NFL Draft 2012: Alabama’s Dont’a Hightower rising in eyes of scouts, GMs; Safety Mark Barron hottest name on the board & more draft news

Pro Football Weekly’s Nolan Nawrocki and Adam Anshell talk about Alabama’s Dont’a Hightower’s rising status in the draft.

According to Nawrocki, “teams that worked him out privately, now consider him a Top 15 pick…it would be a surprise to see him get out of the Top 20.”

Alabama senior safety Mark Barron is considered the top safety in the draft, according to PFW. Teams in need of a safety have confidence in Barron.

“If there is a prospect that teams are going to trade up for, it is the safety,” Nawrocki said.

This could mean a team below the Dallas Cowboys trade up to snag Barron before Jerry Jones can select him.

Falling in the draft chatter are offensive tackles and guards, according to PFW. This includes USC’s Matt Kalil and David DeCastro of Stanford and Peter Konz of Wisconsin.

One running back who could surge into the first round is Doug Martin of Boise State, according to PFW. Alabama running back Trent Richardson is expected to go in the top of this year’s NFL Draft.