Deal for Rams: First, I want to start by saying that there are several things about this deal I really like. First, instead of just discarding disappointing players by cutting them or trading them for late round picks, both teams here actually tried to get something tangible out of their disappointing former first rounders. I like veteran for veteran trades. I don’t know why they don’t happen more often. Second, and somewhat related, this is really a no risk deal for both sides. Neither of the players swapped were really doing anything productive for their respective teams, but who knows, maybe in a new scheme, they’ll rediscover their talent. It’s unlikely, but not impossible and it’s certainly better than keeping some guy who is already proven failed.

Barron was a 2005 1^st round pick of the Rams, 19^th overall, as a super athletic (6-8 318 4.87) left tackle out of Florida State. However, recent years have shown us that he was overdrafted on measurables, as he never lived up to his expectations. He has 58 starts in his career, but he hasn’t been a good pass protector, especially in the past 2 years, leading the NFL in penalties this year and being among the leaders in sacks allowed in each of the past 2 years. Barron became very dispensible, with 2010 2^nd round pick Roger Saffold coming in to play opposite 2009 1^st round pick Jason Smith (no word yet on who plays where, though I expect Smith to, at least in the beginning of the season, play left tackle). Bobby Carpenter doesn’t fill a need for the Rams. They needed a weakside linebacker and are already pretty set at middle and strong side, which are Carpenter’s two positions, but he’s worth a risk here.

Grade: B

Deal for Cowboys:

Carpenter is a 2006 1^st round pick, 18^th overall, out of Ohio State. However, he never really quite fit the Cowboys 3-4 defense and only managed 96 tackles and 3.5 sacks in his 4 year stint in Dallas. With 2010 2^nd round pick Sean Lee coming in, Carpenter became relatively useless to the Cowboys. Barron has never been anything resembling a dominant offensive tackle in his career, but it’s a new scheme and a new start and there’s a slight chance that he fufills his upside. Barron will likely backup Doug Free at left tackle, and can play some right tackle, but if he progresses well in camp, I could see him winning that job away from the inexperienced Free. I like the general idea of the trade, but I like it more for the Cowboys as they traded someone useless for someone useful, while the Rams pretty much swapped busts who didn’t fill needs.

Grade: A