Eagles Picking up 5th-Year Option on Derek Barnett Proves They're Trying to Hard to Make This Work

After months of rumors flying around, the Philadelphia Eagles have finally shown conviction in a former first-round pick in one swift move on Tuesday.

The Eagles have officially exercised the fifth-year option on the rookie contract of defensive end Derek Barnett, who was selected No. 14 overall back in 2017.

Philadelphia's faith in Barnett was evidenced by the fact that they declined to select a top pass-rusher early on in the NFL Draft. While the former Tennessee Volunteer's numbers don't leap off the stat sheet, the Eagles clearly believe he can be a key component of their front seven moving forward.

Entering the 2020 season, the rest of Philly's defensive end depth chart features Brandon Graham, Josh Sweat, and Shareef Miller. With an impressive preseason, there's no reason to think that Barnett couldn't break into the first team. Graham, 33, could be entering his final season with the team, so a bigger role looms for better or for worse. Picking up Barnett's fifth-year option suggests that the Eagles see the 23-year-old as the grizzly veteran's most likely successor.

In three seasons --35 games, 20 starts -- Barnett has registered 67 combined tackles, 14 sacks, 49 quarterback hits, and three forced fumbles. He's missed 12 contests due to various injuries across last two campaigns.

Wednesday's news has made the upcoming season that much more important for Barnett, who should now be viewing 2020 as a prove-it year.