Saquon Barkley’s agent denies report about trying to avoid Browns

Saquon Barkley’s agent has denied a report stating that the highly-touted running back has been advised to do everything he can to avoid being drafted by the Cleveland Browns.

As part of a profile in Sports Illustrated, SI’s Ben Baskin wrote that Barkley’s Roc Nation representatives don’t want him in Cleveland and have gone as far as to “pull an Eli Manning” and tell the Browns to pass on him. This was quickly denied.

“I can say on behalf of our entire team that we would be thrilled for Saquon to go to whichever team drafts him,” Barkley’s agent Kim Miale told Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com. “We know he will be a resounding success for any team fortunate enough to select him.”

Amazingly, this isn’t the first rumor we’ve heard about a top prospect trying to duck the Browns. The good news for Barkley, if true, is that it sounds like the Browns will go quarterback first overall and he probably won’t be left for them to get a second chance at him at No. 4.