Summary

Cody Barton was selected in the 3rd Round (#88 Overall) in the 2019 Draft out of University of Utah. Barton is a veteran linebacker known for his strong tackling numbers, good awareness in certain coverage situations, and solid contributions on special teams earlier in his career. He has shown flashes of impact—especially when creating turnovers—and brings experience and leadership. The 2024 season with the Denver Broncos marked one of his better years, which helped earn him a multi‑year deal with the Titans.

Strengths

• Tackling production & reliability: Barton has amassed a high volume of tackles throughout his career. For example, in 2024 he recorded 69 solo tackles and 39 assists (for a total of 108) placing him among the more‑active linebackers in the league.

• Coverage acumen (relative to his role): He has shown an ability to drop into zone, read routes, and make plays on the ball. For example, during a span in 2022 he had a passer‑rating allowed of 65.8 in his coverage responsibilities, putting him near the top of linebackers in that measurement.

• Big‑play potential / turnover creation: Barton has had key moments where he made big impacts—such as in 2024 with the Broncos: he returned a strip sack for a 52‑yard touchdown in a primetime game, and earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week. NFL Clubs

• Versatility and experience: He has played for multiple teams, been trusted in different schemes, and has contributed on special teams, making him a veteran presence. He arrived in Tennessee as a free agent in 2025 to bring leadership to the inside linebacker spot. Tennessee Titans

• Motor and effort: Reports from college and the pros highlight his hustle, willingness to do the dirty work, and consistency in effort. Last Word On Sports

Weaknesses

• Run‑defense positioning / gap integrity issues: Some scouting reports and advanced metrics suggest that while Barton racks up tackles, many come after the ball‑carrier has already gained yards—meaning his run‑fit and ability to get to the point of attack quickly could improve. SI

• Block‑shedding / physicality limitations: He sometimes struggles to disengage from blockers and has been flagged as needing improvement at shedding blocks and maintaining leverage, which hurts his impact in heavy run‑oriented schemes.

• Top‑end athleticism / elite burst: Despite his upper-echelon athletic testing numbers, Barton does not consistently possess the top tier athletic traits of elite linebackers (e.g., elite lateral quickness, tracking very dynamic athletes) which limits how many mismatches he can win on his own. SI

• Consistency of impact: Although he has made big plays, Barton has not yet elevated into a dominant every‑down linebacker who affects every phase at an elite level. SI

• Coverage limitations in man/edge assignments: While he is effective in zone drops and matching backs/TEs in space, he may struggle when asked to cover quicker athletes in man‑to‑man or when required to change direction quickly in tight quarters.

Fit & Outlook

Cody Barton is best viewed as a solid starting inside linebacker in a defense that plays to his strengths—zone coverage, mixed run/pass responsibilities, and emphasizes sound leverage and tackling from its linebackers. He fits well in schemes where he does not have to be the centerpiece #1 impact guy but rather a reliable second‑level defender with leadership traits. For Barton to take a significant step up, the key will be improving his run‑defender efficiency: reducing yards allowed before the tackle, better block shedding, quicker recognition and increasing his consistency by turning “big‑play moments” into more frequent disruptive plays.