NFL Draft 2012: Mark Barron and the Best Safety Prospects

With the NFL operating as a pass-happy, score lots and lots of touchdowns league, never have secondary members been so important. 

Alabama's Mark Barron headlines the somewhat shallow class of safeties in the 2012 NFL draft class as a guy that most likely carries a first-round grade for most teams. 

He's an imposing strong safety who certainly makes his presence felt when he's lined up in the box. Although he's not wildly impressive in coverage, he's crafty, and is capable of making big plays while in coverage. 

There are a few other intriguing safeties that, although probably selected on Day 2 or Day 3 of the draft, will piece together solid careers at the professional ranks. 

George Iloka, Boise State 

Iloka will draw the eyes of many teams after the first round because of his size and athletic ability that allows him to fluidly cover a lot of ground in the secondary. 

He's 6'4'' and 225 pounds and ran a 4.66 in the 40-yard-dash in Indianapolis at the combine. He plays with an instinctive edge and is seemingly always around the football because of it—a great quality to have.

While his range could potentially lead to him emerging as a true interception fiend at the next level, he's best suited as a well-rounded safety that can make plays at the line and in coverage. 

Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State 

At 6'1'' and 207 pounds, Martin has more prototypical safety size and is a more conventional safety prospect altogether. 

While he's not overly explosive breaking in one direction, he possesses elite foot speed to track the football on deep routes even he's been beat initially. 

Martin isn't known for his abilities in run support, but when he does square up a running back, he usually delivers a huge hit. 

In the right system that can mask some of his athletic deficiencies, he could thrive. 

Harrison Smith, Notre Dame 

Smith is bit overhyped, but his size (6'3'', 215 pounds) and athletic talents have made many believe he has Pro Bowl potential. 

He's a free safety who was always near the football at Notre Dame and reeled in seven interceptions during the 2010 season. 

Smith uses his supreme athleticism to find the ball after quickly diagnosing the play following the snap and is a good but not thumping tackler.

This Fighting Irish star would be ideal in a zone-heavy scheme that would allow him to roam in centerfield to track the football when it's thrown down the field. 

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