Why Barron ?

[InmanRoshi]

any highlight reels out on barron from this season?

Sorry, don't put much stock in Youtube highlight reels.

 

[cowboysooner]

People underrate his athletic ability. The last season he was fully healthy he had 7 INTs for the year. That's as many as Eric Berry ever had in a season. That's just one less than Earl Thomas had in his best season, and Barron is a heck of a lot better all around safety than Thomas is. Barron ran a 4.53 coming off a surgery that takes 10-12 weeks to get back to performing football activities. He described himself as 80%. If he had spent the last 3 months attending speed camps/draft workouts 24/7 like all the other prospects instead of being on the shelf, no doubt in my mind he's running 4.4s at 215 lbs.

Further these amateur draft sites who say he's just an in the box safety frankly don't know what the heck they're talking about. Most the time he played "in the box" was as a dime linebacker when Alabama wanted to get an extra defensive back on the field, and many times he was covering the slot WRs. That's a really rare quality in a safety, and huge plus on Barron's resume. It's quite frightening that these internet draft sites that people treat as gospel can't decipher that.

He is not as good as Thomas as a free safety. Thomas' ability to track the ball and cover a slot receiver or tight end is off the chart compared to any safety in many drafts other than Berry. Thomas is probably even better as a deep safety than Berry.

 

[JBS]

Sorry, don't put much stock in Youtube highlight reels.

not suggesting you should...just saying it would be nice to actually see him making plays in coverage..

 

[jnday]

I agree. There are always unrealistic expectations. I don't think there is an elite Safety in this draft, but there are many decent ones who with the right coaching will become impact players. That includes Taylor from LSU.

The problem is we are not shopping for decent at 14. It isn't logical to reach on a player if you have questions about covering receivers. Yes he can hit and is very instinctive but can you live with another Williams as your safety net?

And I think we all forget the coaches we just brought in. Let us give Callahan and Henderson a chance to coach up the current OL players and see if Henderson can further develop church.

You expressed my feelings exactly . I'm don't want decent at 14 , I want elite . I.wouldn't mind Barron late first/second . He doesn't offer much value at 14 .

 

[Risen Star]

This safety class is awful, IMO. It's pretty much Barron and a bunch of guys.

 

[NeonNinja]

any highlight reels out on barron from this season?

Bob Sturm did a draft profile on Barron today and listed a few videos in it.

It's on the front page of his blog if you're interested in reading the profile and seeing a few vids.

 

[cowboysooner]

This safety class is awful, IMO. It's pretty much Barron and a bunch of guys.

It has been that way for several years. Last year the top safety was Rahim Moore and he was outplayed by Quinton Carter a 4th round rookie down the stretch. The year before I think was Louis Delmas who turned out pretty good but plays in one of the worst NFL pass defenses.

With so many good to decent corners you would think more of the step slow guys with hands would become good corners.

 

[jnday]

This safety class is awful, IMO. It's pretty much Barron and a bunch of guys.

Yeah , second year in a row without a true elite safety . Barron is the best in the last couple of years , but he would have been the third or fourth best in 2010 . Seems like the quality coming out of college is on a downward trend.

 

[jswalker1981]

You expressed my feelings exactly . I'm don't want decent at 14 , I want elite . I.wouldn't mind Barron late first/second . He doesn't offer much value at 14 .

Except for when the Eagles or Jets draft him?

 

[AKATheRake]

You expressed my feelings exactly . I'm don't want decent at 14 , I want elite . I.wouldn't mind Barron late first/second . He doesn't offer much value at 14 .

What elite prospect you think is going to be there at #14?

Remember, availability and/or the willingness to trade up while actually having the resources to do so are the only other options when the player you want won't be there at your selection. I don't see this club looking to move up, maybe down if anything.

If Coples drops, sure I take him. Not happening though.

KC, Seattle and Arizona could use DeCastro in the worst way.

Don't tell me Dontari Poe is elite because Barron has much more positive tape than Poe and is not even considered the best d-lineman in the draft so whatever justification for him would be illogical considering why Barron is not elite at his position.

