NFL Draft Experts debate if Tennessee defensive end Derek Barnett OR UCLA outside linebacker Takkarist McKinley would be a better fit for the Giants.
With our "Make the Case" series on Giants.com, we look at projections provided by two draft experts and then ask you, the fans, to weigh in on which player you would like the Giants to select with the 23rd pick in the first round.
In this debate, we look at Tennessee defensive end Derek Barnett vs. UCLA outside linebacker Takkarist McKinley.
Be sure to vote and Make YOUR Case in the comments below!
NFL.com names the top 50 prospects in the 2017 NFL Draft.
- Adam Shaheen - TE, Ashland
- Jordan Willis - DE, Kansas State
- Teez Tabor - CB, Florida
- Marcus Williams - S, Utah
- Zay Jones - WR, East Carolina
- Obi Melifonwu - S, Connecticut
- Marlon Humphrey - CB, Alabama
- Kevin King - CB, Washington
- Tim Williams - LB, Alabama
- Josh Jones - S, N.C. State
- Curtis Samuel - RB, Ohio State
- Chidobe Awuzie - CB, Colorado
- Evan Engram - TE, Ole Miss
- Tyus Bowser - LB, Houston
- T.J. Watt - LB, Wisconsin
- Cam Robinson - OT, Alabama
- DeShone Kizer - QB, Notre Dame
- Adoree' Jackson - CB, USC
- Mitchell Trubisky - QB, North Carolina
- Jabrill Peppers - S, Michigan
- Budda Baker - S, Washington
- Quincy Wilson - CB, Florida
- Deshaun Watson - QB, Clemson
- Ryan Ramczyk - OT, Wisconsin
- Alvin Kamara - RB, Tennessee
- Garett Bolles - OT, Utah
- Taco Charlton - DE, Michigan
- John Ross - WR, Washington
- Takkarist McKinley - DE, UCLA
- Jarrad Davis - LB, Florida
- Charles Harris - DE, Missouri
- Haason Reddick - LB, Temple
- Tre'Davious White - CB, LSU
- Gareon Conley - CB, Ohio State
- Forrest Lamp - G, Western Kentucky
- Dalvin Cook - RB, Florida State
- Christian McCaffrey - RB, Stanford
- Derek Barnett - DE, Tennessee
- David Njoku - TE, Miami
- Mike Williams - WR, Clemson
- Corey Davis - WR, Western Michigan
- Reuben Foster - LB, Alabama
- O.J. Howard - TE, Alabama
- Marshon Lattimore - CB, Ohio State
- Jonathan Allen - DT, Alabama
- Solomon Thomas - DE, Stanford
- Leonard Fournette - RB, LSU
- Malik Hooker - S, Ohio State
- Jamal Adams - S, LSU
- Myles Garrett - DE, Texas A&M
Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
Matt Miller of Bleacher Report projected Barnett, who set Tennessee's all-time career sacks record at 33.0, breaking the previous mark of 32.0 held by the legendary Reggie White. At 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds, Barnett also recorded 52.0 career tackles for loss, second-most in school history.
Miller: "Barnett's production at Tennessee was eye-opening, but his lack of twitch and elite athleticism pushes him down the board as we get closer to the draft. Barnett is still capable of a long, productive NFL career, and starting out down that road opposite Olivier Vernon gives him the one-on-one looks from offensive lines he'll need to produce."
VS.
Photos of UCLA Defensive End/Outside Linebacker Takkarist McKinley
Takkarist McKinley, OLB, UCLA
ESPN's Todd McShay liked McKinley, a 6-foot-2, 265-pound pass rusher who finished his college career tied for 11th on the school's all-time sacks list with 18. He recorded 10 of those in 2016 as he went on to earn first-team All-Pac-12 honors.
McShay: "Tight end would also be a strong possibility if either [Alabama's O.J.] Howard or [Miami's David] Njoku were still on the board. With both gone and Jason Pierre-Paul slated to become a free agent, the Giants could be in the market for another pass-rusher. McKinley has versatility,and I love his motor. He's a natural pass-rusher with elite speed off the edge, recording 18 TFLs and 10 sacks in 2016."
