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2017 NFL Mock Draft: Can we trust the Cleveland Browns?

By John Buhler

Sep 19, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) reacts after a play during the second quarter against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) reacts after a play during the second quarter against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) in action during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeat the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) in action during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeat the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
11

Derek Barnett

Defensive End, Tennessee Volunteers

2017 is like the third make-or-break year in a row for the New Orleans Saints. We get it. They have an amazing passing game, masterfully built by head coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees. The Saints can move the ball on anybody, but can they stop anybody on the other side of the ball?

Since winning the Super Bowl during the 2009 NFL season, the Saints have left a lot to be desired on defense, particularly in the secondary. While it has been a graveyard in the Saints defensive backfield for much of the last decade, they are starting to develop quite the pass rusher.

Defensive end Cameron Jordan is one of the most ferocious pass rushers in the NFC. He’s great, but the Saints probably need somebody to play off him going forward. That’s where Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett comes into play at No. 11.

Barnett is one of three pass rushers from the SEC that should go in the top-half of the first round. He is tremendously explosive off the edge. With a great player playing opposite of him in Jordan, Barnett could have an excellent rookie year playing in Dennis Allen’s defense for the Saints.

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