The Philadelphia Eagles have some pressing needs on the roster, but one area that’s solid regardless of numbers is the defensive end position.
Brandon Graham is aging but he’s still one of the NFL fiercest pass rushers and he’ll once again pair with Derek Barnett. Injuries have limited the former first-round pick out of Tennessee to 35 games in three seasons, but when he’s in the lineup, he’s supremely effective.
Barnett had 6.5 sacks last season, not eye-opening numbers, but his 22 quarterback knockdowns suggest that he’s continuing to improve as an edge rusher.
The Eagles have until May 30 to pick up Barnett’s 5th-year option at around $9,451,000 or close to $10 million if the figure rises.
It should be a no-brainer, as the Eagles need to continue developing Barnett while holding onto his rights for an extra year. Barnett’s unlikely to regress and he seems to be just hitting his stride as a defensive end.
He plays hard every down, his plays can’t be measured in sacks, nor can his constant motor and dedication to the position.
Still, only 23 years old, Barnett has 14 career sacks despite only playing in 35 games and from an experience standpoint, you can make the case that the defensive end is just figuring out the game and will be the ultimate disruptor with more game experience.
With plenty of room to grow and no true replacement on the roster, the decision is obvious for the Eagles.
