Rams ship Jason Smith to Jets for Wayne Hunter

The St. Louis Rams are currently in the stages of finalizing a deal with the New York Jets to send offensive tackle, former first round pick, Jason Smith to a team starved for help at right tackle.

Filed to ESPN: #Jets close to finalizing deal for Rams RT Jason Smith, league sources. RT Wayne Hunter part of deal. Smith, No. 2 pick ’09.

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 28, 2012

Smith, once touted as a highly respectable tackle from Baylor in 2009, has since been downgraded to the Rams’ second-team offense and is of virtually no use to the team as his value and playing level regress year in and year out.

The Rams are expected to get right offensive tackle Wayne Hunter in return, who, frankly, has had a very bad and publicly criticized training camp and preseason.

Smith is an immediate upgrade for the Jets, but it is a head scratcher trying to figure out how Hunter will help the Rams, if it all.

Obviously, it is safe to assume that the Rams will be receiving compensation through draft picks from this move, but those terms are yet to be released.

Ramblin’ Fan will keep you updated as details of the story are made available.