Can Shaquil Barrett Rebound in 2023?

Here are the prior articles in this series:
Can Azeez Al-Shaair Rebound in 2023?
Can Divine Deablo Rebound in 2023?
Can Kyle Hamilton Rebound in 2023?

As a professional athlete, there may be no greater fear than that of a devastating injury. The majority of your time during the season is spent either in a gym working out your body, on a practice field honing your skills, or in a trainer's office rehabbing your muscles from the high-intensity drills you've put yourself through. One of the more underappreciated battles we watch every Sunday (and Monday, and Thursday, and sometimes even Saturday) is the battle in the trenches between offensive and defensive linemen. Over the course of the last decade, one of the premier defensive linemen has been Shaquil Barrett. However, Barrett suffered a devastating injury on October 27 when he tore his Achilles tendon, resulting in the loss of his season and raising doubts about how effective he could be moving forward in his career. This season, he will look to silence the doubters and continue his recent successes. Here is why 30-year-old Barrett needs to be on your fantasy radar in the 2023 season.

What We Know About Barrett

If you're a fan of defensive football, then you'll know that there are already two parts to Barrett's career. There is part one, his introduction to the NFL, and part two, his ascension to one of the top edge rushers in the league. Early in his career, Barrett was nothing more than an outside linebacker who could occasionally get to the quarterback but was mostly a low tier linebacker who averaged somewhere in the 25-30 tackle range. He was hardly a devastating pass rusher seeing as it took him three years to achieve 10+ career sacks. Then, in the 2019 season, something clicked for Barrett. He achieved career highs in tackles, tackles for loss, and, most importantly, sacks. If you throw out last season due to the injury, he has averaged 53 total tackles and 12 sacks since 2019. These numbers as an outside linebacker make him roster-worthy and give you week-winning potential. Last season prior to injury, he was pacing toward 64 total tackles and six sacks.

Benefitting from Change

Fans of IDP fantasy football understand the formats and positions seemingly change from year to year. We have rarely had consistency when it comes to this side of fantasy football. This season there seems to be a change that will carry over long-term. That being the change of positional designation for players in certain schemes, most notably outside linebackers and defensive ends. Barrett has now changed to a defensive end on most sites. Before this change, I would have shied away from him being a sack dependent outside linebacker. As a defensive end, he is absolutely a starter for most rosters and is likely a candidate for the top 10 at his position. His 2019 season was a monster year of 55 total tackles and 19 sacks. If you were bold enough to pick him up from waivers and play him, you're a stronger man than I am. Had he been coded as a defensive end, he was likely an every week starter and even a true league winner by season's end. This season, we will get to see this potential top lineman, albeit after a devastating setback.

What Is His Value?

Barrett will turn 31 around the halfway point of this upcoming season. He plays a position that is arguably the second most important on the team outside of quarterback and is coming off a major injury to his lower body. He is a dynasty risk, but I think in the short term, he has some value for your team as a defensive end. He isn't someone I would personally start for the first few weeks, not until we have seen how he will perform, but he must be rostered. He will eventually come back to his pre-injury form and an elite option at the position, but patience here is key. In the early season, he will be great depth for your team, with the upside of a league winner when it matters. In redraft, he likely isn't very high in the pecking order, giving managers an opportunity to snipe their league mates with a later-round gem. Always remember, it isn't a "reach" if you get the guy you want. Barrett needs to be a target for your team this season. He will recover from this and be the explosive pass rusher we have seen time and time again. Don't be the manager who didn't see him as worthy of a risk. I would look to acquire him in dynasty leagues, seeing as his price tag will likely never be lower than it is now.

Conclusion

The main caveat for being a rebound is having a reason to be doubted in the first place. Barrett had an injury that would likely end careers at his age. Reports from camp have been positive, and he has been cleared to do drills normally, but he has been quoted saying he is "close to 100%". He started camp avoiding the dreaded PUP list and is working with his team on his change of direction as well as rehabilitating the rest of his motor functions. He is a seasoned veteran that was a late bloomer in the league but has found his footing as a dominant pass rusher. He is due for a slow start, but the managers who are patient with his progress and take a risk on drafting will be rewarded with a great player at a discounted value. Stats win fantasy football, but you can overpay for mediocre production. Barrett has the price tag of someone who is washed or aging out of relevancy, but he has a lot left in the tank and will help you win games. Defensive end may not win you games, but having the wrong one can lose you games. Get Barrett on your roster, watch him perform, and be happy you read this and all other Footballguys content. That little edge could be the difference in the playoffs or your league's loser punishment!

Follow me on Twitter @mattmontyff, and make sure you're following @footballguys for all your fantasy football-related content! Who knows what you might learn?