As Buccaneers coach Lovie Smith tries to remake the defensive roster into a unit that will better employ his preferred defense, they’ve moved on from one of the safeties acquired by the prior Tampa regime.
Per a league source, Mark Barron has been shipped to the Rams. The former Alabama standout was picked seventh overall by the Bucs in 2012. At the Jimmy Graham franchise tag grievance hearing, former Bucs assistant Butch Davis testified that Barron was drafted specifically because of Graham.
Barron, a strong safety, started 16 games as a rookie, 14 in 2013, and all seven in 2014.
The Rams inherit Barron’s rookie contract, with runs through 2015 but which carries an option for 2016. To extend the deal, the Rams will have to agree to pay Barron in 2016 the average of the 10 highest-paid safeties in 2015.
He’ll make the remainder of his $1.7 million salary this year. Next year, Barron’s pay bumps to $2.3 million.