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Draft Focus: Alabama Safety Best Available
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
Name: Mark Barron
Position: Safety
College: Alabama
Height/Weight: 6-2/220
Age: 21 (born Nov. 21, 1990)
Honors: Barron was one of three finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back. He was a unanimous All-American pick in 2011 after earning first-team All-American honors as a junior in 2010 as well.
Strengths: He's got the tackling and hitting ability of a linebacker with defensive back speed and quickness. Barron is probably the closest thing to Darren Woodson coming out of the draft in several years. Not only does he have the frame, size and tools for the position physically, but his instincts are good enough to be the last line of defense and not give up many big plays.
Weaknesses: For a big-time hitter always looking for the big shot, Barron does miss a few more tackles than teams would want. He's going to have some problems – like all safeties do – handling the inside receivers on a consistent basis. Could be a matchup problem at times. Has mild character concerns after being arrested in 2011 for not fully cooperating with police officials after a traffic incident. Injuries have been an issue for Barron at times, but he does show the ability to play through it.
Sound Bites: On the NFL's strict fine policy for helmet-to-helmet hits on defenseless receivers and having to adjust his style of play: "Honestly, I don't like them because the way I've been taught to play the game, I hit hard. I guess I'll have to make some adjustments. Hopefully I'll be able to make them. I'm not sure if I will because that's the way I was taught to play the game. I guess we'll see what happens."
Where He's Headed: While he's the best safety of the bunch and comes from Alabama, the home of many great defensive players in recent years, Barron does have a couple of strikes against him that could hurt his draft status, one of which is a groin injury that nagged him all of his senior season and required surgery in January. That has limited his workouts and might affect his testing times. Plus, the safety position is still a spot that doesn't always garner top attention. There are some teams that don't value the spot like others and tend to overlook it as a high priority.
How He Helps the Cowboys: Drafting a safety would give the team an immediate upgrade to the depth at safety, which has been lacking for years. The team signed veteran Brodney Pool to a one-year deal, but it won't be anything that detracts them from taking a safety in any round. Barron would be a nice fit for the Cowboys, but the real question is will they take a safety that high, knowing that shoring up the pass rush and line of scrimmage should be a bigger priority. If Barron is rated the highest player on their board, it would make sense.
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
Name: Mark Barron
Position: Safety
College: Alabama
Height/Weight: 6-2/220
Age: 21 (born Nov. 21, 1990)
Honors: Barron was one of three finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back. He was a unanimous All-American pick in 2011 after earning first-team All-American honors as a junior in 2010 as well.
Strengths: He's got the tackling and hitting ability of a linebacker with defensive back speed and quickness. Barron is probably the closest thing to Darren Woodson coming out of the draft in several years. Not only does he have the frame, size and tools for the position physically, but his instincts are good enough to be the last line of defense and not give up many big plays.
Weaknesses: For a big-time hitter always looking for the big shot, Barron does miss a few more tackles than teams would want. He's going to have some problems – like all safeties do – handling the inside receivers on a consistent basis. Could be a matchup problem at times. Has mild character concerns after being arrested in 2011 for not fully cooperating with police officials after a traffic incident. Injuries have been an issue for Barron at times, but he does show the ability to play through it.
Sound Bites: On the NFL's strict fine policy for helmet-to-helmet hits on defenseless receivers and having to adjust his style of play: "Honestly, I don't like them because the way I've been taught to play the game, I hit hard. I guess I'll have to make some adjustments. Hopefully I'll be able to make them. I'm not sure if I will because that's the way I was taught to play the game. I guess we'll see what happens."
Where He's Headed: While he's the best safety of the bunch and comes from Alabama, the home of many great defensive players in recent years, Barron does have a couple of strikes against him that could hurt his draft status, one of which is a groin injury that nagged him all of his senior season and required surgery in January. That has limited his workouts and might affect his testing times. Plus, the safety position is still a spot that doesn't always garner top attention. There are some teams that don't value the spot like others and tend to overlook it as a high priority.
How He Helps the Cowboys: Drafting a safety would give the team an immediate upgrade to the depth at safety, which has been lacking for years. The team signed veteran Brodney Pool to a one-year deal, but it won't be anything that detracts them from taking a safety in any round. Barron would be a nice fit for the Cowboys, but the real question is will they take a safety that high, knowing that shoring up the pass rush and line of scrimmage should be a bigger priority. If Barron is rated the highest player on their board, it would make sense.
