St. Louis Rams: DT Michael Brockers Often Forgotten

When one mentions the St. Louis Rams defense the thought instantly goes to All Pros in Aaron Donald and Robert Quinn along with team leader Chris Long. There is another player on the Rams defensive line, and he is proving to be a huge asset as well in 2015. That player is defensive tackle Michael Brockers.

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The 24 year old Brockers is in his 4th NFL season after being drafted 14th overall by the Rams in 2012. He is yet another high pick along the defensive front, and is on pace for the best season of his young career.

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Through seven games, Brockers has 26 tackles and two sacks. He is on pace to set a career-high in tackles with 59 and high second highest sack total with 4.5. His emergence along the defensive front has helped soften the blow of losing Chris Long with a knee injury for the past two games.

Brokers has been showing a more explosive, disruptive side. His ability to generate pressure up the middle has been a huge part in the Rams defense only allowing 98.1 yards per game on the ground – good for 9th in the league in 2015. A perfect example of this disruptive style was on display in the 1st quarter in the Rams’ Week 8 win over the San Francisco 49ers.

On the 4th play of the game Brockers was lined up in a zero-technique – a spot that puts him directly over the center Marcus Martin.

Off the snap, Brockers explodes forward and creates two-plus yards of penetration almost instantaneously. This forces running back Mike Davis, who is receiving the handoff out of the shotgun, to attempt to bounce back.

Davis ends up with no space to run, but Brockers finishes the play he started by wrapping Davis up and bringing him down for no game. This play often ends with a linebacker filling for the tackle, but Brockers shows the ability to stack and shed the center and collect the tackle.

This emergence has Brockers just one tackle behind Aaron Donald on the season – and Donald was named to the NFL.com midseason All Pro team. Brokers’ 26 tackles, good for 10th on the Rams and 2nd on the defensive line – Ahead of Robert Quinn and Chris Long. This has taken the best defensive line in football, and made it even more dangerous. They now do a better job defending the run while allowing Donald and Quinn to pin their ears back and attack the quarterback.

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With Brockers continuing his emergence as a top interior lineman, it will only help the Rams. They currently sit at 4-3 and are undefeated in the NFC West. His play against the run has allowed them Rams to stop the hard-nosed division, and could play a vital role in getting the Rams back to the playoffs.