Niner Noise
FanSided

2017 NFL Draft: Final Round 1 Mock for All 32 Picks

By Peter Panacy

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the start of the 2014 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; A general view of the stage and podium before the start of the 2014 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
10 of 33
Next
Dec 30, 2016; Nashville , TN, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Ryker Fyfe (17) throws the ball as Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) defends during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Nashville , TN, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Ryker Fyfe (17) throws the ball as Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) defends during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

. EDGE. Tennessee. Derek Barnett. 9. player. 56

Myles Garrett might be the most hyped edge rusher in the NFL Draft, but Tennessee’s Derek Barnett might actually wind up being the better of the two in the long run.

The Cincinnati Bengals defense boasts good pass-rushers in Geno Atkins (nine sacks) and Carlos Dunlap (eight sacks), but adding a youthful talent like Barnett would be the final piece to make this group devastating on game day.

What makes Barnett a nice fit here at No. 9 is also his ability to defend well against the run, which is a far-less heralded trait for a pass-rusher.

Barnett’s ceiling is high, and he could be a piece the Bengals could build around for a number of seasons.