2021 NFL Mock Draft: Washington Football Team goes offense in Round 1

Washington Football Team fans know well how Alabama manufactures defensive linemen. Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne are manning key positions in the middle of their defense, and the next great down-lineman to come out of the school may be Christian Barmore.

Barmore had a coming out party for the Crimson Tide during his redshirt sophomore season. He started the year slowly while dealing with some nagging injuries, but by the end of the year, he was dominating as a pass rusher.

Barmore totaled eight sacks for Alabama on the year. He also forced three fumbles and showed a good awareness of when to stop his pass rush and get his hands up to bat down passes. That’s how he earned three pass defenses.

What stands out when watching Barmore play is just how quickly he is able to get into the backfield to disrupt plays as a pass rusher. He’s very athletic considering his 6-foot-4, 310-pound frame and steps through the line of scrimmage with ease. He can chase down quarterbacks, even mobile ones, and that will certainly make him a threat at the next level.

Barmore may not be the best run defender right now, as his game is dictated more by athleticism than physicality, but he has the skills needed to be a great all-around player at the next level. The Raiders could use some pass rush help on the interior, and Barmore can provide them with that.

If Jon Gruden can get Barmore to be more aggressive in run defense, then this pick could easily work out. Either way, Barmore has more upside than any defensive tackle currently on the Raiders roster, so he’s a sensible pick here — unless they want to go for an edge rusher or defensive back at this juncture.