Ranking every Eagles starting defensive lineman from best to worst

Eagles defensive end Derek Barnett

We’ve almost reached the end of a five-year run in which Derek Barnett has positioned himself to be, quite possibly, one of the biggest first-round draft busts in the history of the Philadelphia Eagles, and folks, for a franchise that drafted Mike Mamula over Warren Sapp and, more recently, Jalen Reagor over Justin Jefferson, that’s saying a mouthful.

These days, Barnett is more known for what he’s done wrong than what he’s done right. The man that made the phrase ‘it’s always him’ famous in Philadelphia has on foot out of the door, and for most die-hard fans of this football team, Number 96 can’t get out of here fast enough.

Derek Barnett is the reason the Eagles said goodbye to Chris Long early. He was supposed to be the heir apparent to Brandon Graham. He hasn’t made good on any of that, nor has he justified the top-15 selection that the Eagles used on him.

Here’s how this probably ends up. Barnett will walk in free agency, and the Eagles, despite all of the confidence that they have instilled in the former Tennessee Volunteer, will be forced to draft another pass rusher, not only to take Barnett’s place but also to compensate for the fact that B.G. will probably leave after this season as well.