Saquon Barkley Cited as Benchmark for 2026 Running Back Prospects

Saquon Barkley served as the historical benchmark for the 2026 NFL Draft, specifically regarding the selection of Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love. Analysts frequently referenced Barkley's 2018 selection as the last time a running back was taken in the top five, providing context for the significant financial investment and draft capital teams like the Arizona Cardinals committed to the position this year.