Eagles roster: Extensions, player roles, other ideas about the defensive line

Philadelphia Eagles edge rusher Derek Barnett

Derek Barnett was drafted with the 14th overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft. He has yet to live up to the confidence that they placed in him. He’s been a mixed bag with the Eagles, to say the least.

His career has resulted in 21.5 sacks and three fumbles so far. The questions are about how we should value him. He isn’t the long-term answer that you’d want a first-rounder to be, but he isn’t quite a bust either. He’ll never be B.G. or Fletch, but thank goodness that he isn’t Marcus Smith, perhaps the most infamous first-round bust of the past 20 years.

Think about this though. Barnett was selected by the Eagles just sixteen picks ahead of T.J. Watt whom the Pittsburgh Steelers landed at 30. Let that sink in for a second.

Barnett hit the free-agent market for a brief spell in March of 2022 but ultimately re-signed with Philadelphia on a two-year deal. He represents a cap hit of $2.7 million in 2022 and $4.0 million in 2023. He tore his ACL in the 2022 season opener in Detroit versus the Lions, but the Eagles have a potential out in his deal that falls during the next offseason. Stay tuned.

If Philly determines that they will stick with him, 2023 figures to be yet another prove-it year. Fortunately, he has nearly 12 months of recovery time to get ready. He’ll also be just 27 years old in 2023.