Oddly enough the quietest point of the entire 2017 NFL draft weekend may have been when Roger Goodell announced the Eagles selection at 14th pick. Defensive end Derek Barnett was greeted with boos and uncertainty from the 200,000 plus fans in attendance. Perhaps Eagles fans were hoping for a more familiar name, an early corner back selection, or instant running back help? Here are five reasons why the mundane reaction to Derek Barnett was off base.
- He Broke Reggie White’s Tennessee Sack Record
If a player is mentioned in the same sentence with arguably the greatest Eagle ever, Reggie White, he’s doing something right. Before Derek Barnett joined the University of Tennessee football team, Reggie White held the school record with 32.0 career collegiate sacks. With his 33rd sack, Barnett ironically broke White’s sack record 33 years later.
Ironic being the key word here. Barnett recognizes how uncanny it is to break the Eagles legend’s record, and then get drafted by the same team, “It’s just very ironic and it’s crazy how everything plays out,” Barnett stated. “I couldn’t even guess I was going to come here and Reggie White played here; you know what I’m saying? He probably is the greatest defensive lineman to ever play the game, so it probably is ironic.” Even Reggie White’s son is in awe of the parallels between Barnett and his late father.
So the guy who broke my dads record goes to Philly. Wow. # My guess though. He won't break my dads sack total. Good luck. #ReggieWhite
— ThatsMrWhite! (@ThatsMrWhite) April 28, 2017
As White’s son mentioned, if Barnett wants to break his father’s NFL sack total, Barnett will need 125 sacks. Barnett broke White’s sack record once – who’s to say he can’t do it again?
- Barnett Had a More Dominating College Career Than #1 Overall Pick Myles Garrett
Yes that’s a daunting and dramatic headline, so let’s briefly break things down. Barnett lead the SEC last season with 13.0 sacks, while Garrett only had 8.5. In fact, in the previous two seasons Barnett had 19.0 sacks against SEC competition, compared to Garrett who finished with single digit sacks at 9.0. Additionally, in 2016 Barnett led the SEC in tackles for a loss with 19.0. In comparison, Garrett had 15.0, which ranks 7th best in the SEC.
Even ESPN’s Mike Greenberg, who sent out an equally vague and eye opening tweet, has heard various sources that believe the Eagles 13th pick is destined for a better career than the Browns number one overall pick.
Multiple people I trust think Derek Barnett will be better than Myles Garrett. #Eagles
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) April 28, 2017
Collegiate numbers aren’t everything – Garrett may have a considerable edge over Barnett in physical measurables, but when it comes to production against elite competition, the numbers favor Barnett.
- Barnett is Considerably Young For an NFL Draft Pick
Howie Rosemen certainly did not waste the Eagles first round draft pick on another 26-year-old volunteer firefighting rookie. Derek Barnett is only a mere twenty years old. In fact, according to Reuben Frank, Barnett is the second youngest player the Philadelphia Eagles have ever drafted.
Derek Barnett is 20 years, 10 months.
Sidney Jones is 20 years, 11 monthsDion Lewis was 20 years, 7 months.
Those are 3 youngest. https://t.co/PobCKyyqzn
— Reuben Frank (@RoobNBCS) April 30, 2017
The oldest player on the Eagles, punter Donnie Jones, at age 36, is 16 years older than Barnett. Barnett cannot even purchase his first legal drink until he turns 21 on June 25th. With a player this young and raw, yet already with historical amounts of production in college, the Eagles have a lot to work with.
- Pro Football Focus Believes Derek Barnett is the Third Best Prospect in the 2017 NFL Draft Class
The headline says it all. According to ProFootballFocus.com the Eagles got an absolute steal by drafting Barnett all the way at 14. PFF has Barnett only behind Jonathan Allen and Myles Garrett in their prospect rankings. The combination of Barnett’s consistency and production throughout his college career is why PFF has him at the top of their coveted list.
- He’s a Huge Meek Mill Fan
While searching through Barnett’s social media accounts to dig up dirt and/or previous scandalous tweets made by the 14th overall pick…I found literally nothing, he is beyond wholesome and motivated. However, I did notice he is a massive Meek Mill fan. Routinely throughout both his Instagram and Twitter pages, the Tennessee Volunteer’s sack leader posts pictures, album covers, and lyrics from the notorious north Philadelphia rapper.
https://twitter.com/MeekMill/status/588893505013096450
https://www.instagram.com/p/e3r-giBRKp/
https://www.instagram.com/p/KY4ur8hRNs/?taken-by=dbarnett25&hl=en
He broke Reggie Whites sack record, and has repped Meek Mill far before he knew he was going to be an Eagle. Philly, I think we have got ourselves a gem.