In Sports Illustrated's latest 2012 NFL Mock Draft, Don Banks projects that the New York Jets will use the 16th pick to select Mark Barron, a safety from Alabama.
Versatile safeties are integral to quality defenses these days, and the Jets won't be able to pass on Barron, the highest-ranked player at his position. Notre Dame receiver Michael Floyd is another possibility, but New York knows it can't assume the newly acquired and oft-injured LaRon Landry will be ready to play 16 games this season.
The Jets were thin at safety in 2011 and have already shown the need to beef up their secondary, signing Landry in free agency. Barron is described by Mocking The Draft as "far and away the best safety in the 2012 NFL Draft." He is considered ready to step in and contribute right away, and someone who can impact a defense in several manners.
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