NFL Draft: Top 10 outer linebackers the Ravens should target
By Ben Palmer
1. Derek Barnett – Tennessee
If you wanted to argue that Derek Barnett is the most talented outside linebacker in the NFL Draft this year whose name isn’t Myles Garrett, I’d have a hard time arguing with you.
Barnett finished his 2016 season with 56 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, two forced fumbles, five passes broken up and one interception. Barnett constantly puts pressure on the quarterback, and can get past even the most talented of tackles (he beat Cam Robinsons for a strip sack this year).
At 6’3″, 268 pounds, Barnett is very similar to Shaq Lawson, who was a top-20 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He’s an excellent pass rusher and a solid run defender, and with some work, he could be one of the best all-around linebackers in football.
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If he falls to the Ravens, and he very well could, he should be their top priority in the draft, as the team is in desperate need of an outer linebacker, and he’s the best they could feasibly get.