The Lowdown on Cody Barton

You can’t keep them all and today Washington FA LB Cole Holcomb has transferred his above average abilities to Pittsburgh.

Might the Commanders have landed a ready-made replacement in former Seahawk Cody Barton who was acquired yesterday on a one-year deal?

Here at UKHTTC, Christian, posed a few questions to Seattle aficionado Dry who offers some insight on the new addition in D.C.

Dry, looking at the number of games played, Cody Barton, whilst no Bobby Wagner, might have been a guy that Seattle wanted to keep around?

Honestly, they spoke about letting him hit the open market because they’d rather bring Jordyn Brooks back as he is more consistent overall. Last season the Seahawks got the best out of Cody, but also I think letting him hit the market is because they drafted Brooks as a first rounder compared to Barton who was a later round pick.

The LB position, despite the first-round pick of Jamin Davis, has not been a dependable unit in Washington. Would you view Cody as a starting LB or a rotational guy?

I’d say Cody can start now.

Barton showed us Seahawks fans last season that he has some hiccups & ways to go, but he also had more flashes than mistakes and was a top grappling tackler which you need LBs to be.

He can zone in, make good reads & plays and his IQ I think will jump especially behind the Commanders DL so I’d say, yes, he could be a starter for the burgundy & gold.

Is he a Special Teams guy and let us know if he is quick!

He is a special teams guy as well.

Cody always played KR /PR and always managed to be in mix for tackle let alone first downhill.

He is quick not fast there’s a difference I know y’all understand that part at an angle he can provide play making but downfield runner that is not him, so crossing routes and fly really anything that has to pick up speed would be a weakness. But that being said his IQ and awareness is his strength.

What is a good match-up for Barton and where might he be a little short right now?

FBs and TEs who aren’t fast but just athletic is OK. However, Cody against Darren Waller is a terrible matchup as speed and athleticism will hurt him (TEs who can get over top are not a good match!).

Barton is a nose grinder, and he is overall athletic, but not fast. He will make plays where you think he looks the part as he is a hitter he will try to throw everything at you so that’s a good thing too.

NFL comparison player past or current?

Leighton Vander Esch from the Dallas Cowboys resembles Barton, and I’d say from the past A. J. Hawk.

Hawk wasn’t fast, but he had IQ of making plays like KJ Wright. IQ and knowing where to be is a positive for Cody Barton.

Summary

I think Cody could be a Pro Bowl 3rd team alternative I know that doesn’t say much but to have 136 tackles in his first full season starting tells me he might have a decent future at LB.

I would not, however, put all my peas in the pot on him because there is better talent in the NFL, but Barton might well be a straight replacement for Holcomb.