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Former Tennessee Vols DE Derek Barnett a Top 5 Projected Pick in One Mock NFL Draft

By Caleb Calhoun

Mar 5, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Derek Barnett goes through workout drills during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Derek Barnett goes through workout drills during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Former Tennessee football defensive end Derek Barnett is a Top 5 projected pick in one mock NFL Draft. He’s the only Volunteers player who can go that high.

Leading up to the 2017 NFL Draft, analysts have had to battle between two lines of thought surrounding former Vols star Derek Barnett: his play on the field and his performance at the combine.

Related Story: NFL Draft: 4 Reasons Derek Barnett Should Go Way Before Myles Garrett

Of course, anybody with a functional brain should lean more heavily on his play on the field. That’s way more important, and play on the field is the one thing that has Barnett projected to go so high.

The thing that makes it more obvious is that Barnett only had trouble at the NFL Combine because he was sick all week.

So really, it’s a no-brainer to focus on his elite field of play, and one mock NFL Draft is now taking that into account.

Pro Football Focus online projects Barnett going No. 4 to the Jacksonville Jaguars. That’s behind Jonathan Allen, Marshon Lattimore, and the highly overrated Myles Garrett.

Here’s what the site said about Barnett.

"Another spot in the draft that is difficult to lock in, I’m going with another piece along the defensive line for the Jaguars. Barnett may not be an athletic freak, but his on-field production has been right on par with Garrett’s during their three years in the SEC and he’s finished as a top-three edge defender in each of the last two seasons. Barnett is strong against the run and he’s continued to improve as a pass-rusher, finishing his career with 34 sacks, 43 QB hits, and 110 hurries on his 1,126 rushes."

Of course, this is not entirely accurate. Barnett was extremely more productive than Garrett was in their three years of college. He actually racked up stats in games that mattered.

Again, this should be a no-brainer. Barnett is a football player, and he should actually be going over Garrett.

Even if Garrett has more talent, you know Barnett will perform more consistently. Doesn’t that count?

Must Read: SEC Expansion: Top 14 Candidates and How Each Would Affect the Vols

Anyway, at least Pro Football Focus understands that more than many other mock NFL Draft sites.

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