2018 NFL Mock Drafts Have Eagles Picking Penn State RB Saquon Barkley

Post NFL draft, a lot of talk has centered around the Eagles running back position. The Eagles currently have a bunch of backs that maybe fill a role, but no lead back that can close out a game.

And if Darren Sproles retires after this season, as expected, the Eagles will be down another key contributor in the back-field.  The current options include: Wendell Smallwood, fourth-round rookie Donnel Pumphrey, and Sproles.

Looking to the future, there are promising running backs expected to be available in the 2018 NFL Draft, and the Eagles could look to upgrade the position next year.

Sports Illustrated’s Chris Burke is already mocking it out and projects the Eagles to take Penn State running back Saquan Barkley, who racked up 1,496 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns for the Nittany Lions. Though some believe that the 5-foot-11, 222-pound Barkley, who ran a 4.33s 40-yard dash in spring testing, could go as high as No. 2 overall in the 2018 draft.

The (very) early expectation is that Barkley will lead the ’18 running back class, carrying the same hype as Ezekiel Elliott or Leonard Fournette. The likely Heisman contender has size and speed. It’ll be difficult for another RB prospect to bump him from the top spot.

Burke mapped out the order of picks by using each team’s Bovada’s Super Bowl odds for this upcoming season. That meant Philadelphia is drafting 10th overall in the mock.

If that sounds a bit crazy, its's not too crazy.  Over at CBS Sports, Will Brinson’s too-early mock draft Brinson has the Eagles taking Barkley with the 13th overall pick.

Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State: The Eagles invested in Donnel Pumphrey during this draft, but now they're interested in getting a workhorse. Barkley rushed for 1,496 yards and 18 touchdowns last year.

So Penn State fans, get your Eagles jersey's ready!