Linebacker Mark Barron has re-signed with the Los Angeles Rams. The deal is worth $45 million over 5 years. After starting his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Barron spent the last season and a half with the St. Louis Rams.
The #Rams gave LB Mark Barron $45M over 5 years, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2016
Mark Barron Re-Signs With Los Angeles Rams
Changing his position to linebacker after playing safety to start his career, Barron tallied career highs in tackles (116) and forced fumbles (4) in 2015. Playing in 12 games during the campaign, he finished as the 20th-best linebacker in football with a 74.8 overall grade; his season grade included an impressive 82.1 rating in rushing defense according to Pro Football Focus. Displaying much versatility in his young career, Barron would’ve been a solid pickup for any needy team, but the Rams decided to keep him.
The 26-year-old has had a decent NFL career thus far. Entering the league in 2012 after a stellar career at Alabama, Barron started all 16 games at strong safety for the Buccaneers. He ended his rookie campaign with 88 tackles, one interception and 10 passes defensed. He showed great promise in spite of playing on the league’s worst passing defense at the time. Equaling his tackle total in year two, Barron added two interceptions and two sacks. On October 28, 2014, the Buccaneers traded Barron to the St. Louis Rams for a fourth and sixth-round draft pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. In 2015, Barron switched over to the weakside linebacker position, after an injury to Alec Ogletree.
Born in Mobile, Alabama, Barron attended the city’s St. Paul’s Episcopal School. Playing multiple positions–and not to mention multiple sports–he was named first-team All-State selection in Class 5A by the Alabama Sports Writers Association as a senior. A five-star prospect, Barron was ranked the No. 5 player in the state of Alabama and also the top weakside linebacker in the Class of 2008. He opted to attend the University of Alabama after receiving numerous offers from Division I programs. His illustrious collegiate accolades include three All-SEC first-team selections, two All-American honors (one unanimous) and two BCS National Championships. Barron was selected seventh overall by Tampa in the 2012 NFL Draft, the highest selected Alabama defensive back in school history.
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