3 New England Patriots who have to take the next step this season
By Kinnu Singh
2. Christian Barmore, DL
Tyquan Thornton isn’t the only recent second-round pick who is expected to take the next step in 2023. Defensive tackle Christian Barmore was drafted with the No. 38 overall pick in 2021, and while he hasn’t fulfilled high draft hopes yet, there are good reasons for that.
Barmore participated in all 17 games of his rookie season, starting in two of them. Throughout the year, he recorded 46 total tackles, three tackles for loss, nine quarterback hits, 1.5 sacks and two passes defended. In 2022, Barmore followed up his rookie campaign with three starts through 10 games, recording 23 total tackles, two tackles for loss, seven quarterback hits, 2.5 sacks and one pass defended. It was a more explosive season for Barmore when he did play, but unfortunately, Barmore missed seven games throughout the season due to knee inflammation.
According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Barmore’s injury was a “major factor in him not making the projected jump from promising rookie to budding superstar.” Yet Barmore was grinding at offseason workouts in Gilette Stadium back in early February, a testament to the season he’s determined to have in Year 3.
Reiss shared astute observations made by Richard Seymour, a Patriots legend adept at evaluating player strengths. “He has all the tools: big, strong, explosive,” Seymour said. “He [also] has good versatility for any scheme. Quick off the snap and difficult to cut off in the run game. Plays with a lot of effort and toughness. If he continues down this path, he could be a premier defensive lineman for years to come.”
Barring injury or any other unforeseen circumstances, Barmore is well on his way to joining Matt Judon and Marcus Jones as a potential Pro Bowl or All-Pro star.