The Denver Broncos are hosting free agent Mark Barron on a visit.
The Denver Broncos have suffered a couple of key injuries at the linebacker position through the first 10 days of training camp, and now they’re bringing in some reinforcements.
Potentially.
If all goes well with the visit, the Broncos will likely find a way to get veteran linebacker/safety Mark Barron into the fold. Barron’s visit with the team was reported by Mike Klis:
Broncos scheduled to visit w/veteran LB Mark Barron per multiple sources. 2012 first-round pick was SS early in his career with TB but now listed at 6-2, 230. Also played for LAR/PIT. He would be ILB who can play in space if he signs. He must first clear COVID testing. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) August 27, 2020
Barron played 750 defensive snaps for the Pittsburgh Steelers a season ago, and the Steelers’ defense was vastly underrated as a unit last year because of the constant shuffling at the quarterback position that went on.
From week 6 to week 14, the Steelers won seven of eight games and the defense allowed more than 17 points just twice. They finished last season 5th in the NFL in points allowed and tops in the league in turnovers forced.
Barron started nine games and played in 15, racking up 82 total tackles with three sacks, an interception, three pass breakups, four tackles for loss, and four quarterback hits.
The 2012 first-round pick out of Alabama hasn’t lived up to his first-round billing in terms of becoming a true star at the safety position in the NFL, but he could be a decent veteran addition at this point in camp who could be an asset for the Broncos.
The decision to bring in Barron for a visit comes after the Broncos lost starter Todd Davis to a calf injury and then Justin Strnad to a season-ending wrist injury.
The depth at inside linebacker is thin enough that the Broncos decided to move Justin Hollins back to the inside after playing him exclusively with the outside linebackers early in camp.
There’s no reason to think this visit means that Barron is going to be the Broncos’ week one starter against the Titans. He will obviously need time to acclimate to Vic Fangio’s defense at one of the more difficult positions to just ‘pick up’.
Barron has a lot of experience in the NFL at this point and he’s certainly still a free agent for a reason, but considering where the Broncos are at with the inside linebacker position, he’s a worthwhile gamble.