The Redskins acquired defensive lineman Adam Carriker from the St. Louis Rams this afternoon by swapping draft picks in the fifth and seventh rounds of this week’s draft.

In addition to getting Carriker, the 13^th-overall pick in 2007, the Redskins got one of St. Louis’ fifth-round picks (No. 163 overall), and a seventh-round pick (No. 208 overall).

Washington dealt the Rams its fifth- (No. 135) and seventh-round picks (No. 211 overall).

Ultimately, the Redskins paid a low price to get a player once believed to be a quality defensive end prospect. Carriker, 25, fell out of favor with the Rams after missing all of 2009 while recovering from surgery to repair a torn shoulder muscle.

While Jim Haslett was the Rams’ defensive coordinator and interim head coach in 2007-08, Carriker started 25 of 31 games as a defensive tackle. He has 53 career tackles and two career sacks.

It’s probably too early to say which position he’ll play in Washington, but he could play tackle or the 5-technique (defensive end) in Washington’s new 3-4 front.

“Adam is a guy who our staff is very familiar with,” coach Mike Shanahan said in a statement released by the team. “He is talented and has an incredible work ethic,” “We feel he will fit in our scheme and will help us reach our defensive goals.”

The Redskins have acquired three defensive linemen in the last week, while insisting that they are not looking to trade disgruntled defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.