Rookie Rankings

The second overall pick in the 2018 draft, Barkley follows in the footsteps of Ezekiel Elliott and Leonard Fournette as running backs deemed worthy of top-five selections in recent years. Barkley has the skills to live up to that billing, as his standout career at Penn State was punctuated by frequent highlight-reel performances. Barkley's speed - a 4.4 40 at the combine - and top-shelf elusiveness and agility make it extremely difficult for defenders once he finds open real estate. At 6-0, 233, Barkley is a load to bring down, and his strong lower body allows him to pick up plenty of yards after contact, though he struggled at times running between the tackles. He also worked hard to turn himself into a three-down back who can help as a receiver and a pass protector, something the Giants needed to prioritize given their aging quarterback and shaky offensive line. The team did remake its line in the offseason, signing Nate Solder and Patrick Omameh as free agents and using a second-round pick on guard Will Hernandez, so Barkley should be able to use his moves to avoid hits two yards past the line of scrimmage instead of two yards behind it. Expect him to see a big workload as the new centerpiece of the Giants offense.

Arguably the most shocking selection of the 2018 draft, Penny went to Seattle with the 27th overall pick, the second running back off the board. The team definitely had a need at the position, but taking Penny over bigger-name backs like Sony Michel, Nick Chubb and Derrius Guice raised eyebrows. Penny, though, fits the mold Seattle looks for in a lead back at 5-11, 220, and, importantly, doesn't have the injury history of the aforementioned trio. During his final season at San Diego State he displayed both power and patience as a runner, letting his blocks set up before he trampled defenders in the hole. His surprising 4.46 40 time at the combine likely played into his rise up the Hawks' draft board, erasing any doubt regarding his athleticism. While the building blocks are there for him to be a solid NFL starter, Penny needs to work on his receiving and blocking to become a true three-down asset, and his upright running style and average elusiveness can lead to too much contact. Given the draft capital Seattle used to get him and the lack of established talent on the depth chart, Penny has every opportunity to seize the lead role, though he may end up in a training camp battle with Chris Carson.

The Buccaneers finally gave up on the idea that Doug Martin would be a consistent backfield weapon for them last year, and the front office wasted no time in finding his replacement, selecting Jones with the 38th overall pick in this year's draft. At 5-11, 205, Jones displayed breakaway speed throughout his college career at USC and likely would've done much better than his 4.65 40 time from the combine if he hadn't strained his hamstring while running (he improved to 4.48 at his pro day). Jones has a fluid, upright running style and doesn't take long to hit his top speed, displaying elusiveness in the open field and the ability to change directions on a dime. He wasn't used much as a receiver by the Trojans, but he's shown some natural ability in that area as well. Tampa has plenty of veteran options on the depth chart behind him, and concerns about his size could limit his touches out of the gate, but Jones figures to get every chance to prove he can be a difference-maker in the backfield.

Taken with the 26th overall pick, Ridley finds himself in a nearly ideal landing spot. The Falcons have a high-end QB in his prime and a playmaking void opposite an aging Julio Jones at receiver. Mohamed Sanu is a decent possession option, but he's slow and had only one 40-yard catch over the last two years. Enter Ridley, a polished route runner and accomplished college receiver who runs a 4.43 40 and has enough quickness to line up in the slot. At 6-1, 190, Ridley isn't especially stout, and he's already 23, so his ceiling might not be as high as some of the younger players in his class. But he should see targets out of the gate and has a good chance to be the team's No. 2 option before long.

The gruesome knee injury Chubb suffered on national television at Georgia as a sophomore still casts a shadow over his resume, but the 5-11, 227-pound power back proved the last two seasons that he still has plenty to offer an NFL club even if he doesn't quite have the same explosiveness he once did. Chubb's low center of gravity, pad level and outstanding balance allow him to plow through traffic and pick up yards after contact, so he could be a goal-line weapon in the pros. He doesn't have breakaway speed and hasn't shown much ability as a receiver, however, likely limiting his role to early downs and short yardage. Drafted 35th overall, he joins a crowded backfield that also has receiving specialist Duke Johnson and former 49ers lead back Carlos Hyde - a situation that likely will limit Chubb's touches as a rookie unless he significantly outplays Hyde. Chubb did show a great deal of improvement between his final two years at Georgia, and if he makes another leap heading into 2018 and regains more of the burst and quick-cut ability he flashed prior to his injury, he could push Hyde right out of the picture.