Prior to the 2021 NFL draft, analyst and retired defensive lineman Warren Sapp provided some analysis that might have provided important context for Christian Barmore’s fall out of the first round.
He didn’t fall that far, with the New England Patriots trading up to 38th overall in the second round to get the defensive tackle. But many expected him to land in the first round with a clear claim as the top player at his position. Sapp’s comments on Barmore paint a clearer picture with so much skepticism surrounding the Crimson Tide product.
“Let’s wait for the evaluation. Because what I saw when I went over to the Yo Murphy Performance (Compound) was not even third-round material,” Sapp said during an appearance on the Pewter Report podcast.
” … I had a chance to get him on the football field and walk him through the five steps to the quarterback, and if they’re telling me that this is a first-round guy then Aaron Donald really did get blocked 70 percent of the time on the double teams. … I just promise you this, if these eyes right here that you’re looking at is telling a lie about talent, then shoot me. I won’t talk anymore football. If this kid’s a first-round pick then I won’t talk football (on social media) for a full year. … Nothing personal, but I’ll take off a whole year if Barmore is a first-round pick.”
https://youtu.be/U5hnv9AYXgs?t=1519
It’s not the first time we’ve seen evaluators cast doubt on Barmore’s pro prospects. Boston Sports Journal’s Greg Bedard spoke with people who worried Barmore would struggle in an organization that lacked structure.
At least the Patriots can bring just that?
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