Christian Barmore was one of the key pieces on the New England Patriots defense last season. And due to his impressive showing, he was rewarded with a big contract extension. 

But that's not all. 

NFL executives, coaches, and scouts also noticed Barmore's strong season. 

Every season prior to training camp, ESPN surveys league executives, coaches and scouts to rank the top 10 players at 11 positions. And on July 9, they released the list of defensive tackles. 

While Barmore wasn't listed in the top 10, he did earn an honorable mention. 

"A run-stopper with sack production and big upside. Can rush from the inside. Has some Chris Jones to him," an NFC scout told ESPN. 

Barmore truly showed what he was capable during the 2023 season, specifically in the Patriots' Christmas Eve win over the Denver Broncos. He recorded three sacks and two tackles for loss in the victory.

The defensive tackle finished the season with 64 total tackles, 8.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and six passes defended. 

So throughout the offseason, head coach Jerod Mayo made it clear that the priority was to lock Barmore down to an extension. 

“One thing with Barmore, he’s one of those players that he’s developed here," Mayo said in March. "There were some questions coming out of college, obviously, with his potential. He’s done a fantastic job, really, growing up. I think DeMarcus (Covington) and Joe Kim have done a good job really helping develop him. Look, once again, it goes back to ‘we want to keep our own.’ We want to keep our own players. And we have had talks with Barmore and hopefully it works out.”

And it did work out, with the defensive tackle agreeing to a four-year deal with a maximum value of $92 million. It's worth $41.8 million in guarantees.

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Here is the full 10 ten list:

1. Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs
2. Quinnen Williams, New York Jets
3. Dexter Lawrence II, New York Giants
4. Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans
5. Justin Madubuike, Baltimore Ravens
6. Christian Wilkins, Las Vegas Raiders
7. Derrick Brown, Carolina Panthers
8. DeForest Buckner, Indianapolis Colts
9. Kenny Clark, Green Bay Packers
10. Javon Hargrave, San Francisco 49ers

Honorable Mentions

• Vita Vea, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Jonathan Allen, Washington Commanders
• Jalen Carter, Philadelphia Eagles
• Daron Payne, Washington Commanders
• Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers
• Christian Barmore, New England Patriots

Other players who received votes: Arik Armstead (Jacksonville Jaguars), Zach Sieler (Miami Dolphins), Ed Oliver (Buffalo Bills), Leonard Williams (Seattle Seahawks), Grady Jarrett (Atlanta Falcons), Dre'Mont Jones (Seattle Seahawks)