2017 NFL Mock Draft: Clemson stars dominate
By Brad Weiss
Derek Barnett
DE, Tennessee
The Buffalo Bills made wholesale changes to their coaching staff during the 2016 season, letting head coach Rex Ryan, and his twin brother and defensive coordinator Rob go during Week 16. That set the stage for the team to hire Sean McDermott in the offseason, giving the team a bit more of a disciplinarian as a coach. This will be McDermott’s first shot at being the head coach, and many around the NFL feel he is ready to help bring the Bills back to the playoffs for the first time since 1999.
While the Bills could certainly go quarterback here, we expect them to give Tyrod Taylor another season under center. Cardale Jones is not much of a threat yet, but there has been word that he is going to get a shot to win the job during camp. The Bills need to use this top-10 pick to bolster their defensive line, and Derek Barnett can certainly do that from day one.
Barnett is one of the more explosive players in this draft, possessing arguably the best first step in the class. During his time at the University of Tennessee, Barnett broke the school’s career sack record, which was held by the late Hall of Famer, Reggie White. While Barnett may never have the kind of career White did, he does have incredible work ethic, and his ability to come up and crush people would make him an instant fan favorite among the Bills wonderful fans.