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Tennessee football: Draft grades for every Vol selected since 2017

By Dean Zulkofske

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 21: Derek Barnett #96 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on prior to the game against the Carolina Panthers at Lincoln Financial Field on October 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 21: Derek Barnett #96 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on prior to the game against the Carolina Panthers at Lincoln Financial Field on October 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 21: Derek Barnett #96 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on prior to the game against the Carolina Panthers at Lincoln Financial Field on October 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 21: Derek Barnett #96 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on prior to the game against the Carolina Panthers at Lincoln Financial Field on October 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Defensive End. 2017 Round 1 No. 14. 3. 54. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Derek Barnett. player

Draft Grade: A

The most highly touted prospect from Tennessee football’s impressive 2017 draft class, many expected Derek Barnett to be UT’s next first-round draft selection. The Philadelphia Eagles believed that as well and drafted the Nashville, Tenn. native with the No. 14 overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Immediately, comparisons were drawn between Barnett and former Vol and Eagles great, Reggie White. Fans may remember that Barnett broke White’s all-time UT sack record with 33 over three seasons on Rocky Top.

Barnett registered 18 solo tackles, five sacks and one forced fumble as a rookie in 2017. He also recovered two fumbles, one of which sealed the Eagles’ Super Bowl LII victory over the New England Patriots. Through four seasons in Philly, Barnett has 101 total tackles and 19.5 sacks.

Ask any Eagles fan, and more likely than not they’ll be pleased with taking Barnett in the first round of the 2017 Draft. The Eagles also could’ve drafted Jonathon Allen, Takkarist McKinley or Taco Charleton as a defensive end with the No. 14 pick in 2017, none of which have the 19.5 sacks that Barnett has.

Soloman Thomas, a defensive end taken before Barnett, only has six sacks through four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. Overall, Barnett was a great pick at No. 11 for the Eagles. Five years later, they still have a starting defensive end and the first Lombardi Trophy in franchise history.

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