4 Overhyped Philadelphia Eagles heading into 2020 NFL season
Derek Barnett, defensive end. . player. 54. . .
We begin a Philadelphia Eagles 2017 NFL Draft double play with Derek Barnett.
If you read ITI from time to time, you’ve, no doubt, read this a time or two. It’s very important to point out though, so it bears repeating. That “Derek Barnett broke Reggie White‘s sack record at Tennessee” narrative needs to be thrown into whatever garbage bin it was fished out of.
It’s misleading, mostly because Barnett’s career collegiate career exceeded the one the “Minster of Defense” crafted by 17 games. Sure, Barnett owns the record, but that last tidbit has a lot to do with it.
It shouldn’t have taken you three seasons of pro football to find out that Derek Barnett is never going to be Reggie White. The Eagles have moved on from Michael Bennett and Chris Long too early because of what Barnett was supposed to be. Every season, we’re talking about potential breakout seasons.
Maybe we should talk about something more realistic. Barnett is a nice rotational player who could be above-average if surrounded by other great players.