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2017 NFL Draft Prospects Who Must Step Up in Week 7

By Shawn Spencer

Dec 26, 2015; El Paso, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Stacy Coley (3) reacts after having a touchdown reception called back on a penalty during the second half against the Washington State Cougars at Sun Bowl Stadium. The Cougars won 20-14. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; El Paso, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Stacy Coley (3) reacts after having a touchdown reception called back on a penalty during the second half against the Washington State Cougars at Sun Bowl Stadium. The Cougars won 20-14. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 NFL Draft Derek Barnett
Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) rushes past Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Avery Gennesy (65) during the second half at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeat the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Derek Barnett (DE – Tennessee) vs. Alabama

In the first three games of the 2016 season, Derek Barnett failed to record a single sack. Over the past three games, all versus SEC opponents, he’s sacked the quarterback five times. With Tennessee defenders Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Cameron Sutton missing a significant amount of time this season, Barnett has raised his level of play at the right time for the Volunteers.

Barnett was a four-star recruit out of high school and immediately made an impact in Knoxville. In 2014, he started 10 games and set school records for most tackles for a loss and sacks by a true freshman. He’s continued to attack the quarterback as a sophomore and again this year as a junior. Whether he declares for the 2017 NFL Draft, or waits until 2018, he’s expected to be a first-round pick.

This weekend, Tennessee will host the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. In what may be the most intriguing one-on-one matchup of week seven, Barnett will go head-to-head with Alabama left tackle Cam Robinson. Robinson is well on his way to being the first offensive lineman selected in the 2017 NFL Draft.

In their previous two matchups, both Alabama wins, Barnett and Robinson have been fairly even matched. Barnett has registered eight tackles, 2.5 for a loss and one sack over the past two meetings. The sack however, did not come against Robinson as Barnett was lined up on the opposite side of the line. With pass rushers becoming more of a priority in the draft, Barnett can work his way up the board with a good showing against Robinson.

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