Is Nick Singleton The Next Saquon Barkley? 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report & SPS Grade

While the 2026 Fantasy draft season is nearing, Penn State’s Nicholas Singleton is drawing direct comparisons to the “quad-god” himself. But does he have the elite underlying profile to become a perennial All-Pro like Saquon Barkley? To find the answer, let’s look into what the scouts are saying and take a peak into what the viral Star-Predictor Score (SPS) reveals about his NFL trajectory.

Everybody knows Saquon Barkley is a gold-standard “generational” prospect. Further, he remains one of the highest-graded RBs in the SPS database, which has measured 627 total prospects since 2003. Barkley’s profile was validated through his generational production. Is Singleton on a path headed towards that same elite tier? Let’s dive deeper into his film and analytical background.

Nick Singleton’s Film Breakdown: Pros & Cons

The following consensus film critiques are derived from looks into Singleton’s game film, highlighting his positive and negative traits:

The Pros (The “Elite” Upside)

• Physical Downhill Identity: Singleton describes himself as a “physical back first and foremost” who prioritizes getting North-South. This “downhill” style, paired with 6’0″, 227-lb frame, allows him to punish defenders at the point of attack (The Draft Network).
• Elite Scoring & Security: Singleton finished 2025 with 13 rushing touchdowns (25th in FBS) and zero fumbles on 124 carries. His ability to protect the football while finishing in the red zone is a massive analytical plus (PFF).
• The “Complete Back” Skillset: Striving to prove he is a “complete running back,” Singleton highlights his versatility as a runner, blocker, and natural pass-catcher out of the backfield—modeling his game after dual-threats like Christian McCaffrey and Jahmyr Gibbs (The Draft Network).
• Receiving Reliability: He showed solid hands in 2025, catching 24 passes for 219 yards and only one drop. He is a “home run” threat on simple flares or wheel routes (PFF).

The Cons (The Refinement Needs)

• Efficiency Concerns: Despite his tools, his 4.4 yards per carry ranked 299th among HBs in 2025. This indicates a struggle to generate consistent yardage when the primary lane isn’t open (PFF).
• Inconsistent Yards After Contact: His 2.69 YCO/ATT ranked 351st in the FBS, suggesting that he currently lacks the elite “Saquon-level” tackle-breaking ability needed for the next level (PFF).
• Middling Lateral Agility: While explosive vertically, Singleton lacks elite ‘wiggle’ or change-of-direction. He is less effective when forced to make defenders miss in space and can be caught from behind if he has to redirect his momentum (A to Z Sports).

What Is Nick Singleton’s SPS Grade?

For those of you who aren’t familiar, The Star-Predictor Score (SPS) is a scouting tool designed to maximize investment potential and reduce risks when drafting rookies in Fantasy Football. It is proven to have a higher accuracy than draft capital alone to predict fantasy football success. The SPS includes 13 to 17 metrics, with the exact number varying by the player’s position. All metrics are pre-NFL – and some are proprietary to BrainyBallers – providing a complete analysis of a player’s analytical profile. The SPS gained widespread notoriety for its high accuracy, having made it on Barstool and The Pat McAfee Show. The SPS database can be found here, and future projected SPS grades can be unlocked here.

As the Pat McAfee crew noted when reviewing our top 10 all-time Quarterbacks graphic: “They haven’t missed… those are all the guys they predicted would be stars and they hit on all of them.” 

*If you are already a Premium BrainyBallers member, use this link to view Nicholas Singleton’s SPS Grade.

SPS Eligibility Disclaimer

Note: To maintain the highest level of predictive accuracy, the SPS model is only applied to RB prospects projected within the top 104 picks of the NFL Draft. If a player’s projection or actual draft capital falls outside this range, they do not qualify for an official SPS grade. Current 2026 projections reflect Singleton as an eligible prospect.

The Verdict

Can Nicholas Singleton follow the Saquon Barkley blueprint and become the face of an NFL franchise? While his physical traits are undeniable, the Star-Predictor Score digs into the 17 distinct metrics—like missed tackles forced and explosive run rate—to see if he’s a “Generational Star” or a “High-End Athlete.”

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