NFL.com analyst: Derek Barnett should be a Top-10 draft pick
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Derek Barnett left Tennessee early because he knows he has a bright future ahead of him in the NFL. Gil Brandt, an NFL.com analyst and former VP of player personnel for the Dallas Cowboys (1960-89) thinks Barnett will learn his new team not long after the draft starts.
Looking forward to speaking with Tennessee DE Derek Barnett. He's a top-10 pick, in my estimation.
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) January 12, 2017
Brandt’s prediction of top 10 status is very close to CBS Sports/NFLDraftScout.com’s projection of No. 11 overall. CBS lists Barnett as the No. 4 defensive end in a loaded position class which is expected to dominate the early picks. The site’s latest mock first round has Barnett going after No. 1 Jonathan Allen (Alabama), No. 2 Myles Garrett (Texas A&M) and No. 5 Solomon Thomas (Stanford).
If Barnett impresses teams at the NFL combine and in interviews, Brandt’s top-10 prediction could easily come true. Barnett’s 13 sacks in 13 games sacks led the SEC, placing him ahead of both Allen (10.5 in 15 games) and Garrett (8.5 in 11 games).
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
