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2017 NFL Draft: Top 50 Prospects Halfway through Season

By Tyler Brooke

Oct 22, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) catches a pass as Mississippi Rebels linebacker Detric Bing-Dukes (43) defends during the first quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) catches a pass as Mississippi Rebels linebacker Detric Bing-Dukes (43) defends during the first quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) in action during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeat the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) in action during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeat the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Plenty of scouts and media members might not have Tennessee’s Derek Barnett this high on their respective big boards, but I’m a huge fan of the defensive end for the Volunteers.

The Tennessee coaching staff has constantly praised Barnett for his leadership, especially with how he’s stepped up with other guys like Cameron Sutton going down on the defense.

Barnett looks like a great potential edge rusher or 4-3 defensive end at the next level. Not only does he do a great job of bending the edge to generate pressure on the quarterback, but he can also manhandle offensive linemen to create separation and make big stops in the run game.

With his combination of strength, athleticism and leadership, Barnett is someone who scouts are going to fall in love with in the months leading up to the draft.

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