Pittsburgh Steelers sign Mark Barron: Grade, reaction and more

LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 28: Mark Barron #26 of the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)

The Pittsburgh Steelers added an interesting piece to their defense in veteran Mark Barron. But what role will he play in the team’s defense this season?

While the Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t broken the bank this offseason when it comes to veteran additions, they have added some interesting performers. The club signed former Kansas City Chiefs’ cornerback Steve Nelson and also added wide receiver, Donte Moncrief. The latter suited up for the Jacksonville Jaguars ij 2018 after beginning his career with the Indianapolis Colts.

Now general manager Kevin Colbert has dipped into free agency again and added a former member of the defending NFC champions’ defense. The Los Angeles Rams parted ways with linebacker Mark Barron after the season. He now joins a Steelers’ defense that was sixth in the NFL in fewest total yards and rushing yards allowed and was 10th vs. the pass. But it was a unit that hardly looked that part too many times this past season. So can Barron make a “mark” on this group?

Contract Details

Via the always-busy Adam Schefter, the seven-year defender will receive a two-year, $12 million deal from the Black and Gold.

National Reaction

LB Mark Barron gives Steelers a versatile option over the middle. Barron signs two-year, $12-million deal w/ Pittsburgh, per @AdamSchefter. The 230-pound Barron, 29, transitioned from S/LB and should be able to handle base and dime defensive duties, depending on what team asks.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 17, 2019

Mark Barron is a better signing than Houston. Everyone wanted a solid guy in the middle who can cover. We got him. I love the random shade being thrown at a guy who has been above average and played several spots his whole career. Most definitely better than Burnett

— JR🦁 (@J_R_607) March 17, 2019

Mark Barron isn’t good but he’s better than all current options. Obviously not the solution, like Moncrief, but you just want to have flexibility for the draft

— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) March 17, 2019

Basically, it’s gonna cost Steelers a couple million to replace Morgan Burnett with Mark Barron over the next 2 years. Burnett asked out after last year’s lack of playing time following return from injury. Hard to imagine they don’t grant Burnett his wish after Barron’s signing

— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) March 17, 2019

The seventh overall pick in the 2012 was a physical force at the University of Alabama. But Barron has struggled to really find a home in a sense in the NFL. The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ first-round selection in two-plus seasons with the club before being dealt to the Rams in ’14. The strong safety eventually made the transition to linebacker and served that role during the majority of his time with his new team.

So what will Barron’s role be in coordinator Keith Butler’s defense? As an inside linebacker, stopping the run has not been his forte. Can the Steelers put him in position to succeed when it comes to their schemes? It’s only mid-March, but the jury is definitely out on this signing.

Last offseason, Colbert added veterans such as linebacker Jon Bostic and strong safety Morgan Burnett but the team was still very up and down on the defensive side of the ball. It will be interesting to see what role Barron actually winds up playing with a team that has had too many defensive lapses in recent seasons.

This article was originally published by Fansided.com. Read the original article here.