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F O O T B A L L Lions' 2018 draft class ready to take next step Six members strong, Penn State's 2018 draft class was its biggest in eight years. But while that previous class was de- fense-oriented, with future NFL stars Jared Odrick, Sean Lee and NaVorro Bowman making up the first half of the six-player 2010 contingent, this year's group was highlighted by a pair of offen- sive standouts: Saquon Barkley and Mike Gesicki. Barkley went to the New York Giants with the second selection of the first round, becoming the Nittany Lions' highest pick since 2000, when Courtney Brown and LaVar Arrington went one- two. Gesicki went early in the second round to the Miami Dolphins, and he was eventually followed by three stand- out defensive backs and another record- setting offensive player. Here's a look at where everyone landed and how they fit in with their new teams: SAQUON BARKLEY It's no surprise that New York has rushed to embrace the former Nittany Lion All-American. The Giants plunged to 21st in the league in total offense (314.2 yards per game), 26th in rushing offense (96.8 ypg) and 31st in scoring (15.4 points per game) last season. Barkley, with his spectacular highlight reel and do-it-all resume, will help bring those numbers up. The only question: How much? The Giants are hoping he will have the same effect on their offense that he had on Penn State's. Even when he wasn't handling the ball himself, Barkley com- manded the full attention of opposing defenses, opening up opportunities in the passing game that Trace McSorley and the receivers were able to exploit. The Giants didn't have that threat last year, but they will now. And they will have a number of players who figure to benefit from the focus on Barkley, as Odell Beckham is coming back from a season-ending ankle injury, and wide- out Sterling Shepard and tight end Evan Engram are also back. "You look at teams with a solid run- ning game and great running backs, and it opens the door for a lot of things in the passing game," Engram told NJ.com, "especially over the middle of the field, because that's where a lot of tight ends get their production. It's exciting. I'm excited to see him make the transition. I'm excited to get to work with him and give some veteran advice to him." One of the elements that could make New York a lot more effective this com- ing season is the play-action pass. The Giants emphasized the shotgun the past few years, but new coach Pat Shurmur has been a big proponent of the play-ac- tion passing game, and Barkley gives them the threat they need to create hesi- tation in defenses. Shurmur told WFAN Radio that the Giants thought Barkley was the best player in the draft. "It's easy to see on tape," he said. "Once we met him, we knew he was the total package. He can run it, catch it, great in pass protection. Easy to keep on the field." MIKE GESICKI Chosen in the second round by Miami with the 42nd overall pick, Gesicki joins a tight end group that includes MarQueis Gray, A.J. Derby, Thomas Duarte and Gavin Escobar. Of those four players, Gray and Derby were the only ones to catch passes for the Dolphins last year, combining for three receptions. With no one firmly estab- lished at the position, the former Nit- tany Lion is viewed as a potential starter. Gesicki's athletic ability, which was on display at the NFL Combine in February, is what sold the Dolphins. General man- NEWS & NOTES | Barkley photo: Mark Selders/ Penn State Athletics

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