On December 31, 2017, Barkley, who was a projected top 10 pick by many, declared his intentions to enter the 2018 NFL Draft.
In the weeks leading up to the NFL Combine Barkley's stock rose even higher.
By late February, mock drafts projected him as the second pick selection overall, the highest for a running back since Reggie Bush in 2006.
Mel Kiper Jr., who has history of being against drafting running backs in the first round, said "Barkley is a once in a lifetime talent, teams that pass on this young man will be sorry."
At the combine, Barkley had a widely praised performance, running a 4.40 sec 40-yard dash and pressing 225 pounds for 29 reps, tying for the most reps at the running back position.
According to Ian Rapoport, the Cleveland Browns were "strongly considering" drafting Barkley first overall, which would have made him the first running back since Ki-Jana Carter in 1995 to go first overall.

The New York Giants drafted Barkley as the second overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
On July 22, 2018, Barkley signed a four-year deal worth $31.2 million fully guaranteed featuring a $20.76 million signing bonus with $15 million of the bonus received immediately (remaining bonus received in October).
On December 31, 2017, Barkley, who was a projected top 10 pick by many, declared his intentions to enter the 2018 NFL Draft. In the weeks leading up to the NFL Combine Barkley's stock rose even higher. By late February, mock drafts projected him as the second pick selection overall, the highest for a running back since Reggie Bush in 2006. Mel Kiper Jr., who has history of being against drafting running backs in the first round, said "Barkley is a once in a lifetime talent, teams that pass on this young man will be sorry." At the combine, Barkley had a widely praised performance, running a 4.40 sec 40-yard dash and pressing 225 pounds for 29 reps, tying for the most reps at the running back position. According to Ian Rapoport, the Cleveland Browns were "strongly considering" drafting Barkley first overall, which would have made him the first running back since Ki-Jana Carter in 1995 to go first overall. 
The New York Giants drafted Barkley as the second overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. On July 22, 2018, Barkley signed a four-year deal worth $31.2 million fully guaranteed featuring a $20.76 million signing bonus with $15 million of the bonus received immediately (remaining bonus received in October).
Saquon Barkley