Michael Brockers was a largely unknown player coming into the year, as the redshirt sophomore started just one game last year for LSU. But after Drake Nevis left for the draft, a whole was opened along the defensive line for the ball of talent that is Brockers.
In high school, Brockers looked like more of a small forward, as he stood 6-foot-6 and weighed in at just 255 pounds. He was well regarded by scouting services, but not seen to be elite. Ranked among the top ten defensive ends in the nation, Brockers left his home state of Texas to join Les Miles and the Tigers.
But he is now weighing in at more than 300 pounds, and he has shown the ability to put on muscle in just a few years. In order to be an elite defensive tackle, the position that he projects to play at the next level, he will need to continue to put on weight to battle with the mauling interior linemen that occupy the league.
It shocked many in the football world when Brockers declared for the draft. It was not a question of his ability, but with just one year of starting under his belt, few expected to see Brockers make the jump. But with a relatively weak class of interior defensive linemen, he made the jump and could work his way into the top-10 with an impressive combine.
Defensive tackles tend to be shorter and stockier, but with the type of athletes that are moving to the middle of the line, it is hard to pass them up. The Giants have shown the entire league this year that elite defensive linemen should be able to move along the line with ease and attack all parts of the offensive line. Brockers can play both the end and the tackle position, which makes him that much more valuable. This versatility is also inviting scouts to cast him a number of different roles, helping to build his pre-draft buzz.
@WesBunting: Think #LSU DT Michael Brockers has a lot of upside inside, but real value could be as a play making 5-tech…more upside than JJ Watt IMO
While the combine process may seen comical and ridiculous to many observers, certain aspects of it are of keen interest when relating to defensive linemen. The wingspan of a player is something usually reserved for basketball players, but if a linemen has the long limbs needed to tip balls, then he is that much more valuable. This is another part of the game that Brockers excels at.
Standing 6-foot-6 is a rarity amongst linemen, but as Julius Peppers (6’7″), Calais Campbell (6’8″) and Jason Pierre-Paul (6’5″) have taught us, athletic freaks are often best suited to chase down the quarterback. Brockers does not have the monstrous edge-rushing burst that Peppers and JPP do, but his ability to fill gaps in the middle forces QBs out of their comfort zone, and shoves runners to the outside where pursuing backers and ends can track down the back.
But drafting a high ceiling player with limited college experience does not come without risks. He is still growing into his body, so he may struggle to adapt to the speed of the pro game once he adds another ten pounds. While he did play against elite talent every week in the SEC, he was able to rely on his superior athleticism to dominate opposing players. He must now become a master of technique and learn how to shed blockers and fill gaps against the best of the best.
Brockers just turned 21, so he has plenty of time to develop. He will likely put fellow defensive tackles Devon Still and Brandon Thompson to shame at the combine in terms of measurables, so expect a few teams to start drooling at the prospect of him anchoring their line for the next decade. But Still is a more seasoned college player and has a known track record. It will come down to a team that is willing to take a risk with a high pick and hope that he pans out.
He has quick feet and long arms, but he has to continue to work on the finer points of his game if he wishes to emerge into a legitimate pro player. Expect someone to fall in love with the numbers on the paper and take him in the top end of the first round.
Video: Watch Brockers (90) attack a Georgia offensive line led by top-twenty OL prospect Cordy Glenn (71).
http://youtube.com/watch?v=DQp5lx-hdCM?wmode=Opaque
