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Vols DE Derek Barnett Goes To New York Giants In Mel Kiper’s Latest Mock Draft

By Zach Ragan

Nov 19, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) during the first quarter against the Missouri Tigers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) during the first quarter against the Missouri Tigers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee Vols defensive end Derek Barnett, who broke Reggie White’s all-time sack record at UT, is expected to be a first round pick in the upcoming 2017 NFL Draft.

Vols defensive lineman Derek Barnett is holding steady in the latest slew of 2017 NFL mock drafts.

Most of the recent mock drafts show Barnett being drafted in the first round in the 20-25 range.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper’s latest mock draft has the New York Giants selecting Barnett with the 25th overall selection.

Here’s what Kiper says about the pick:

"If you’re shocked this isn’t an offensive tackle, I don’t think you’ll be surprised by the end of April when you’ve heard plenty about the blocking talent in this class. Barnett has been tremendously productive as a pass-rusher, and even if Jason Pierre-Paul is back, the Giants could use the help. If he’s not, then a pass-rusher is a must."

It sounds like Kiper thinks Barnett will be too talented of a player to pass up that late in the first round.

And he’s probably right.

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Barnett proved at Tennessee he was a special player, yet for some reason he isn’t getting the attention he probably deserves.

In my opinion, Barnett is a top ten pick. He’s an incredibly gifted pass rusher, and he’s quite athletic — despite the recent concerns about the numbers he will put up at the draft combine.

If Barnett does indeed fall to the latter half of the first round — which looks like it will be the case — then someone is a getting a hell of a bargain.

There aren’t many players in this draft more gifted than Derek Barnett.

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