Texas A&M's Myles Garrett has been the top pick in everyone's mock draft since the beginning of the college football season and that hasn't changed at all. However, NFL.com writer and former NFL scout Bucky Brooks thinks that there's a better pass rusher available in Tennessee's Derek Barnett.
It's well-established that Texas A&M's Myles Garrett is viewed as the top pass rusher in the draft, but Tennessee's Derek Barnett definitely deserves consideration for the honor after terrorizing the SEC as a destructive force off the edge for three seasons. In fact, you could make the argument that Barnett should own the No. 1 spot at the position after wreaking havoc on SEC foes as the Vols' designated pass rusher.
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While the 6-foot-5, 262-pound Garrett had an impressive career with 141 total tackles, 31 sacks, 47 tackles for loss, an interception and one fumble recovery it might not be quite as impressive as Barnett's totals. The 6-foot-3, 265-pound Barnett broke Reggie White's school sack record and finished with the second-most tackles for loss in Vols history. In addition, Barnett is the only player in SEC history to finish with at least 10 sacks in three straight seasons.
So while Garrett might have the speed, size, height and athleticism you like to see in the pass rusher, Barnett has the stats and similar traits as Garrett, but just two inches shorter. He can finish with finesse or power and is relentless off the edge and one executive gave him a pretty glowing comparison.
"He's not going to run a fast 40, but if you like tough, violent, high-motor players with production, you'll love him," said an AFC executive. "He kind of reminds me of a young Terrell Suggs coming out of Arizona State."
NFL.com's current mock draft has Barnett going No. 14 to the Indianapolis Colts.
