Christian Barmore ranked second in potential second year breakout stars by ESPN

[Rob0729]

They have Lawrence ranked first, Barmore is second and compared to Aaron Donald in the piece.

2. Christian Barmore, DT, New England Patriots​

Pick in 2021 draft: No. 38

Defensive tackle is right near the bottom of the list among positions where you can expect a rookie to hit the ground running. The physical learning curve going from manhandling teenagers to doing the same against grown men is massive. Even the greatest defensive tackle in modern football history, Aaron Donald, managed a meager 44 pressures as a rookie. He has averaged double that in his seven seasons since.

So, when a second-rounder like Barmore racks up 48 pressures for the Patriots as a rookie, the football world should take note. Even scarier, we already saw him look like a different player in the second half of last season. He went from a 63.5 pass-rushing grade in the first eight weeks of the season to an 82.6 pass-rushing grade across the final nine. The latter figure was good enough for fifth best among defensive tackles over that span.

If Barmore improves, he will be a problem that offenses have to game-plan around very shortly.

Ranking the NFL's second-year breakout candidates: 15 players who could turn into stars

Some 2021 draftees are heading into camp looking to build off average rookie seasons. Pro Football Focus tells us who could improve most.

www.espn.com

 

[Ross12]

Dude looked like an absolute unit in that recent workout video I saw floating around last week. I'm trying to contain my hype but he seriously has the physical tools to be incredibly good, and pressure up the middle is not something many teams are super well equipped for.

 

[DarrylS]

Sports Illustrated's loss as it cost $$$ to view their article. Enough free stuff out there, no need to spend more than I already do.

 

[Rob0729]

Sports Illustrated's loss as it cost $$$ to view their article. Enough free stuff out there, no need to spend more than I already do.

I get access for free with my Disney+ subscription.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Dude looked like an absolute unit in that recent workout video I saw floating around last week. I'm trying to contain my hype but he seriously has the physical tools to be incredibly good, and pressure up the middle is not something many teams are super well equipped for.

Yep. He seemed bigger.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Barmore is my #1 guy to watch on defense.

There's nothing better than having an inside pass rusher which will make the outside rushers life much easier and visa versa.

 

[signbabybrady]

Dude looked like an absolute unit in that recent workout video I saw floating around last week. I'm trying to contain my hype but he seriously has the physical tools to be incredibly good, and pressure up the middle is not something many teams are super well equipped for.

No reason to keep it in best to let it release.