St. Louis offensive tackle Alex Barron started all 16 games last year for the Rams. But the team may be ready to part ways with him.
Barron, who has five years of NFL experience, is set to become a restricted free agent. And Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Rams informed Barron’s agents Sunday night that they will be asking for only second-round draft pick compensation when they turn their tender offers into the league office this week.
Basically, even though the Rams are entitled to get first-round compensation for Barron, they want the rest of the league to know that Barron is available and that they’d be happy to take a second-round draft pick for him.
The Rams expect Jason Smith, last year’s second overall draft pick, to be this year’s starter at left tackle. And rather than play Barron at right tackle, they’d like to look elsewhere for a right tackle, and pick up an extra second-round pick.