Fletcher Cox is interviewing with the Rams who may trade out again and if he doesn't go top 10, it's them moving to KC's spot because KC would want Tannehill. The Rams would most likely chose Cox or the kid from Notre Dame instead of Blackmon at that point.

Mark Barron has many more reports than not saying he is top 15 talent.

So again, who is going to be available at # 14 and considered an elite prospect at their position and fills one of our top 3 needs?

 

[AKATheRake]

Yeah , second year in a row without a true elite safety . Barron is the best in the last couple of years , but he would have been the third or fourth best in 2010 . Seems like the quality coming out of college is on a downward trend.

3rd or 4th best 2 seasons ago when he wasn't even supposed to come out yet?

The guy was an all American that year to boot. LOL!

2 years before Eric Berry was supposed to come out he probably would have been the 3rd or 4th best safety that draft class also.

Safeties do more now in today's game than they have in the last decade. The quality is not going down, the responsibilities of being able to go after the QB, cover RB's, TE's while supporting the run and/or cover the slot and your sides cb's deep back is as versatile an order of tasks as any position throughout a defense.

Where do you get your rational?

This guy is not just above average at all of those responsibilities, he's great at them and does not have to come off the field.

I beg to ask the question again. What are fans realistic expectations of todays safeties? To just be elite in coverage?

 

[mensaone]

KC, Seattle and Arizona could use DeCastro in the worst way.

the key word is COULD

I seen where the experts have us passing on him

 

[jnday]

Except for when the Eagles or Jets draft him?

Let those teams reach for him . Okay by me .

 

[jnday]

What elite prospect you think is going to be there at #14?

Remember, availability and/or the willingness to trade up while actually having the resources to do so are the only other options when the player you want won't be there at your selection. I don't see this club looking to move up, maybe down if anything.

If Coples drops, sure I take him. Not happening though.

KC, Seattle and Arizona could use DeCastro in the worst way.x

Don't tell me Dontari Poe is elite because Barron has much more positive tape than Poe and is not even considered the best d-lineman in the draft so whatever justification for him would be illogical considering why Barron is not elite at his position.

Fletcher Cox is interviewing with the Rams who may trade out again and if he doesn't go top 10, it's them moving to KC's spot because KC would want Tannehill. The Rams would most likely chose Cox or the kid from Notre Dame instead of Blackmon at that point.

Mark Barron has many more reports than not saying he is top 15 talent.

So again, who is going to be available at # 14 and considered an elite prospect at their position and fills one of our top 3 needs?

Just like any draft , depends on who falls . If an elite player is not there , trade down . Simple isn't it .

 

[jnday]

3rd or 4th best 2 seasons ago when he wasn't even supposed to come out yet?

The guy was an all American that year to boot. LOL!

2 years before Eric Berry was supposed to come out he probably would have been the 3rd or 4th best safety that draft class also.

Safeties do more now in today's game than they have in the last decade. The quality is not going down, the responsibilities of being able to go after the QB, cover RB's, TE's while supporting the run and/or cover the slot and your sides cb's deep back is as versatile an order of tasks as any position throughout a defense.

Where do you get your rational?

This guy is not just above average at all of those responsibilities, he's great at them and does not have to come off the field.

I beg to ask the question again. What are fans realistic expectations of todays safeties? To just be elite in coverage?

Since you have trouble understanding , I will explain . Barron compares to the talent level of Allen or Burnett from the 2010 draft . That is Barron's talent level does not match Thomas or Berry at the time they declared for the draft . This just happens to be a very weak year for safeties .
To address expectations , I expect any safety drafted at the 14 th position to have above average/ elite coverage skills and coverage skills should be first in the evaluation of any DB . That is what I expect . Stopping the run or blitzing is way down the list of traits that I would use to evaluate Barron . From reading your post , average coverage ability is acceptable .

 

[AKATheRake]

Just like any draft , depends on who falls . If an elite player is not there , trade down . Simple isn't it .

