Derrick Barnes: What scouting reports said before the draft about the Lions LB
With the No. 113 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, the Detroit Lions selected Purdue linebacker Derrick Barnes. The Lions traded up to snag Barnes, giving up a fifth-round pick and a 2022 fourth-rounder in exchange for the right to select the versatile Boilermaker backer.
What are the Lions getting in Barnes?
Here is a sampling of what some of the more prominent draft analysts and guides said about Barnes before the draft.
NFL.com
The NFL' s own website relies on a team of evaluators to grade players, with veteran analyst Lance Zierlein as the primary scout. Here's what Zierlein wrote about Barnes,
Throwback body type with broad shoulders as well as thickly muscled arms and legs at inside linebacker. Barnes has seen plenty of action as a three-year starter and has the added experience of learning two different positions. He can improve his technique as a take-on linebacker, but he has the strength to handle the physical aspects of the inside linebacker role. There is a toughness in his mindset that works well for him in hand-to-hand combat, but he needs to play faster to flow cleanly to the ball. If he makes it, his role will likely be as an early-down backup with core special teams duties.
Among the critiques of Barnes are "plodding feet when changing direction" and a "struggle coming to balance" as an open-field tackler. They offset assets that include "tackles with good finishing strength" and "power in his shoulders to stack" offensive linemen in the run game. The grade of 5.82 fits with the analysis of a backup/core special teams player in their evaluation.
The Athletic/Dane Brugler
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Brugler and The Athletic ranked Barnes as the No. 10 off-ball LB prospect in the draft and gave him a fourth-round grade, commensurate with where the Lions traded up to land him. Here's some of the detailed analysis from Brugler's "Beast", a fantastic pre-draft resource, A three-year starter at Purdue, Barnes was an inside linebacker in former defensive coordinator Bob Diaco’s hybrid 3-4 scheme. After playing primarily an outside linebacker or edge “Leo” rusher as an underclassman, he moved to an off-ball role as a senior and averaged 9.0 tackles per game. While short, Barnes is stout, long and fast with the vision, reaction skills and motor that leads to production. He needs to be better playing overtop climbing blockers and will require time improving his comfort in coverage. Overall, Barnes needs to be more efficient in his stack-and-shed, but he has the body type, range and competitive profile to be a special teams standout while pushing for defensive reps as an inside linebacker or designated pass rusher. Brugler notes Barnes' long arms for his position, agile footwork and ability to "really run" in space.
The Draft Network
Barnes
(AP Photo)
Barnes was the No. 136 overall player on The Draft Network's 2021 big board. That makes him a value for the Lions with the No. 113 overall pick. Part of why he's a good value comes in the write-up from TDN scouting director Kyle Crabbs,
I like his forecast best as a rush linebacker to play in odd front looks and potentially drop his hand in the dirt on obvious passing situations. Barnes had a successful 2019 campaign as a rusher and showed some ability there that will likely give him the best chance to find a roster to stick on in the NFL. If Barnes can tap into the special teams role he played early in his career with the Boilermakers, it would certainly help the cause in his bid to make an active roster. Because of some physical limitations, Barnes doesn’t feel like a particularly high-ceiling player regardless of what position you project him to, but he’s a hard-nosed, physical defender with plenty of power rolled into his frame to combat opposing blockers.
The Lions are moving Barnes to play as more of a MIKE backer in new coordinator Aaron Glenn's version of a 3-4, so the prime role Crabbs cites isn't where he will begin in Detroit.
Ourlads
(Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Led by longtime NFL team scout Dan Shonka, Ourlads and its draft guide is chock full of "scout speak". Here's some of what they said about Barnes, Positives Quick and powerful with his hands engaging blockers he can stun and separate working to the ball. Fits gaps well play-side and shows good lateral movement working outside. Has alley to alley range and takes proper angles to square up ball carriers. Powerful tackling he gathers and drives through to finish. Hustles in pursuit and is consistently around the ball. Negatives Off the ball initial reactions inside can be hesitant. Occasional misreads can get him out of position. Some hip tightness limits change of direction and he can struggle with cutbacks. If isolated in coverage he has problems reacting to route breaks. Has a unique skill set that will need development at the NFL level. He lacks the length of the traditional edge rusher/Sam and may not be instinctive enough as a three-down linebacker. Overall, Barnes earned a grade of 5.99, which is the top of Ourlads' fifth-round scoring.
Pro Football Focus
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Pro Football Focus was not a Barnes fan. That much is clear from PFF's pre-draft guide. Barnes doesn't make an appearance in it. He's not listed in their top 200 players. He's not given an individual profile at either LB or EDGE, where he primarily made his name at Purdue. The only place he is listed at all is in their individual grades for Senior Bowl week, where Barnes was their top-graded linebacker.
Pro Football Network
Longtime NFL draft analyst Tony Pauline is the primary scouting voice for Pro Football Network. Pauline was clearly a fan of the versatile Boilermaker. Here's what he noted,
Underrated linebacker who plays with a vicious attitude. Displays a good head for the ball, is effective in pursuit, and chases hard to make plays on the ball handler. Moves well laterally, gets out to the flanks, and is rarely off his feet.
After citing stiffness in his hips and a maxed-out frame, PFN then summarized the report on Barnes thusly, "Barnes is one of the most underrated linebackers in the draft and is a forceful run defender who can also be used in zone coverage. He’ll be a Day 3 steal and offers scheme versatility as well as starting potential at the next level."
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