Sharpen Dull Edges: The Jarvis Jones Edition. Take Two.

The Pittsburgh defensive rebuilding project seems to be nearing it's end. From 2013 to 2016.. 8 of the past 12 draft choices in the first three rounds have been picked on the defensive side of the ball. However, one thing that has defined Pittsburgh throughout the years in the edge rushers. Bud Dupree does have all the tools to become the next in line to succeed given his fast start to his rookie year. However.. the same cannot be said for his counterpart Jarvis Jones. While he has given some quality work for the Steelers.. five sacks since 2013 is not an aspiring sign. Considering that Jarvis is a marginal athlete (4.88 40 time, 1.66 10 sec. split, 4.71 short shuttle, 7.48 3 cone, 30 1/2 vertical and 111 inch.) his upside as a pass rusher is quite limited given his lack of explosive power and his twitch. Our next pass rusher may not be as twitchy.. but his explosive abilities far exceed Jones.



Please enter.








Derek Barnett




Height: 6'3



Weight: 268lbs.



Age: 20





Between him and Lawson.. Barnett is the superior athlete with considerable upside to match. Never mind his nearly 270lbs. chiseled frame body with his exceptionally built lower half (more on this later), but his build overall is essentially NFL ready has he carries little to no bad weight. With his size and strength. .. edge setting abilities are not an issue; his length an added bonus. Another incredible asset of Barnett's is his strike power upon engaging lineman. He hits quite well within the numbers and quite hard as well.



However.. none of that compares to his ultiamte weapon: his explosive power. Due to his powerful lower half of his body.. he is able to generate an enormous amount of energy to boost his first step. In addition to his acceleration.. his leverage against lineman further augment his lower body strength; pushing back many lineman with ease. Perhaps the most intriguing of of it all is his lateral agility. For a big guy.. moving sideline to sideline is not an issue for him.. as he is smooth in his lateral movements.





While Barnett is quite a beast in terms of both aspects.. not everything is as it seems. Part of the reason why Derek' stats are on par with the likes of Myles Garrett is not due to his physical gifts.. but rather Butch Jones placing him in mismatches to exploit weaknesses against his competition. Obviously... this is already a red flag to many Steelers fans as Jarvis Jones himself was put in similar situations. In comparison to Carl.. Barnett has the tools.. but Carl knows how to use it. On that note.. of the two.. Barnett is still using more athleticism than technique.. save for the occasional swim move. What is more bizarre is that he has the ability to bend more than others are giving credit for. That, coupled with his heavy hands.. suggest moves like a dip-rip would be in his arsenal.. but it is not.



Another issue is that his motor seems to run hot or cold.. making his overall level of play unpredictable. If he is hot.. he looks like a top 10 selection. If he runs cold.. he looks like a player that can be taken anywhere after the first 15. Granted.. this is an issue for many collegiate level pass rushers.. but his level of athletic abilities is noy good in the fact that he takes plays off; a term that many scouts do not like.



Even with some of these issues.. few players are athelitcally equipped to the extent like Barnett that is not named Myles Garrett. Yes.. players like Charles Harris have the speed and Carl may have the technique... but power wise... outside of players like Garrett and Lewis Neal.. few can stand on equal ground. Add his speed, lateral agility, good flexibility, and his destructive explosive power.. and you come up with a player who has some serious upside. In some ways.. he reminds me of a Bud Dupree due to his exceptional explosive power and speed. If he can add some more tools to his pass rushing box and shows some more motor... he can easily be a top 10 selection. Otherwise.. I do not believe he gets past 20.




Whew... two down... two to go. Either way.. thank you for reading and I hoped you enjoyed. One more player remains... and this player has an ability that Pittsburgh could use in more ways than one.











Deatrich Wise Jr.