IDL, Alabama
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 310 lbs
Class: rs-Sophomore
We haven’t seen an awful lot of Barmore to date, but what he have seen has looked fantastic. Prior to their game against Mississippi State in Week 12 last year, Alabama had used him primarily as a third down pass-rushing specialist. Since then he has taken on a more prominent role in their defense and looks like he has a great 2020 campaign ahead of him.
You can read more of my 2021 NFL Draft content here.
Strengths
As soon as you switch on Barmore’s tape you can see his incredible strength and power rushing from the interior. He is a real handful for offensive linemen and he packs a tonne of power into his hands. What is particularly impressive is his ability to create consistent leverage despite his big frame, staying low and overpowering his opponents.
Although his sample size was limited in 2019, his production was phenomenal. He won on 20.8 per cent of his pass-rushing snaps, the most of any interior defender. For context, 2020 first round pick Javon Kinlaw won on 18.8 per cent. Whilst Barmore is unlikely to sustain this figure over a full season it gives a great indication of the talent and potential that he possesses.
He racked up 26 total pressures last season, the same number as fellow 2021 prospect Marvin Wilson, although Barmore did so on 123 fewer rushes. He is really athletic for the position and this shows on tape with an ability to close on plays and make tackles once he has got off his block. The exciting thing is that Barmore is still raw and is only just beginning to scratch the surface of his potential. If he can be this productive already just imagine the potential upside to his game.
Weaknesses
The obvious concern that Barmore needs to address in 2020 is his sample size. He played almost exclusively as a pure pass-rushing specialist on third downs prior to the final four games of 2019 and so we really haven’t seen enough of him as a starter to fully understand the nuances of his game. Three games in he looks to be getting that experience but a full season of tape will help to get a better understanding of his talent.
In addition to this he is still pretty raw from a technical perspective. Thanks to his athleticism and power he tends to win by physically dominating opponents, rather than through technique. This isn’t going to work in the NFL and he needs to develop a better set of pass-rushing moves. His swim move has been effective but adding some diversity and demonstrating the ability to counter will do wonders for his draft stock.
He also has a tendency to get a little over-aggressive on occasion and can sometimes deviate from his assignment in order to make a big play. Adding a little more discipline to his game would help in the long run.
Bottom Line
Barmore is undoubtedly raw but has tremendous upside. His ability to win consistently as an interior pass-rusher is going to be prized in the NFL and if he can refine the technical side of his game and develop a more complete repertoire of pass-rushing moves he will be clear No. 1 interior lineman in the 2021 class.
Big Board Rank: #14
Positional Rank: #1
