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2017 NFL Draft: 5 prospects who stood out in Week 4

By Tyler Brooke

Oct 15, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal defensive tackle Solomon Thomas (90) celebrates after a tackle in the second quarter against the UCLA Bruins in a NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal defensive tackle Solomon Thomas (90) celebrates after a tackle in the second quarter against the UCLA Bruins in a NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) rushes past Northwestern Wildcats offensive lineman Eric Olson (76) during the first half in the 2016 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) rushes past Northwestern Wildcats offensive lineman Eric Olson (76) during the first half in the 2016 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

The more I watch Tennessee Volunteers edge defender Derek Barnett, the more I’m convinced that he’s one of the best defensive players in the upcoming draft. The talented 6’3”, 265-pound defensive end was utterly dominant against Florida and was a big reason their defense was able to shut down the Gators.

Barnett finished the game with two sacks, a QB hit and a pass batted down in Saturday’s win. The Volunteers star already has six tackles for loss this season, and the coaching staff can’t give him enough praise.

“It was just Derek saying, ‘Climb on my back, I got this,’” Vols defensive coordinator Bob Shoop told Bruce Feldman from FOX Sports. “I’m not sure I’ve ever had a player take over a game quite like he did for us.”

Few, if any, draft prospects have helped themselves more this season than Barnett. He’s explosive, aggressive and apparently a tremendous leader for the Volunteers. Those are all qualities that teams are looking for from defensive playmakers, and that could help Barnett make his way into the top 10 by the time the draft rolls around.

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