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Derek Barnett 2017 NFL Draft scouting report and analysis

By Sayre Bedinger

Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) and Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Avery Gennesy (65) in action during the game at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeat the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) and Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Avery Gennesy (65) in action during the game at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeat the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 30, 2016; Nashville , TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) tackles Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Terrell Newby (34) after a short gain during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Nashville , TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) tackles Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Terrell Newby (34) after a short gain during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Weaknesses

It’s not easy to find weaknesses for a player like Derek Barnett. I would more classify these as areas he could work on.

You certainly can’t knock a guy for not working through double and triple teams to make plays, but there were a number of games (mostly against SEC competition, teams familiar with Barnett) where the defensive end would get washed out of plays for an extended period of time.

Because of his size and length, Barnett can get locked up by opposing tackles and guards, and will have to prove he can win those one-on-one battles in the NFL where he won’t see nearly as many double teams early on.

I noticed a few times where Barnett mis-timed the snap count and jumped offsides, which isn’t uncommon for a player like him. Of course, his greatest strength is beating a tackle around the edge and bending himself around to find the quickest route to the quarterback, so he’s going to jump at times. But is he relying on guessing the snap count rather than just using his initial quickness to beat tackles?

Despite his great three-cone time at the Scouting Combine, Barnett looked a little sluggish at times trying to change direction. You don’t expect him to look like a nimble-footed defensive back, but you’d like to see more of that timed speed and quickness on the field.

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