St. Louis acquired linebacker Rodrigo Barnes from Miami for a…
St. Louis acquired linebacker Rodrigo Barnes from Miami for a 1976 twelfth-round choice. Barnes did not become a lasting Cardinals contributor and later appeared in five games for Oakland that season. With little realized value on the St. Louis side, the deal offered only a short-lived attempt to add veteran defensive help.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- player Rodrigo Barnes
Miami Dolphins Received
- pick 1976 twelfth round pick (#342-Darryl Brandford)
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Miami sent linebacker Rodrigo Barnes to St. Louis on April 6, 1976, for a twelfth-round draft choice. Dolphins historical material and transaction records agree on the basic exchange, although surviving draft references differ on whether Darryl Brandford should be listed at overall No. 341 or No. 342. The safer conclusion is that Miami used the acquired twelfth-round choice on Brandford.
What St. Louis Received
Barnes brought NFL experience, but the Cardinals did not turn the acquisition into meaningful long-term production. His 1976 trail ultimately led to Oakland, where the Raiders' historical roster credits him with five appearances. That limited return makes it difficult to assign much positive value to St. Louis beyond the reasonable idea of taking a low-cost chance on a veteran linebacker.
What Miami Received
Miami converted Barnes into a late draft asset and selected Brandford. The pick itself was a sensible way to recover value from a player the Dolphins were willing to move, but Brandford did not establish an NFL regular-season career. Because the precise overall number is inconsistent across durable references, the evaluation rests on the supported twelfth-round selection rather than a disputed numerical label.
Why the Value Landed Here
Neither club generated a durable contributor from the exchange. St. Louis received a veteran who was gone quickly, while Miami received a late pick that did not create meaningful on-field value. The transaction was modest enough that neither side paid a damaging price, but there is also no strong football result that separates the two organizations.
Final Verdict
Both teams receive C- grades. St. Louis did not secure lasting production from Barnes, and Miami's twelfth-round return did not become an NFL contributor. With minimal realized value on either side and a small acquisition cost, the most supportable result is an even trade.