the draft, and he may very well be. He looks headed for a long, steady NFL career reminiscent of former Lion Bobby Engram.
Hamilton seems destined to be picked on Friday, late in the second round or somewhere in the third. Possible destinations include the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots.
Marcus Allen
Often, he is talked about more for what he doesn't have — top-end speed and strong pass defense numbers. But the safety is a proven force in the run game and hits with authority. He's also durable.
Though some mock drafts suggest he's a possible second-round selection, the third or fourth round seems more on par.
The trendy pick is that he'll end up with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The rest of the Nittany Lions ...
The rest of the best-bet draft picks include linebacker Jason Cabinda and cornerbacks Grant Haley and Christian Campbell.
Could one or two others sneak in, too, such as receiver Saeed Blacknall or safety Troy Apke?
These five will determine if this draft truly is a historic one for Penn State. The Lions could rival their 10-player haul in 1996.
The story continues after this video from the Blue-White Game ...
Penn State's most likely middle- to late-round selections start with Campbell, the long and lanky cornerback. He should be the fifth Lion chosen, probably in rounds four or five.
Haley and Cabinda figure to be sixth- or seventh-round selections, their potential clear but limited by shortcoming (Haley lacks size; Cabinda lacks elite instincts and speed).
When: April 26-28 in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (home of the Dallas Cowboys)
TV: Rounds 1-3 will air on the NFL Network/FOX; Rounds 4-7 on the NFL Network
Breaking it down: Round 1 begins at 8 p.m., April 26; Rounds 2-3 begin at 7 p.m., April 27; Rounds 4-7 begin at noon, April 28.
