{"id":91157,"date":"2021-11-04T01:25:16","date_gmt":"2021-11-04T01:25:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=91157"},"modified":"2021-11-04T01:27:06","modified_gmt":"2021-11-04T01:27:06","slug":"lazar-belichick-stole-a-game-wrecker-on-the-defensive-line-in-rookie-christian-barmore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/lazar-belichick-stole-a-game-wrecker-on-the-defensive-line-in-rookie-christian-barmore\/","title":{"rendered":"Lazar: Belichick Stole a Game-Wrecker on the D-Line in Rookie Christian Barmore"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Patriots found their quarterback by dipping into the Alabama pipeline, but Mac Jones isn\u2019t the only former Crimson Tide standout having a successful rookie season in Foxboro.<\/p>\n

On day two of the 2021 NFL Draft, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick traded three draft picks to move up from the 46th overall selection to the 38th pick in the second round (trade: 46th overall, 122nd overall, and 139th overall to the Bengals for the 38th overall pick).<\/p>\n

Belichick felt comfortable giving up a significant haul to climb the board for Alabama defensive lineman Christian Barmore, who many pundits felt would be a first-round pick in April\u2019s draft.<\/p>\n

At the time, the Patriots\u2019 decision-makers were elated that Barmore fell to them in the second round, and they\u2019re similarly thrilled with his progress.<\/p>\n

In Sunday\u2019s victory over the Chargers, Barmore led all Patriots defensive linemen in snaps (38), and, for a Pats rookie, Barmore is impressively playing 54.8% of the defensive snaps this season.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s improved in every area. He works really hard, and he\u2019s got a really good skill set,\u201d Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said of Barmore. \u201cHe\u2019s big. He\u2019s long. He\u2019s got good playing strength and good quickness. Runs well. He gives good effort. He\u2019s made some good chase plays from behind. He\u2019s earned his way up there, and he\u2019s done a good job in all situations.\u201d<\/p>\n

New England targeted Barmore in the draft to bolster their pass rush immediately while possessing the playing strength to develop as a run defender.<\/p>\n

Over his last two seasons at Alabama, Barmore\u2019s 65 quarterback pressures led the FBS, and his pass-rush talent was instantly apparent in training camp where he dominated one-on-one drills.<\/p>\n

In his first eight regular-season games, Barmore\u2019s 12.6 pass-rush win rate leads all rookie interior defensive linemen, and his 22 quarterback pressures are fifth among all rookies.<\/p>\n

Based on his role in the defense, it\u2019s easy to see how highly Belichick and his staff think of the first-year defensive tackle because they\u2019re scheming-up one-on-ones for Barmore already.<\/p>\n