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2014 NFL Draft: Anthony Barr slipping like Jarvis Jones did in 2013

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Barr, The #4 ranked prospect on the Steelers BTSC Big Board, is being downgraded in all the recent mock drafts. Here's the big board write-up of him just to remind you:

HV 1:05

Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA - 6'4-7/8", 255 lbs. A tremendous and special athlete comparable to the early 2013 picks Mingo and Jordan. He'll require a redshirt year to develop physically and skills-wise, but the general athleticism is off the charts. A great but not stellar Combine left us with an idle dream that he might fall to 1:15, but then came the pro day Barr where did absurd things like run an (electronically timed) 4.45. [Sigh]. Here is the BTSC scouting report. Here is a fun SBNation scouting report/article on Barr's extraordinary nonstop motor and why it will make him a great pro. With the release of Lamarr Woodley the Steelers have a real lack of depth at OLB. Barr would have been a dream come true, but it's not going to happen. Came to Pittsburgh for a private visit.

First it was PFT on 4/7/14:

20. Cardinals: Anthony Barr, linebacker, UCLA.

If the Cards are going to keep up with the 49ers, Seahawks, and Rams, the Cards need pass rushers.

Then Mel Kiper commented on his floor on 4/8/14:

Defense

DE Anthony Barr, UCLA

Expectation: Middle of Round 1.

How low could he go? New Orleans at No. 27. I've dropped him a little on my board after spending more time on his tape, but he's still clearly a first-rounder for me. The ceiling and the instincts on defense are a question, but this is still a very good athlete who can rush the passer.

on 4/9/14 nfl.com's mock draft 5.0 has Barr going #16, just after the Steelers pick of course:

  1. PICK NO. 16 DAL ANTHONY BARR OLB UCLA The Cowboys are desperate for edge rushers and Barr would be an excellent value at this spot.

Todd McShay insanely dropped him into the 2ND RD on 4/10/14:

36. Oakland Raiders: Anthony Barr, DE/OLB, UCLA
I don't have Barr ranked as high as some others, but he is a good speed rusher off the edge who could help in Oakland.

Don Banks SI also has him at #20 on 4/10/14, but at least acknowledges its a steal.

20. Arizona -- Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA

The Cardinals, perpetually in search of more pass rush, would be very fortunate indeed to see Barr get to them at No. 20. The former Bruin carries a top-12 grade in the estimation of many teams, and while he isn't a polished product, having played only two years of defense, he'd upgrade an Arizona defense that is only an improved pass rush away from being first rate. If Barr is gone, a defensive end like Missouri's Kony Ealy or Auburn's Dee Ford would represent the next best pass-rush option. And if Bridgewater lingers this long, Arizona might opt for Carson Palmer's eventual successor.

So are we supposed to believe that the Steelers would pass on a guy like Barr if he's slipping? CB/WRs are deep. Barr has explosiveness that the pass rush was missing, seems an ideal fit as a disrupter.

Count me in on the Anthony Barr bandwagon, and lets hope for once these mocks drafts are right.

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