One of the Rams’ more marketable prospective free agents reportedly appears set to be unsigned when the new league year begins Tuesday.
Rams right tackle Joe Barksdale, PFT’s 74th-ranked free agent, is expected to test the market, Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Friday. ESPN’s Nick Wagoner also reported there was a likelihood Barksdale shopped around.
The Rams and Barksdale’s representation have not been able to find a middle ground on a contract, the Post-Dispatch reported.
The 26-year-old Barksdale has started 29 of the last 30 games for St. Louis, including all 16 this season. A 2011 third-round pick of the Raiders, Barksdale (6-5, 326) joined St. Louis in September 2012 after Oakland waived him early in his second season.
Since then, he’s developed into an NFL starter, and he looks ready to entertain other league suitors.
