Khalif Barnes was being touted as a probable first round pick leading up to Saturday’s NFL draft but when it came down to it, the former University of Washington offensive lineman couldn’t escape his past.
Barnes, a 6-foot-6, 305-pound offensive tackle who’s stock seemed to rise throughout the offseason, fell to the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 20th pick of the second round, the 52nd overall. He was the fourth tackle taken and the sixth offensive lineman.
Barnes, who had solid showing at the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine, was projected as a first round pick in most mock drafts, and several had Jacksonville selecting the southern California native.
But several reports indicated that teams were concerned by Barnes’ work ethic as well as his health after he missed six games last season for the Huskies with a broken wrist.
Barnes said in a conference call Saturday that he was disappointed to fall out of the first round.
“I think there were a few players that I could of moved in there in front of,” Barnes said. “It happens in every draft. The only thing I can do is go out there and play.”
Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio said he was thrilled to see Barnes fall to where he did.
“I think we’ll get a guy who comes in with a little bit of a chip on his shoulder,” Del Rio said. “We think he’s a good football player.”
Barnes came to Washington as a defensive end but switched to tackle and started 42 straight games before breaking his wrist. As a junior, he was named honorable mention all-Pacific-10 Conference.
“This is an athletic guy,” Del Rio said. “He’s got the athleticism to get out there and protect the left side. He has some aggressiveness and some of the traits we’re looking for.”
The Jaguars, who finished 9-7 last season (second in the AFC South) and didn’t make the playoffs, selected former Washington wide receiver Reggie Williams with their first pick of the 2004 draft. They also have former Huskies running back Rich Alexis on the roster.
Jacksonville has five offensive tackles on its roster, including starting left tackle Mike Pearson (Maurice Williams starts on the right). Ephraim Salaam, Bob Whitfield and Sammy Williams are also on the team.
Barnes said that he will now focus on showing that teams made a mistake letting him fall into the second round.
“In the end, it doesn’t matter where you come in here in the NFL, it matters when you leave,” Barnes said. “If I can leave after I sign a couple of contracts and make a little more money, then I won’t be mad at what happened. Whatever reason why I fell, it’s in the past, I can’t justify what happened there. But I’m excited to be drafted in the second round by the Jaguars.”
Barnes was the only Washington player drafted on the first day.
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