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What Can The Los Angeles Rams Expect From Mark Barron?

By Matt LaPan

Nov 15, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams outside linebacker Mark Barron (26) is introduced to the crowd prior to a game against the Chicago Bears at the Edward Jones Dome. The Bears won the game 37-13. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams outside linebacker Mark Barron (26) is introduced to the crowd prior to a game against the Chicago Bears at the Edward Jones Dome. The Bears won the game 37-13. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports /
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Prior to the 2015 season, many looked at Mark Barron as a bust. The former number seven overall pick lasted just three seasons in Tampa Bay before being traded to the then-St. Louis Rams.

Related Story: 30 Biggest Draft Busts of All-Time

It was a 116-tackle season in 2015 that has turned some heads and has many excited for the possibilities for Mark Barron in the Los Angeles Rams defense in 2016.

Barron made the move to a hybrid linebacker/safety position in Gregg Williams’ defense in 2015 – a position that he was clearly comfortable with. While he is listed as a safety on the official Los Angeles Rams depth chart – a chart that shows a 4-2-5. With Barron joining starters Akeem Ayers and Alec Ogletree, he could be poised for another huge season.

Jul 31, 2016; Irvine, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams safety Mark Barron (26) practice at training camp at UC Irvine. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2016; Irvine, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams safety Mark Barron (26) practice at training camp at UC Irvine. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Barron’s role will be larger in 2016. The Rams have moved on from James Laurinaitis in the offseason, moving Alec Ogletree into the middle. This means that Williams will need someone to help Ogletree in the middle of the field, a spot that Barron is more than capable of covering. Barron’s 6-2 frame and aggressive nature make him the perfect candidate to be the tackle machine in the middle of the field.

It also leaves a spot for Barron to come forward on pressure situations as well. Barron has just six career sacks, but was used more and more as a blitzer late in the 2015 season. The Rams still have one of the best defensive lines in football with Aaron Donald and Robert Quinn, but lost Chris Long and could use a little help generating pass rush on the side opposite Quinn.

Barron will also play a huge role in coverage for the Rams. Both he and Ogletree have the athleticism to cover tight ends and running backs, giving the Rams a unique set of skills in their linebacker group. With two players having coverage ability, Williams can get creative with how he utilizes the group, creating confusion for quarterbacks. This will take some of the pressure off of the defensive backfield – giving Quinn and Donald more time to get home on their pass rush.

The lone worry in Los Angeles is if 2015 was a result of a contract year for Barron. After posting career-highs in tackles and forced fumbles, Barron inked a 5-year, $45-million contract, making him a core player in the Los Angeles Rams future. Many players have flashed in contract years before falling off the map in subsequent years.

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Barron is set up for success enter 2016, now it is up to him to take advantage of a huge opportunity and become another core piece in a good Rams defense.

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