Few positions in the 2012 NFL Draft are as thin as safety. With a handful of teams looking to bolster their secondary later this month, the pickings are slim. Alabama's Mark Barron and Notre Dame's Harrison Smith could be the only two safeties drafted in the first two rounds.
2012 NFL Draft: Is Mark Barron a top-16 pick?
The lack of depth behind him could make Barron a valuable commodity on draft day. Head and shoulders above the rest of the safety class, Barron suffered a hernia, which caused many analysts to drop him in mock drafts.
But with a formidable effort at Alabama’s pro day, Barron’s stock is back on the incline. In fact, Mel Kiper Jr. tweeted today that the former Crimson Tide defensive back is a lock to go in the top-16 picks.
Alabama safety Mark Barron is just about locked into the top 16 overall. I have him projected to go to Dallas at pick #14.
— Mel Kiper Jr. (@MelKiperESPN) April 6, 2012
While Dallas makes sense as a possible landing spot due to need, it’s not a lock that he’ll be available. The Seahawks are also interested in the draft’s best safety, according to Tony Pauline.
Demand for an elite safety is high amongst a few teams, and the supply is one. Thus, Barron’s value seems to have leveled back out to where it should have been all along.
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