Prospect on the rise
Kiper: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee: Barnett has been a monster the past three weeks, registering 5.0 sacks, a few more tackles for loss and several play disruptions. He's extremely consistent for the Volunteers, getting pressure on quarterbacks while lined up at both tackle and end. He even dropped into coverage a few times. In Tennessee's loss to Texas A&M on Saturday, the 6-3, 265-pound Barnett showed that he's an all-around defender, beating multiple double-teams and making run stops. And the effort's there, too, which makes up for him not having an elite first step off the ball. I see Barnett as a 4-3 defensive end in the NFL, not a 3-4 outside linebacker, but that shouldn't hurt his value. He's a really good player. Barnett was No. 18 on my last Big Board, but I expect him to move up a few spots.
Kiper: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee: Barnett has been a monster the past three weeks, registering 5.0 sacks, a few more tackles for loss and several play disruptions. He's extremely consistent for the Volunteers, getting pressure on quarterbacks while lined up at both tackle and end. He even dropped into coverage a few times. In Tennessee's loss to Texas A&M on Saturday, the 6-3, 265-pound Barnett showed that he's an all-around defender, beating multiple double-teams and making run stops. And the effort's there, too, which makes up for him not having an elite first step off the ball. I see Barnett as a 4-3 defensive end in the NFL, not a 3-4 outside linebacker, but that shouldn't hurt his value. He's a really good player. Barnett was No. 18 on my last Big Board, but I expect him to move up a few spots.