It's not simple.

You have to find someone who wants your selections and is willing to give up enough for it.

To even want to trade down there has to be other prospects in that range that would be useful selections.

Tyron Smith last year was not considered elite but he was the best prospect available at our most needed position and a lot of people felt #9 overall was a hell of a reach for an undersized RT. I was one.

Boy did that pick work out well.

That doesn't mean you just take shots and risks without regard.

But when you have a need, a justifiable talent with your selections and you know several teams right behind you have that need and respect the players talent you make the selection. There's no trading out.

There may even be teams trying to jump in front of us for Barron.

Also keep in mind, this elite level safety you talk about? Eric Berry went 5th overall and Earl thomas went 14th overall.

Remember Sean Taylor? Don't think he was any good? He used to kill us. Went 5th overall and that's the safety Mark Barron resembles most to me.

 

[AKATheRake]

Since you have trouble understanding , I will explain . Barron compares to the talent level of Allen or Burnett from the 2010 draft . That is Barron's talent level does not match Thomas or Berry at the time they declared for the draft . This just happens to be a very weak year for safeties .
To address expectations , I expect any safety drafted at the 14 th position to have above average/ elite coverage skills and coverage skills should be first in the evaluation of any DB . That is what I expect . Stopping the run or blitzing is way down the list of traits that I would use to evaluate Barron . From reading your post , average coverage ability is acceptable .

For the 3rd time. Coverage skills are very important for a good safety. Absolutely required and Barron has them.

Elite coverage skills? There a difference to what extent elite coverage skills are. Corners usually posess those and rarely is there ever more than 2 that do in a draft. If safeties has elite coverage skills they would be starting corners.

You need to be realistic. Now if you want to say elite for the safety level we're making more sense and though I don't think Barron's coverage skills are that of Berry's or Thomas', it is not by as large of a margin you make it out to be. To add, those guys are back there keeping the ball in front of them and aren't micing it up going after the QB or covering rb's and TE's as much as Rob Ryan would have a player like Mark Barron do. It's no secret Rob Ryan likes his safeties to be able to blitz and hit and not just cover. Cover well, yes, but not just that. Barron is as versatile a safety since Sean Taylor.

That's the level of talent and play by play impact we're talking about here with Barron. This guys started on 2 national championship teams and has played that well throughout all physical circumstances at the highest level in college football. This guy is battle tested like Taylor was and more so than Earl Thomas was coming out.

You need to really look at this guy and I can't see how you have watched him these past 2 years and claim him to be an in the box safety only?

Barron is a much more highly regarded prospect than Nate Allen or Morgan Burnett. Much more talented in every facet of being a safety. I don't know where you get this information but it sounds quite outdated.

You really only offer comments like "just trade down, it's that simple." "He's not elite enough in coverage to pick at # 14." You're comparing to Eric Berry who was a 5th overall pick, Earl Thomas who came out as a sophmore and was still selected at 14. Sean Taylor who has similar make up to Barron I compare him to and was a 5th overall pick.

Details, man. Not just comments.

 

[jnday]

It's not simple.

You have to find someone who wants your selections and is willing to give up enough for it.

To even want to trade down there has to be other prospects in that range that would be useful selections.

Tyron Smith last year was not considered elite but he was the best prospect available at our most needed position and a lot of people felt #9 overall was a hell of a reach for an undersized RT. I was one.

Boy did that pick work out well.

That doesn't mean you just take shots and risks without regard.

But when you have a need, a justifiable talent with your selections and you know several teams right behind you have that need and respect the players talent you make the selection. There's no trading out.

There may even be teams trying to jump in front of us for Barron.

Also keep in mind, this elite level safety you talk about? Eric Berry went 5th overall and Earl thomas went 14th overall.

Remember Sean Taylor? Don't think he was any good? He used to kill us. Went 5th overall and that's the safety Mark Barron resembles most to me.

