Over the years Bill Belichick has often observed that second-round draft picks are essentially first-round talents with certain questions/issues/doubts that simply push them down the board.
That’s seemingly the perfect description of New England’s 2021 second-round pick -- No. 38 overall after trading up with the Bengals -- Alabama defensive tackle Christian Barmore.
There is no questioning Barmore’s skill set. He’s a 6-4, 310-pound beast who ran a 4.94 40 at the Tide pro day with both Belichick and New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels in attendance.
Barmore earned Second Team All-American honors last fall as well as All-SEC recognition with eight sacks and nine tackles for a loss. He was the Defensive MVP of the National Championship Game. He not only led Alabama in sacks, but also forced fumbles (3) and added three passes defensed.
At his best, there is no doubt that Barmore has first-round ability, which is where he was mocked by some in the pre-draft process as arguably the best player in a limited group of defensive tackles.
But Barmore is also a guy who only started six total games in his time at Alabama, five of those coming this past fall.
There were times in Tuscaloosa were he seemed like he was never going to be able to break into the starting role or put together all his talents.
He joins a retooled Patriots defensive line that brings back Lawrence Guy and Deatrich Wise, while adding Davon Godchaux and Henry Anderson.
Given his background in Saban’s 3-4 scheme – one that has shared roots in Belichick’s own given the pair’s working history together dating back to the early 1990s in Cleveland – there is reason to believe he could make a swift transition to life in Foxborough. He could be a versatile piece to move all over the front in base situations and replace free agent departure Adam Butler as an interior sub rusher.
Barmore’s upside is almost unlimited, with Pro Bowl type talent and potential.
But he has to play consistency, work in practice consistently and earn any opportunities he’s going to get in his new home.
Certainly he’s taken hard coaching under Saban. At times that left him as a role player and not the impact playmaker he could and should be.
Down the stretch last season, before leaving Alabama after his red-shirt sophomore season, Barmore put things together and played up to his immense physical talents.
Given Belichick’s close relationship with Saban and his annual visits to Tuscaloosa, he should have as good a scouting report and feel for Barmore’s abilities, personality, dedication and work ethic as any NFL talent evaluator.
With that direct pipeline of knowledge from Saban, Belichick decided that Barmore’s talents were more than worth the second-round risk on the second night of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Only time will tell how well Barmore fits as a professional in New England, what kind of role he can carve out for himself and whether his future is dictated by his first-round talent or the questions that pushed him down to a value-based second-round pick to Belichick’s Patriots.
