Carl Lawson and Derek Barnett are very similar in terms of the type of player they are, and they both have that thick, stumpy frame which is a little different.
Lawson is a total freak of a talent, and dominates games on the regular when he's on the field. The problem is he's hardly ever on it. I'm typically not one to be too harsh on a player for durability, as injuries are so unpredictable. However, Lawson has only played in what amounts to a season and a half over the past 3 years since he's been at Auburn. He's only suited up in 2 more games (21) than he's missed (19) during his career. That's very significant.
Barnett has been much more dependable. And he faces more double teams as teams scheme for him, especially after Curt Maggitt got injured....their only other pass rush threat. The issue with Barnett is he's always so inconsistent from game to game. He's been very productive, and it takes a special talent to come into the SEC and play as a true freshman the way he did in 2014, and continue that production last year as a sophomore. He's an extremely active DE with a tremendous motor and all out effort. He just needs to do it against better competition more consistently. He's done well against some pretty good tackles in Brandon Scherff, D.J. Humphries, Laremy Tunsil, Cam Robinson, Tyrus Thompson, and Corey Robinson over his first 2 seasons.
CK is right in terms of Lawson being the better natural talent over Barnett. It's the injuries that Lawson keeps suffering to his lower half that are concerning. Not the fact that he's missed games. I think you can justify either being over the other. I'm about as familiar with 'em as you can get. They're very similar types.
Both are quite a ways from being the prospect Myles Garrett is. Garrett is in Jadeveon Clowney territory as a defensive end. They're almost a carbon copy of one another from A to Z.
Sam Hubbard is the only one who can approach him as a prospect. Birdmond is correct there also. But he has to go out and do it first.
