Mark Barron was a huge name coming out of Alabama in 2012, when the two-time BCS national champion was the seventh overall pick in the NFL Draft.

Since then, he’s flown a bit under the radar on under-performing squads – first with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and then the Rams beginning in 2014.

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The former safety turned linebacker is a versatile player who, when used the right way, is both a formidable pass defender and a tackling machine. According to Pro Football Focus, Barron has outperformed all but two linebackers since Week 5 of 2015 in terms of defensive stops.

Mark Barron appears likely to stay at LB for the Rams. Since Week 5 of '15, only two LBs have registered more defensive stops. pic.twitter.com/fmpe3KHOaa — Pro Football Focus (@PFF) May 15, 2017

Not only has he recorded nearly double the number of defensive stops of an average linebacker, he’s also on par with perennial Pro Bowlers like Luke Kuechly, Sean Lee and Bobby Wagner.

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It’s obvious that he’s best utilized as a linebacker, and that’s exactly what defensive guru Wade Phillips intends to do this season.

Via ESPN.com:

“He’s really instinctive,” Phillips said. “He’s got great speed, and we can utilize his coverage ability at linebacker. It gives you more options as far as things you want to do defensively. If you get a guy like that who can cover people, then we’re going to utilize that.”

Phillips plans to implement a hybrid 3-4 defense that will rely even more on the linebacker position, so the chance for Barron to have a truly breakout, career season is definitely there for the taking.