Over the next four weeks WEEI.com will offer up a total of 28 prospects who could be potential Patriots selections in the 2021 NFL Draft. While the top five projected overall prospects – QB Trevor Lawrence, QB Zach Wilson, WR Ja’Marr Chase, TE Kyle Pitts and OT Penei Sewell – won’t be included, all other players at all positions will be considered potential targets for Bill Belichick and his staff. As we continue to bounce around on both sides of the ball, today we hit on yet another Alabama prospect with intriguing talents on the defensive front.
Christian Barmore
DT Alabama
6-4, 310
Resume: Barmore was a star on both the football field and basketball court growing up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. When his charter high school closed before his senior season, he transferred to Saints John Neumann and Maria Goretti Catholic High School, helping that team to an 11-1 record with contributions on both lines while earning All-State honors. … He was part of a Pennsylvania high school class of recruits that included fellow first-round draft prospects in LB Micah Parsons and TE Kyle Pitts. Though his recruitment didn’t pick up steam until late in the process, Barmore picked Alabama over virtually all the top programs in the country. … After red shirting, Barmore earned freshman All-SEC honors in 2019, despite starting only one of 12 games played. … Though he still only started five of the 12 games played in 2020, his production blew up with Tide team highs in sacks (8) and forced fumbles (3) on his way to First Team All-SEC and Second Team All-American honors. … Earned National Championship Defensive MVP in Alabama’s win over Ohio State. … Barmore then decided to forego his remaining eligibility to enter the 2021 NFL Draft.
Pre-Draft Buzz: Plays with an explosive style for a man his size, probably in part due to his roots on the basketball court. … Impressed with a 4.97 40 time at Alabama’s pro day, which was attended by the Patriots. … Former Patriots scout and current Senior Bowl directory Jim Nagy tweeted that Barmore is a “player the league is higher on than the media. Some teams we’ve spoken to feel Barmore has top 15 talent.” … That said, Barmore was barely a one-year starter at Alabama, has limited experience, is raw and there have been reports questioning his motivation and commitment to football in the past. … The Ringer compares Barmore to former Alabama DT Quinnen Williams, taken No. 3 overall in 2019. … NFL.com compares Barmore to former Tide stud Marcell Dareus, also drafted No. 3 overall, by the Bills in the 2011 draft. … Pretty much universally considered the top prospect in a very limited crop of defensive tackle talent in this year’s draft class.
Why Barmore fits the Patriots’ needs: New England’s defensive line was an undermanned, overwhelmed position at times a year ago. The arrival of Davon Godchaux and Henry Anderson combined with the return of Lawrence Guy should bring more stability, but there still is not a young, stud to build around. Over the years Belichick has invested heavily in the defensive line in the draft, dating all the way back to No. 6 overall pick Richard Seymour. Barmore has the ability to play a 3-4 front given his experiences for Nick Saban at Alabama and the versatility to move around a front that Belichick covets. On pure ability alone, Barmore has the tools to be a force in the middle of any NFL defense. Could that be landing with the Patriots in the middle of the first round? It certainly has to be seen as a possibility.