Chicago Bears: Big board for 2018 NFL Draft

7. Running back Saquon Barkley, Penn State

What good would a 2018 big board be without the top overall player in this year’s class? Saquon Barkley is an absolute dream for the Bears at no. 8, but in the event that something wild and crazy happens, he’s right here waiting at number seven on my list.

The reason he’s not first is simple: It’s not a realistic scenario for the Bears to land Barkley. If the Bears had the first overall pick in the draft, maybe we could discuss Barkley at the top spot.

Still, there is a big problem at hand: What do you do with Jordan Howard?

Here come all the Bears fans ready to jump down my throat about trading Howard. Listen, I am a firm believer in Howard. I see him as a clear-cut premier back in this league. But, if the Bears have a chance to grab Barkley and pair his explosiveness with Tarik Cohen, under Nagy’s offense, who says no to drafting this kid?

Barkley is one of the best running back prospects I have seen in about a decade. The last player I saw like this coming out of college was Adrian Peterson, and even he wasn’t as freakish of an athlete as Barkley, nor did Peterson possess the all-around game.

Barkley can do everything. He has the speed. He has the burst. He has the vision. He has the athleticism — have you seen him leap over defenders? He did it on the regular at Penn State.

He can also catch the ball well out of the back field.

If, by some miracle, Barkley is available at eight, the Bears will draft him. Mark my words. But, that’s a huge “if.”