Green Bay Packers draft prospect profile: S Mark Barron, Alabama
Player information:
- Mark Barron, S, Alabama
- 6-foot-1, 213 lbs
- Underwent double hernia surgery but still projects as the draft’s top safety
NFL Combine: (injured, did not participate):
News & Notes:
Barron stepped onto campus his freshman year and tallied 11 special teams tackles, the third most on the Alabama roster. From there, Barron took over the starting safety position and proceeded to rattle off three-straight first-team All-SEC selections. Arguably his most productive season came in 2009, when Barron intercepted seven passes as a sophomore. Two years later, Barron is the unquestioned No. 1 senior safety in the 2012 draft class. Most project him in the top-30 picks.
What they’re saying about him:
Wes Bunting (National Football Post): Has the makings of a heck of a special teams player who can also attack downhill vs. the run game, play inside the box and drive on the football in front of him in the pass game. Isn’t going to be a major threat turning and tracking the football, but his improved instincts makes me think he can start in the league early on.
Frank Cooney (CBS Sports): If his feet were as quick as his instincts he would be a great free safety, but Barron is built like and plays like an outstanding strong safety. He has exceptional read-and-react skills, gets a quick jump on passes and has great hand-eye coordination going for the ball. All this somewhat compensates for his lack of great speed. On run support, Barron plays with a good balance of patience and aggression that keeps or puts him in the middle of plays that others might overrun. While he does make the occasional big hit, Barron is more of a text book tackler.
NFL.com (Combine): Barron is an imposing defender on the back end for Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide. He screams “professional defensive back” from preparation, to warm-ups, to in-game productivity and presence. A stalwart at the position, he has the size and athletic ability to contribute right away in the NFL. He is a safety with great range and ball skills to make big plays, and also is a contributor in run support to use his size and instincts to be an active defender. Barron’s combination of size, speed, production and football instincts project him to be a top-50 pick.
Video:
Video Analysis:
- Plays fast
- Looks comfortable making plays from center field
- Shows an ability to blitz from safety position
- Big hitter but sure tackler
- Can break on the football in man coverage
Zach Kruse is a 23-year-old sports journalist with a passion for the Green Bay Packers. He currently lives in Wisconsin and is working on his journalism degree, while also covering prep sports for The Dunn Co. News.
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Damn we have a lot of needs to fill, safety (if Collins can’t go) center, OLB, DL, another CB…LT? We may get one immediate starter or 2, but drafting at 28 , maybe not. I’m curious to see how TT fills these needs for immediate help on D, and at center, for the 2012 season
Love the way Alabama plays D. Can he play OLB? No? Move on!
Too many needs Dan.
We have to face the music – we’re not going to get all 5 needs filled this offseason. Not with the way TT runs FA, and the lower picks we have.
S, OLB, C, DE.
I’d bet we get 2 of those 4 filled in the draft. The other two we’re going to have to count on development from within. If they don’t (like they didn’t this past year) then we’re going to be exploited at spots next year.
Just like NT/OLB/DE/RG going into ’09.
Just like CB/RT/RB/S going into ’10.
Just like DE/LT/LG/OLB going into ’11.
Point is, this is what EVERY team, EVERY year looks like. No one is completely solid.
It’s just who gets the right pieces, and who steps up into a need for whatever team – that’s who wins it all.
Absolutely,plus a lot of development and sprinkle in some luck with injuries.However, two areas are a priority,pass rush and a center.