The potential Barnes is displaying could lead to a versatile situational role. He's lined up everywhere from outside linebacker to defensive end and even safety in a few schemes. During the majority of his snaps, Barnes has been playing Suggs' rush end spot with the unsigned franchise player absent from practice due to a contract dispute. There have been a lot more pure standup linebacker repetitions for Barnes than last season when he primarily operated as an undersized down lineman as a situational rusher in the sub package

Barnes was immortalized on YouTube last summer during a preseason game when he devastated unsuspecting Philadelphia Eagles punter Sav Rocca with a forearm shiver and right shoulder, popping the helmet off the 6-4, 265-pound former Austrailian rules standout (See Below).

Following that huge hit last August, Barnes has gotten even bigger. A rigorous weightlifting program has bulked him up 15 pounds. Barnes is up to 6-foot-1, 255 pounds while maintaining his 4.5 speed.