10 biggest Alabama football NFL Draft busts of all time

Alabama football NFL Draft bust No. 7: Mark Barron

2012 NFL Draft, Round 1, Pick 7
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2012-2014
St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams, 2014-2018
Pittsburgh Steelers, 2019

Mark Barron was one of the better defensive backs during the 2010s in college football. However, while the Alabama football star was thought to be someone who was going to be a no-brainer when it came to the next level, he just never really carved out that kind of space for himself in the NFL.

Barron was the seventh overall selection in the 2012 draft. As is the case with most guys who are taken in the Top 10, the expectations for the Crimson Tide defender were relatively high. However, he just never really seemed to be the lockdown corner the Tampa Bay Buccaneers thought they were getting.

To his credit, Barron eventually moved out of the defensive backfield and to linebacker, where he did have two 100-tackle seasons. Still, for whatever reason, he found it quite challenging to stick on an NFL roster all that long. He played for three different teams when the smoke cleared on his nine-year career.

The Bucs moved him from corner to strong safety and eventually gave up on him after three seasons. The Rams then moved him to linebacker, where he seemed more comfortable. However, he still didn’t make a long career at that position, and when you consider how high he was drafted, having to change positions to stay in the league isn’t exactly a great sign.