Derek Barnett

Derek Barnett is a defensive end for the Houston Texans. The Philadelphia Eagles selected him in the 2017 NFL Draft. He played with the Eagles for six seasons.

Derek was born Derek Anthony Barnett in Nashville, Tennessee to Christine Barnett. The identity of his father is not revealed; he and his siblings were raised by his single mother.

Raising three children as a single mother wasn’t easy for Christine. She needed to do three jobs to make ends meet. She usually worked as a waitress and cleaned houses. Christine would sometimes grab a third job so that her youngest son could pay fees for the summer football camp.

The former Eagles DE attended Brentwood Academy in Brentwood. He recorded 60 tackles and 5.5 sacks as a high school senior. He played college football at Tennessee from 2014 to 2016.

Derek’s oldest brother, David Barnett died in a tragic car accident in December 2018. According to the reports, David was hit by a drunk man who apparently ran after hitting him.

Career Highlights

• Derek Barnett became the first true freshman in Tennessee history to start in the season opener as a defensive lineman.
• In his first season in college football, Barnett played in 13 games, starting in 10 of them.
• The Philadelphia Eagles selected him in the first round, 14th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft.
• Derek became the third defensive end to be picked in the 2017 NFL Draft behind Myles Garrett (Browns), and Solomon Thomas (49ers).
• Barnett signed a four-year, $12.85 million contract with the Eagles on June 2, 2017.
• He was placed as a backup right defensive end behind regular DE Vinny Curry.
• Derek played 15 games in his rookie season, all as a substitute. He finished the season with 21 combined tackles, 14 solo.
• He played six games in the 2018 season before sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury.
• Barrett finished the 2019 season with 30 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, 22 quarterback hits, and two forced fumbles.
• He played 13 games in the 2020 season, during which he recorded 34 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 16 quarterback hits.
• Derek started the 2021 season as a starting defensive end alongside Brandon Graham. He finished the season with 46 tackles and two sacks in 16 games.
• He signed a two-year contract extension with the Eagles on March 24, 2022.
• Derek missed the entire 2022 season after sustaining an ACL injury in the season opener against the Detroit Lions.
• The Eagles waived Derek off on November 24, 2023.
• The Houston Texans claimed Derek off waivers on November 27, 2023.

Career Stats