Lions LB Derrick Barnes 'Studying' Game Even More

Derrick Barnes says Detroit is playing with heightened energy in 2023 OTAs.

Detroit Lions third-year linebacker Derrick Barnes has sure experienced his fair share of losing since being drafted by Detroit in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

In his rookie campaign alone, he was part of a Lions team that lost 13 games – and tied another – and finished dead last in the NFC North division.

Then, in his second season as a pro, Detroit lost six of its first seven games, before rattling off eight wins in its final 10 contests.

The team’s strong finish to the 2022 campaign has led to a new sense of optimism from the Lions faithful that wasn’t existent in Barnes’ first two seasons in the Motor City.

And, it’s also inspired Barnes and his teammates to open up organized team activities with a heightened degree of energy.

“It’s just a whole different vibe from the previous years I’ve been here,” Barnes told reporters during Thursday’s OTAs media session. “Just players wanting to make plays. Everybody’s flying around, having fun. You can see just the way we work out here. You know, everybody has a motive, and that’s the motive to win. And, it’s been the biggest thing for us, wanting to win. Wanting to start off good, and you see it every day in practice. Guys are competing and getting better.”

Barnes, a product of Purdue University, played all over during his four years with the Boilermakers. He went from lining up at middle linebacker to EDGE rusher and then back to patrolling the middle of the field.

All the moving around didn’t exactly prepare Barnes for playing at the NFL level, and he went on to endure some rookie growing pains. During the 2021 season, he recorded 67 total tackles, including four for loss, to go along with two sacks and two passes defensed in 17 games (six starts).

It was admittedly a tough transition to the professional ranks for the ex-Boilermakers defender.

“You know, I came from college, and I wasn’t at the mental aspect that I wanted to be at,” Barnes expressed. “And, that’s just where I come from, no excuses or anything. I studied my behind off, and I knew it would take me time to get where I wanted to be. And, I’m just, I told myself to keep aggressive, you know, head down, keep working no matter what obstacles have been thrown at you. Just come out here and work, and prove not only to other people, but (to) yourself what you can do. Because I know what my ability is and I know what I can do.”

Then, as last season progressed, Barnes started to show some real signs of coming into his own as an inside linebacker. His “coming-out party” came in Week 9 against the Green Bay Packers, when he totaled a single-game-best 12 tackles, to go along with his lone sack on the season. In doing so, he played a vital role in the Lions’ 15-9 win against the then-Aaron Rodgers-led Packers.

During the aforementioned 2022 campaign, Barnes suited up for 15 games (four starts), and produced 47 total tackles, as well as three for loss, along with a sack and one pass defensed. Also, he recorded a Pro Football Focus run-defense grade of 76.8, a PFF pass-rush grade of 60.2 and a PFF pass-coverage grade of 46.8.

Heading into his third NFL season, Barnes has gotten stronger mentally, and has taken his preparation to the next level.

“So, the main thing for me is (to) just don’t let the mental aspect hold you back from where you want to be,” Barnes commented. “And, that’s what I’ve been doing, studying even more than I ever have. You know, asking questions, and all the things I’ve done in previous years. But, just taking it to the next level, and just coming out here and showing everyone what I can do and what I’m able to do and what I’m about as a player.”