CLE Derek Barnett
NFL player. Position: DE. Team: CLE.
Quick Facts
- Position: DE
- Team: CLE (Cleveland Browns)
- Experience: 10 seasons (2017–2024 Eagles, 2025 Texans)
- Contract: 1 year, up to $5.5M (signed August 23, 2026)
2026 Outlook
Veteran edge rusher added as emergency depth following Alex Wright's season-ending Achilles injury. Barnett signed a one-year contract (up to $5.5M) with the Browns on August 23 after playing for the Houston Texans in 2025. He recorded five sacks last season and brings 12.5 career sacks across three seasons in Houston plus 21.5 sacks from seven seasons with Philadelphia, where he won a Super Bowl with the Eagles in his rookie year (2017). Barnett provides proven depth but is not expected to be a full-time starter. With Isaiah McGuire as the primary replacement for Wright opposite Jared Verse, Barnett will rotate into the rotation (per Browns lose DE Wright (Achilles) for season, add DE Barnett).
Week 5 opportunity: Following Mason Graham's MCL/ankle sprain, the Browns may move Barnett inside to take a few snaps at DT alongside Mike Hall Jr., Adin Huntington, and Maliek Collins to manage the loss of their star pass rusher. This interior role change could provide a modest snap-count increase while Graham recovers (per Official Update Released on Mason Graham's Injury Suffered in Browns Win Thursday).
Role / Depth Chart
Edge rusher rotating into defensive end rotation, backup/depth piece behind Isaiah McGuire.
Injury Status
Oct 8 Week 5 — ankle injury, DNP: Derek Barnett did not participate in Wednesday practice due to an ankle injury (per Wednesday injury report for the Browns Week 5 against the Jets - Yahoo Sports).
Recent News
- 2026-10-08 — Wednesday injury report: Barnett ankle injury, DNP (Wednesday injury report for the Browns Week 5 against the Jets - Yahoo Sports)
- 2026-08-23 — Browns lose DE Wright (Achilles) for season, add DE Barnett (Browns lose DE Wright (Achilles) for season, add DE Barnett)