Cleveland Browns: Is Derek Barnett a consideration at No. 1?

The Cleveland Browns are expected to select Myles Garrett with the top pick of the 2017 NFL Draft, but should they also look at Tennessee’s Derek Barnett?

It has become widely accepted that the Cleveland Browns will select Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett with the No. 1 overall selection of the 2017 NFL Draft.

The Browns desperately need a disruptive force on defense, so unless head coach Hue Jackson falls in love with a quarterback – or the Browns trade out of the top spot – Garrett seems like the safe pick.

But could the Browns be missing an even better opportunity by overlooking Tennessee defensive end Derek Barnett?

It is an intriguing question raised by Bucky Brooks at NFL.com, who lays out a pretty strong case that Barnett and not Garrett is the true defensive gem of the upcoming draft.

Barnett set a school record for sacks – surpassing Reggie White, who you may have heard of – and closed out his collegiate career with the second-most tackles for loss by a Tennessee player. He is also the only player in SEC history to post at least 10 sacks in three consecutive seasons.

According to Brooks:

"When I study the tape, I see a relentless pass rusher with an outstanding combination of skill and technique. Barnett is one of the best hand-to-hand combat fighters that I’ve watched in years, and his ability to win with a variety of slick maneuvers makes him nearly impossible to slow down off the edge. In addition to his superior hand skills, Barnett has the rare ability to win with finesse or power off the edge."

"He displays enough quickness, balance and body control to blow past blockers with dip-and-rip maneuvers or he can use a variety of power moves, including the butt-and-jerk or bull rush to get home off the edge. With Barnett also displaying a non-stop motor to complement his technically sound game, he’s like an old-school construction worker with a hard hat, lunch pail and a shiny toolbox. He has all of the rugged traits that you covet in a player while also displaying the skills to dominate at the next level."

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It is the part about Barnett having a “non-stop motor” that could set him apart from Garrett. As physically talented as he is, the one persistent question about Garrett has been that he does not perform to his talent on a consistent basis.

Related: Browns fans need to let it go

Now there are several ways to look at that, and characterizing Garrett as a player who “doesn’t try” all the time may not be fair to him. He played most of last season with a lingering ankle injury and it can be hard to tell how much opposing teams game planned to stay away from Garrett.

Of course, the same argument could be made about Barnett and he found a way to be productive despite being a player that opposing offenses paying attention to him.

It may be a bit of a stretch to think the Browns will pass on Garrett if they stay at the top of the draft, but Barnett could have what it takes to make them think twice about the order of their draft board.

Next: Browns will not overspend on Jimmy G

If nothing else, having options when it comes to the draft can never be a bad thing.

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Should Browns consider Derek Barnett at No. 1?

By Thomas Moore | Feb 25, 2017

The Cleveland Browns are expected to select Myles Garrett with the top pick of the 2017 NFL Draft, but should they also look at Tennessee’s Derek Barnett?

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