Former Rams first round defensive tackle retires in 2024

Michael Brockers, a former defensive tackle with the Rams, announced his retirement on Instagram on Wednesday. Although Brockers last participated in six games with the Detroit Lions in 2022, he has officially declared that he will not be making any more appearances. Brockers did not play in any games in 2023.

Among the defensive linemen on the 2012 NFL Draft All-Rookie squad that included Bruce Irvin, Chandler Jones, and Fletcher Cox was Brockers, the 14th overall selection from LSU. After the Rams selected Aaron Donald in the 2014 draft, Brockers’ contributions were both maximized and diminished. He recorded 9.5 sacks in his first two seasons, which was a rather good total at the time.

Prior to Brockers’ 2021 trade to the Lions for a seventh-round pick, the two played together for seven seasons. Although he participated in 16 games that season, he hasn’t been well for the past two.

Due to Jerry Jones’ desire for Morris Claiborne, the Rams traded down with the Cowboys for the sixth overall pick in 2012. After acquiring Trumaine Johnson and Jackrabbit Jenkins on the second draft day, St. Louis was able to rebuild their defense around Donald for the ensuing years. Because he didn’t make a Pro Bowl and wasn’t as effective as other elite defensive tackles, Brockers’ efforts will always be underappreciated, but he was an essential member of the Rams defense when the team turned things around in 2017 and advanced to the Super Bowl the following year. Though many players have discovered that it is simpler to create when playing next to Aaron Donald, it is difficult to distinguish out when compared to Donald.

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