A player is usually held to extremely high standards whenever they are taken in the first round of the NFL Draft. Nonetheless, this makes sense because first-round selections are held for the incoming prospects who have the most chance of having an influence on the league.
The Rams, who were still based in St. Louis, made the decision to select former LSU defensive end Michael Brockers with their 14th overall first-round pick in 2012.
After 11 years in the NFL, Michael Brockers has announced his retirement. The former defensive tackle for the Rams and Detroit Lions shared the news in a recent post on his personal Instagram account.
Brockers made an immediate impact in his first season with the Rams, significantly improving the team’s defensive line. With his help, the Rams’ run defense improved dramatically, rising from 31st in the NFL in 2011 to 15th in 2012.
In his debut year with the Rams, Brockers recorded 31 tackles (seven for a loss), four sacks, and one forced fumble in 13 games. He continued to excel in 2013, finishing with 46 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and another forced fumble.
After his first two seasons, Brockers appeared to be on track to meet the high expectations set for him when he was selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
Brockers may not have become one of the league’s superstars, but his career with the Rams and Lions was commendable.
In seven of his 11 NFL seasons, he played in at least 16 games. Between 2017 and 2021, he consistently recorded at least 50 tackles and one sack each year. He was a reliable component of a Rams defense loaded with playmakers like Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey, Marcus Peters, Robert Quinn, and Leonard Floyd.
Brockers’ final NFL appearance was in Week 11 of the 2022 season, where he played 12 defensive snaps for the Lions. After the 2022 season ended, Detroit released him.
A few months later, Brockers had a workout with the Tennessee Titans, but it did not lead to a contract.
At 33, instead of continuing to pursue opportunities in the NFL, Brockers has decided to retire, concluding a very respectable career.