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Cleveland Browns rumors: Saquon Barkley’s agency doesn’t want him a Brown

By Ryan Rosko

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions on the sidelines during the first half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions on the sidelines during the first half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Just over a week to go before the Cleveland Browns are on the clock, Roc Nation shared their feelings about the team in relation to one of their client’s future.

With two of the first four picks, the Cleveland Browns are sitting in a great spot when it comes to selecting the exact players they want. Should the first three picks be quarterbacks, Cleveland will have multiple options to choose from.

One of them is Penn State running back Saquon Barkley. He is arguably the best player in this draft. The question, however, is Barkley at four too high for general manager John Dorsey? If Barkley is on the board then everyone would know the answer in a matter of minutes.

However, what if Cleveland is set on Barkley at one despite the need for a long-term answer at quarterback? By choosing Barkley first, he would be the first running back selected first since Penn State’s Ki-Jana Carter in 1995.

Choosing Barkley at one isn’t a scenario that should be thought about anymore given the dire need for a quarterback. However, apparently, it is still a possibility Barkley’s agency, Roc Nation, isn’t dismissing just yet. Keeping all scenarios open, Roc Nation is not liking the pairing.

According to Sports Illustrated’s Ben Baskin, Roc Nation wants Barkley to be drafted later instead of going to Cleveland.

"“His Roc Nation handlers, however, don’t want him to be taken No. 1. They don’t want him in Cleveland. They want him to go second to the Giants and play in the media capital of the world.”"

As great of a prospect Barkley is, he does not have any leverage. Roc Nation is going to have to accept whichever team that drafts him, whether they like it or not.

Speaking of leverage, via Baskin, Roc Nation wanted Barkley to force where he would play but Barkley did not move forward with that suggestion.

"“His manager even implored him to pull an Eli Manning and demand that the Browns not draft him. Barkley never considered the option.”"

Barkley is not on the level Eli Manning was as a prospect back in 2004, so suggesting a forced trade is silly. Roc Nation is doing their job trying from their point of view to get Barkley into a situation they are comfortable with. That part is understandable but what happens if both the New York Giants and New York Jets bypass him in favor of a quarterback or another position instead?

Then, as a result, Cleveland drafts him fourth. Will Roc Nation still feel the same way?

Barkley’s agent Kim Miale told cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot that the Sports Illustrated report is false. I am more interested in what happens with Roc Nation’s approach if Barkley still ends up going to Cleveland but at four.

Next: A 2018 NFL Draft worth believing?

With Cleveland having multiple first rounders, it makes all the sense in the world to refute the report. Do I buy it? No. What else is an agent supposed to say?

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