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The St. Louis Rams selected LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers with the No. 14 pick in the 1st round of the 2012 NFL Draft. By now, you know that. Opinions on the Brockers pick range from excitement to disappointment, for some odd reason. The analytical gurus over at Pro Football Focus weighed in on the Rams' 1st-round pick over the weekend. They liked it.
Why?
The same reason anybody would like the pick: it strengthens the team's defensive line.
Here's what Sam Monson at PFF had to say about the pick:
If ever a defense was in need of some talent across the board it was the Rams last season. Despite a few impressive players, they were in major need of an influx of talent and Michael Brockers is a big body that should be able to cause problems inside for the opposition. I can't think of too many players that can carry 320lbs the way Brockers does, and at 6-foot-6 he brings ideal measurable to the position. The Rams had some reasonable performances at DT last year, but nobody that was capable of taking over games. They're hoping that just changed.
Brockers will share an office space with Kendall Langford, the former Dolphins defensive tackle signed as a free agent in March. Together, they form a strong duo that can cast aside centers and guards. Langford has a track record as a run stopper. Brockers has the strength and skills to do that from day one.
The Rams had a decent defensive line last season, a unit capable of pressuring quarterbacks. The moves made this offseason to beef up the middle will make it the team's strongest unit.