(Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA Today Sports)
In a shocking turn of events, the St. Louis Rams decided to be buyers on the day of the NFL trade deadline. The Rams traded with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for safety Mark Barron for the Rams 2015 4th and 6th round picks.
The trade makes some sense because the Rams lost safety Rodney McLeod to an MCL injury in last week’s game. Barron was originally drafted 7th overall in the 2012 draft. Buccaneers were not happy with this production that comes with being drafted with 7th overall pick and decided to deal him to the Rams.
Barron brings some excellent run defense skills to the Rams, who are currently 26th in run defense. This trade caught me by surprise because I did not think that the Rams would be buyers during the NFL trade deadline. I thought that they would be shoppers with rumors of RB Zac Stacy and TE Jared Cook could possibly be on the move.
What this trade tells me is that Mo Alexander, a safety who the Rams drafted in the 4th round of this year’s draft, is not NFL ready. They are not confident in his ability yet. The Rams saw a major setback in last week’s game against Chiefs when they had to start a lot of rookies in the secondary.
This is an overall good trade by the Rams. Barron is only 25 years old, and he was second on the Bucs in tackles with 49 in the first 7 games of this year. He has also tallied three passes defensed and recovered a fumble. He has also played all 37 games with the Bucs over 3 seasons, which is good news for injury riddled team like the Rams. His career totals include 225 tackles, 19 passes defensed and three interceptions. Since coming into the NFL in 2012, Barron is tied for fourth amongst safeties in tackles for loss (8), tied for eighth amongst players at his position in passes defensed and tied for eighth in total tackles amongst safeties. Prior to his arrival in Tampa Bay, Barron was a two-time All-American and three-time All-SEC performer at Alabama. He was a three-year starter for Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide and finished his collegiate career with 12 interceptions. Barron played a key role on Alabama’s defenses that won two National Championships during his tenure.
This trade is low risk because the Rams only had to give up a 4th and 6th round pick. They can see Barron’s production on the field, and they saw something that they liked. I think he gives the secondary an immediate impact. He does a very good job at the run defense when setting up inside the tackle box. Gregg Williams has had more success at turning safeties than linebackers into good run defenders. He is also 6’2,” and plays physical. This is crucial when going against the big WRs in the NFC West. He also does a very job at defending TEs. This will obliviously help the Rams this week as they take on Vernon Davis and the 49ers. He will have little trouble in fitting with the Rams’ secondary. It was a good and shocking move by the Rams.
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