Derrick Barnes trade gets Detroit Lions, Brad Holmes a B for being aggressive in NFL draft
Free Press sports writer Carlos Monarrez grades the Detroit Lions' pick of Purdue linebacker Derrick Barnes at No. 113 overall in the fourth round in the 2021 NFL draft Saturday.
Grade: B
The reason: Brad Holmes finally did it. The first-year general manager was aggressive and pulled off a trade to move up and take a position of great need. Linebackers were the worst position group for the team last year, so Barnes should help. He’s undersized at 6 feet and 238 pounds, so that's a concern. But he could play inside or outside. After having 7.5 sacks in 2019, he didn’t record a sack in six games last year but tied for sixth in the FBS with 6.7 solo tackles per game.
REACTION: Analysts rave over Lions' Day 3 picks; 'you're going to love' Derrick Barnes
More grades
Oregon OT Penei Sewell: Where is the playmaker this team needs?
Washington DT Levi Onwuzurike: Is this a poor man's Aaron Donald
N.C. State DT Alim McNeill: Another defensive lineman, really?
Syracuse CB Ifeatu Melifonwu: A bid dude for a big a need
USC WR Amon-Ra St. Brown: Finally an A for drafting badly needed position
Contact Carlos Monarrez at cmonarrez@freepress.com and follow him on Twitter @cmonarrez.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions earn B in trade for Purdue's Derrick Barnes in NFL draft