There is no way of knowing who will be available at 14 . I graded Barron as a late first / early second round pick in January . Go back and check the posts . There was not a poster on this board that said Barron would be worth the 14th pick , with the exception of Randy White . A few feel good articles about Barron being the Cowboys' pick , and this board is full of Barron fans . I don't work that way . I have watched as many of Barron's games as anybody on this board and based my opinion off those games . I don't use scouting reports for information when I have access to the games . You see Taylor , I see a safety that covers the deep middle like Roy Williams . I think Barron has trouble turning and covering the deep middle . Scouts say it is due to stiff hips . I don't care what causes it . I just know that Barron will get toasted by Cruz or Jackson on these deep routes . I won't go as far as many of the scouting reports that say he is strictly a in-the-box safety , but he does have problems in the area that I mentioned .
If one of these other teams draft him , it's okay with me . When Dallas plays them , the deep middle will be open for Austin and Dez .

 

[1LoyalCowboyFan]

How many times did we see our defense give up 20 plus yard plays? I'm scared to death of picking up a safety. Especially in a weak class. If we do pick him up and the trend continues this will be all of us :bang2:. Would have been nice to see him work out completely healthy.

 

[AKATheRake]

There is no way of knowing who will be available at 14 . I graded Barron as a late first / early second round pick in January . Go back and check the posts . There was not a poster on this board that said Barron would be worth the 14th pick , with the exception of Randy White . A few feel good articles about Barron being the Cowboys' pick , and this board is full of Barron fans . I don't work that way . I have watched as many of Barron's games as anybody on this board and based my opinion off those games . I don't use scouting reports for information when I have access to the games . You see Taylor , I see a safety that covers the deep middle like Roy Williams . I think Barron has trouble turning and covering the deep middle . Scouts say it is due to stiff hips . I don't care what causes it . I just know that Barron will get toasted by Cruz or Jackson on these deep routes . I won't go as far as many of the scouting reports that say he is strictly a in-the-box safety , but he does have problems in the area that I mentioned .
If one of these other teams draft him , it's okay with me . When Dallas plays them , the deep middle will be open for Austin and Dez .

If we're expecting any safety, even Ed Reed to go toe to toe with Victor Cruz or Desean Jackson without any bump up front or help from a corner the result will be devastating unless somehow the pass rush runs over the QB before the ball gets off. The secondary would have had a blown coverage or lack of adjustment to a hot route or offensive motion.

The knock on Barron is that he does not have the most fluid of hips. I will agree with that. He is very capable in coverage nonetheless and is an adamant play maker on the ball whether it is in front of him or on jump balls.

January is 3 months ago my firend, the Superbowl was still being fought for.

Sticking to pre-combine information does have advantages and I do admire that level of looking back, but you're at a huge disadvantage not updating info.

This drafts truly elite prospects in comparison to others are the 2 QB's, the LT Kahlil, Trent Richardson at RB, Coples as a 4-3 DE and a guard in DeCastro which has a good 4-5 players after him that aren't that huge a drop off in talent and can be had picks 20 - 45. Guess what? He'll probably be gone and if not this team is looking defense.

So guess what? At 14, you're not going to get a prospect regarded as an elite or once in a decade player at his position in this years draft.

Not until the actually play in the league ;-). Like Darelle Revis, like Ed Reed. Earl Thomas was not considered elite or blue chip at the time. He's starting to look like it. Tyron Smith, same thing last year. I was one of his detractors.

You are asking for top 5 talent at 14, not happening. We trade down and the 1st round talent even drops that much more. Top of the 2nd will have great value where guys like Dont'a Hightower, Peter Konz, Kevin Zeitler, Chris Perry and maybe the best cover player in the draft Janoris Jenkins may be around due to character issues.

That's what we're dealing with realistically. The updated reality as of today is the scouts and the league see Mark Barron as a viable top 15 talent and a ready to start safety. He will not end up in the bottom of the first and/or 2nd rounds. It has nothing to do with feel good stories. Check his footage, check the update reports and what teams are looking for. If you listen to all the analysts doing mocks they are continually joking that Mark Barron seems to be the player linked to every team from just before us to 20.