Mark Barron traded to St. Louis Rams for 4th and 6th

We knew the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were getting ready to trade some big names away in the hopes of stockpiling draft picks, and Vincent Jackson and Doug Martin were two big names floating around on the trade rumor mill. Veteran safety Dashon Goldson and his big contract were also floated around in rumors, but the Buccaneers have decided to trade a different safety, and I’m not sure Bucs fans are happy with this decision.

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ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Rams have acquired former first-round pick Mark Barron from the Buccaneers for a fourth and sixth-round pick, giving them a new starting safety, and that’s definitely something they needed. We heard reports circulate today about how the Bucs had interest in trading away Barron, so it isn’t exactly a surprising trade.

I’ll be the first to say that Barron has been a disappointment in his first three seasons in the league, and I’m sure the Bucs couldn’t find any trade partners for Goldson, whose contract is just too much to take on. But at the same time, it just feels like the Buccaneers gave up too easily on Barron, who is only in his third season in the league and has plenty of potential. He hasn’t made as many plays as expected and has struggled plenty in coverage, but the Alabama product was the No. 7 overall pick in 2012 and has excellent tools; he also flashed as a rookie.

This looks like a great deal on paper for the Rams, as they added a high-upside young safety, and I think Barron will do well with a new team. It remains to be seen if he can improve his coverage ability, because that will determine his future value for the Rams organization.