2017 NFL Mock Draft: NFL Conference Championship Edition

With the retirement of Robert Mathis, the Indianapolis Colts are in a desperate situation with their defense. There are essentially no edge rushers on the roster for 2017 as of right now, and the Colts need to find some new ones as soon as possible if they’re going to hope to put any pressure on opposing quarterbacks next season.

Tennessee’s Derek Barnett might be one of the more underrated edge rushers in this draft class. Barnett was one of the most dominant defenders in the SEC during his time with the Volunteers. This season, Barnett was able to rack up 13 sacks, 19 tackles for loss and 16 quarterback hurries, showcasing his ability to get into the backfield.

Barnett was a proven leader for the Volunteers defense, drawing praise from head coach Butch Jones for his ability to take over games. He’s strong and aggressive with a thick frame (6-foot-3, 265 pounds) and the technique to either rush the passer or stop the run.

Although Barnett isn’t explosive off of the line of scrimmage, his strength and technique allow him to make plays all over the field. The Colts don’t have anyone like that currently on the roster, making Barnett a great pick for this team as it tries to rebuild into a legitimate contender.