Christian Barmore is the top interior D-line prospect on a lot of boards coming into the 2021 draft. IDL is not a strong position group at the top of this draft, but Barmore just might be the best of them. He started two years at Alabama and really made his money towards the end of this past season.
Stats
2019: 26 Tackles, 6 TFLs, 2 Sacks
2020: 27 Tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 8 sacks, 3 FF
Strengths
Christian Barmore is a pass rush master, not to mention he’s 6’5 310 lbs. He has great hands at the point of attack on pass plays and knows when to use finesse or power. His go-to pass rush moves are his bull rush or his swim move. Both are extremely effective at creating pressure. He’s also pretty good at fighting off double teams, which as an interior lineman you’ve got to be. Re-watch the Notre Dame and Ohio State games from the playoffs. He is living in the backfield on pass plays. He’s got the potential to be an elite interior pass rusher at the next level. His athleticism allows him to make lateral plays in the zone running game, as well. His ability to bat the ball down at the line gives off JJ Watt-type vibes.
Weaknesses
He’s not great against the run. That is in large part due to his high pad level. He can get away with it on pass rush because the offensive line isn’t attacking, but when they do he gets moved pretty easily. He’s especially raw when it comes to the power run game, but it’s nothing that can’t be developed at the next level. His motor isn’t the best when it comes to plays he’s not in at the initial snap. On film, he can be seen jogging towards a play while the rest of the defense is swarming.
Scheme Fit: 3-4 DE or 4-3 3 Tech
I definitely think Barmore can line up outside and rush, as he did a little bit of it in college. However, he really had the most success lining up inside. Personally, I can see him being a 5-tech in a 3-4 defense or a 3-tech in a 4-3. I think he works better at a three or five because he’ll be able to avoid the consistent double teams that being a 1 tech grants.
Player Comparison: Chris Jones
Jones is 6’6 310 lbs and is great at creating pressure in the passing game. He also happens to be an interior player as well. Although Jones is more refined in the run game, Barmore has a lot of the same traits.
Draft Prediction: Minnesota Vikings (1/14)
There are a couple of teams in front of Minnesota that might take a flyer on Christian Barmore; the Cowboys and Chargers. I can see them both taking him depending on what they deem to be their biggest need. I, however, think the Cowboys will take either Patrick Surtain III or Caleb Farley with the 10th overall pick. The Chargers need offensive line help more than interior D-line, so I think they go Rashawn Slater or Christian Darrisaw. With that, Barmore falls into the lap of a Vikings team that ranked 28th in sacks last season. They are in desperate need of any kind of pass rush and Barmore is a specialist. If the Vikings pass up on him, then the Raiders are the next team likely to scoop him up.
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