Detroit Lions: Saquon Barkley/Barry Sanders comparison is a mistake

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Saquon Barkley #26 of Penn State Nittany Lions leaps over a diving tackle by Taylor Rapp #21 of the Washington Huskies during the second quarter of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. Penn State won 35-28. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Saquon Barkley #26 of Penn State Nittany Lions leaps over a diving tackle by Taylor Rapp #21 of the Washington Huskies during the second quarter of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. Penn State won 35-28. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
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Saquon Barkley impressed at the NFL Combine, However, I’m calling B.S. on all the comparisons to another B.S., a Detroit Lions’ legend.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 02: Penn State running back Saquon Barkley looks on during the 2018 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 02: Penn State running back Saquon Barkley looks on during the 2018 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

After a stellar performance at the NFL Combine, Saquon Barkley is a sure fire Top 5 pick in the upcoming draft.

At this point, wouldn’t be at all surprising if he went first overall.

The elusive running back out of Penn State is many things…

  • 2 time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year
  • First team All-American
  • Superior athlete, and breakaway threat both as a runner and pass catcher
  • Potential All-Pro if he plays up to projections

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But why do people feel the need to compare him to Detroit Lions‘ legend Barry Sanders??

At first, I only heard the comparison by fans who I figured were either exaggerating or didn’t know what they were really looking at.

However, now I’m seeing it on Barkley’s draft profile at NFL.com.

What am I missing here?

Other than both being really good running backs, are the two players really that similar?

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