2014 NFL Mock Draft: Anthony Barr Out of Top Ten Picks?

Dec 31, 2013; El Paso, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Anthony Barr (11) walks off the field after winning the 2013 Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium. UCLA defeated Virginia Tech 42-12. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

For basically the entire season, one player that has been in the top five of NFL Mock drafts is UCLA pass rush star Anthony Barr, a guy who just started playing defense a year ago.

He was dominant in 2012 as a junior OLB, racking up 82 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, four forced fumbles, and a blocked kick, and he followed it up with a great senior campaign. This past year, Barr notched 66 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and a whopping six forced fumbles.

So, you can imagine my surprise when Barr didn’t show up in the top 10 of either Rob Rang or Dane Brugler’s newest 2014 NFL Mock drafts, which debuted on Monday.

Rang had Barr going 11th overall to the Tennessee Titans, and Brugler had him going one pick later at number 12 to the Giants. I don’t think either of those teams would be upset to have Barr drop to them in the draft, but I don’t see how he’s going to fall that far.

What are his major flaws as a prospect, other than being somewhat raw on the defensive side of the ball? At 6’4″ 248 pounds, Barr has as much upside as any defender in the draft, possibly including Jadeveon Clowney, who is the consensus number one defensive player.

Barr has proven over the last two years that he can make plays all over the defense, especially behind the line of scrimmage.

Here are the full mock drafts for your reading entertainment.