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NFL Draft: Early Look at 32-Team Round 1 Mock for 2017

By Peter Panacy

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Justin Jackson (21) runs the ball against Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Derek Barnett (9) in the second half at the 2016 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Tennessee defeated Northwestern 45-6. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Justin Jackson (21) runs the ball against Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Derek Barnett (9) in the second half at the 2016 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Tennessee defeated Northwestern 45-6. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /

player. 44. . Defensive End/EDGE. Atlanta Falcons. Derek Barnett. 23

The Atlanta Falcons might wind up having a draft pick in the later rounds if wide receiver Julio Jones continues to put up 300-yard games.

But that doesn’t mean Atlanta’s defense is very good. At all.

The Falcons need help both up front and within the secondary. Their pass rush isn’t particularly good, and this is where Tennessee edge rusher Derek Barnett comes in.

Barnett is a bit undersized — at 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds — for some traditional defensive ends, but this could be masked in head coach Dan Quinn’s 4-3 alignment. Rushing from the edge may also play right into Barnett’s skill set anyway.