Derek Barnett Needs to Have a Huge Year for Eagles After Howie Roseman's Comments

After suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in 2018, Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Derek Barnett is hoping to have a bounce-back year this time around. He's shown flashes of what he can do off the edge, but he's yet to put an authentic standout season together during his first two years in the NFL.

Barnett's 14th overall selection in the 2017 draft feels a bit high considering the production he's put forth so far, but GM Howie Roseman still has high expectations for the young pass rusher and expects him to have a huge season in year three.

When Roseman was asked about Barnett and using a first-round selection on him, he stated, "I'd say every time he's on the field, he's rewarding our investment in him... We've seen what he's done in big games. We saw what he was doing last year before he got hurt. We expect him to come in and be a huge part of our team."

That's some big praise from Howie, who's considered in NFL circles as one of the best front office executives in the business.

During Barnett's first two years, he's accumulated 7.5 sacks and 27 total QB hits. Before being sidelined with his shoulder problem in 2018, it seemed like Barnett was on his way to having a solid sophomore campaign, posting 2.5 sacks with 11 QB hits in just six games.

With both Michael Bennett and Chris Long no longer on the team, Barnett will likely snag the starting end spot opposite Brandon Graham.

He'll have his opportunity to shine this season, and with a full offseason to recover from his injury, there shouldn't be anything stopping Barnett from having the year Roseman's backing him to have.