It makes no sense to bring in guys like this when we already have Chung and Ihedigbo. They're all the same type of player, a SS who is weak in coverage but good in the box. Steve Gregory is also a hybrid FS/SS type. No need to spend cap space on third/fourth string safety.
Bell would've been an upgrade three years ago. These guys are just names
Comeback,
Ihedigbo=Free Agent still on the market. We do not have him.
Our Safeties are:
Chung, Greggory, Josh Barrett, Sergio Brown and Ross Vetrone.
The talent is underwhelming at least after Chung and Greggory.
There is one caveat that none of us are considering. Barrett has been hurt almost every year for his NFL 3 year career. Why would BB pay a million per year for this kid? Does he have dirty pictures on BB or does BB feel this kid has a future. He started three games and had mixed results.
This years Safety class
Rots. Does he feel Barrett is turning the corner? At $1m certainly an easy cut to gain some CAP room if he is "Sergio-like". Barron has been hidden by Saban if you try to find game film of his coverage ability. Alshon Jeffrey made him look very bad in coverage. But that is what Jeffrey does without a QB and against numerous first round CBs in this Draft and would be a mistake to not consider him at least near Blackmon and Floyd, but that's another story for another day.
I think that Smith has shown more in coverage, some good , some bad, but find tape on Barron in actual man coverage. The "experts" have expressed concern. They are assuming he will be alright. So he definitely/maybe will be able to cover an NFL TE down the seam. Would I gamble? Probably. Would I trade down? No, not unless Saban has sold a bill of goods to BB. How would you like to play those two guys in Liars Poker?
My point is perhaps a $1m investment in Barrett will point BB at other needs like a pass rusher, let things work out on Barrett or not and grab Bell or Crocker as cheap insurance. No one can look at Sergio Brown of Vetrone seriously as anything other than ST, can they?
I am more likely to look at a Smith in middle of round two at #48. If he goes before that, it might be too high. If he's gone I want the absolute best Safety in this Draft class at #48 who could change the Safety game in the NFL if you sit down and watch his tape:
Zack Brown, whom I have put out there in other Threads.
(Most excerpts from Rob Rang):
He is only beginning to learn how to maximize his exceptional ability on a football field, but Brown is fast and fascinating.
He has CB speed and skills.
He has an abundance of one natural ability that can't be taught -- speed. Brown officially set a school record in track with an indoor 60-meter time of 6.72 seconds in 2009. He checked in at the Combine with an unofficial best of 4.44 seconds in the 40 and actually seemed off stride in the middle of the run. He added a vertical jump of 33.5 inches.
His raw athleticism is tantalizing, but he lacks the instincts to be a great linebacker (THEN HE SHOULD BE A SAFETY!)and may need to add even more bulk than the additional six pounds he put on for the Combine since the season
(GO BACK TO 225-230LBS TO PLAY THE S POSITION). Meantime, at the very least, he
can be a terror on special teams, same as he was in college.
Analysis
Read & React: Still a work in progress in this area, though he showed improvement as the 2010 season wore on. Takes a false-step on occasion, but is an alert player whose rare speed puts him in position to make the play.
Reacts quickly in pass coverage once the ball is thrown. Hustles to the ball.
Work in progress by good play-action, but has the flexibility and straight-line speed to recover.
Gains good depth on his drops when in obvious passing situations. Keeps his head on a swivel and shows some feel for zone coverage.
Reads the quarterback's eyes and can plant and break on the ball. At least average ball-skills for the position and has the athleticism to be a threat with the ball in his hands on a return (see INT return against Tennessee in the Music City Bowl).
Has the physical skills to eventually excel in this area.
Pass Rush/Blitz: Very raw in this area. Possesses the explosive athleticism you can't coach, but relies almost exclusively on his speed and agility to elude blockers, including running backs. Doesn't show much in terms of pass rush technique.
Intangibles: Two-sport athlete who also participates in track for North Carolina. Set the school record in the indoor 60-meter dash with a 6.72 time in 2009.
Unofficially clocked at 4.28 seconds by UNC coaches during off-season conditioning in 2009. Was named a
special teams captain in 2010 for earning the most points in Carolina's scoring system.
2011 Season
Brown earned first-team All-ACC honors and was a Butkus Award semifinalist in 2011 after leading the Tar Heels with 105 tackles. He also posted 13.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, three interceptions, three forced fumbles and four pass breakups. Brown closed out his career with a season-high 14 tackles in North Carolina's bowl game against Missouri--his fifth double-digit tackle game of the year. He totaled 230 career tackles, including 19 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, seven interceptions, four pass breakups and three forced fumbles.
Others praise Brown for his blanket coverage including thoes WR in the slot, awareness and ball skills. Tackling was not the best for an OLB in technique but at 105 of them in 2011 it was super for a Safety.
He is one of the fastest players to ever come into the NFL and 6'1" and about 235lbs. Can you see him on numerous Safety blitzes like Harrison?
If you compare his stats to Barron, Brown is the better Safety product. He was used wrong because he has those superb OLB intangibles but look how
BB played OLB Roman Pfifer as a Safety. He has many snaps for Bill. He was very underrated here. Zack Brown has the ability to change the Safety game like LT changed the LB game.
This could be another new BB toy that would have others follow like the new TE game.
DW Toys
) attempt to make an NFL team. And believe me I did NOT have "blazing speed". 
