Saquon Barkley Wants to Be the LeBron James of the Browns, According to Friend

Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley, one of the top prospects in the 2018 NFL draft, reportedly told a friend he wants to play the role of LeBron James for the Cleveland Browns.

On Wednesday, Ian O'Connor of ESPN.com provided comments from Barkley's longtime friend Kayla Cunningham about his desire to help turn around the struggling franchise.

"He told me, 'If I can be LeBron James in Cleveland and turn that program around and win the Super Bowl, it would be the best thing I've done in my life,'" she said. "Who thinks like that? Nobody wants to go to the Browns, and here he is saying: 'I want a statue. I want to be that image for Cleveland.'"

The Browns own the first and fourth overall selections in this year's draft, which kicks off April 26 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported last month that Barkley was "firmly in the mix at No. 1" after his terrific showing at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

That talk has faded in recent weeks as a dash toward the top of the draft order has begun, highlighted by the New York Jets' trade up to No. 3 with the Indianapolis Colts. But with teams seeking one of the class' top quarterbacks, Barkley could still be available with the fourth pick.

Browns head coach Hue Jackson confirmed the playmaker was under consideration late last month.

"We need players. You guys have seen our team. Let's be very honest," Jackson told reporters at the owners meetings in Orlando, Florida. "We need guys that come in and make a difference, and Barkley is definitely one of them. He'll be in the discussions."

He added: "I think he's definitely in the conversation. Tremendous character, tremendous football player and I think he's going to help an organization."

If the Browns select Barkley and a quarterback with their first two picks to bolster an offense that already features running back Carlos Hyde as well as wide receivers Josh Gordon, Jarvis Landry and Corey Coleman, the stage would be set for a massive turnaround after the team ranked 24th in total offense last year and went 0-16.

It's a lofty goal to try to match the legacy of James, who grew up in Northeast Ohio, got selected by the Cavaliers with the No. 1 overall pick in 2003 and returned to Cleveland in 2014 after a stint with the Miami Heat to lead the organization to its first NBA title in 2016.

Barkley possesses the game-changing talent to make it happen if he does land in Cleveland, though.