When the Detroit Lions were able to land LB Derrick Barnes in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, I have to admit that I was a tad bit excited. Prior to getting drafted, I had watched Barnes play quite a bit with Purdue and believed he was a diamond in the rough.
Barnes has been dealing with some minor injuries so the Lions have been bringing him along slowly in training camp but when he has gotten an opportunity in each of the two preseason games, he has stood out.
Following Saturday’s loss to the Steelers, Lions head coach Dan Campbell spoke to the media and praised Barnes for his play.
“Barnes popped again,” Campbell said after the Lions’ 26-20 loss to the Steelers. “This is two weeks in a row. He got a little bit more of a load this week than last week, because he’s coming back off that hamstring, and he looked good.
“Now, he’s still a pup, he’s got a long way to go. But, I’m telling you, this is why you do these things, and this is why you put them in a position to see how they’re going to handle some of this and get reps and grow. And he’s done it again, he’s shown up.”
Folks, I am telling you again, Barnes is going to be a draft steal!
