Philadelphia Eagles: 5 players with the most to lose in 2022

There is no player on the Philadelphia Eagles with more to gain or lose in 2023 than Derek Barnett.

The Eagles’ first round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Tennessee, Barnett has the dubious distinction of having recorded more penalties than sacks over his final year run with the Birds, which, understandably, hasn’t made him particularly popular in the City of Brotherly Love.

While Barnett did earn a new contract worth $15.21 million over three years, it’s really a one-year, $5.5 million deal when you get down to the nitty-gritty of it, which is a notable docking in pay from his $10.051 million high watermark in 2021. Assuming Barnett turns in another down year – or, based on his track record, a statistically normative season – it’s hard to imagine any team offering him a $15 million contract again, whether that’s over one year or three.

Fortunately, if Barnett does put it all together, everything is lined up for him to remain a part of the Eagles’ future indefinitely.

With Brandon Graham’s career winding down and no premier talent procured at his position in the 2022 NFL Draft, Barnett could theoretically remain as the Eagles’ starting defensive end indefinitely, even if that role sees Haason Reddick slide down to the line for obvious passing downs. $5 million per season is a small price to pay for a two-down defensive end, and if the duo of Barnett and Reddick can produce together, Howie Roseman will surely honor every year of his contract.