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Michael Brockers trade rumor? Let's start at the beginning:
Hearing that Rams DT Michael Brockers wants a long-term deal, could get moved. Multiple teams possibly involved, Lions, Cowboys, Texans.
— Scott Bischoff (@Bischoff_Scott) April 28, 2015
Hot rumor or pre-draft smoke?: #Bears and #Rams talking swap of draft picks plus Michael Brockers...?
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) April 28, 2015
Ok, well it's left fieldian for sure, but two sources on the same player...
Just two days ago the Rams locked up Brockers for 2016 by exercising his fifth-year option on his rookie deal. Could they really ship him out within the week as part of a draft day deal?
Why It Makes Sense
As Bischoff clarified in a further tweet:
Part of the deal with Brockers is that he's 24, could sign a 5-6 year deal and get another FA deal as a 29- or 30-year old.
— Scott Bischoff (@Bischoff_Scott) April 28, 2015
The CBA made free agency speculation on secondary deal crucial for players who are going to be in the league beyond their rookie contracts or year-to-year clinger deals. So eyeing his next contract (whether that's him eyeing it or his reps...) isn't all that reprehensible. From the Rams standpoint, it's certainly a position of strength. The Rams hit big time on Aaron Donald in the 2014 NFL Draft, and picking up Nick Fairley in free agency certainly gives them an out. Moving Brockers and picking up some additional draft capital, potentially moving up to 7th overall from the Bears who have also been mentioned, would allow the Rams to strengthen another position and improve the team in ways Brockers cannot. And if Brock is dedicated to securing a long-term deal which the Rams are unwilling to provide, they can at least get something for him instead of letting him walk for free.
Why It Doesn't Make Sense
Jeff Fisher getting rid of talented defensive linemen?! Pshaw. And for a team that's built around promising youth, abandoning an embodiment of it after just three years of productive, healthy football doesn't seem like a brick on the path to success. Has Michael Brockers as the 14th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft made good on that value when Aaron Donald's career is off to a much more productive start in one year after being selected with the 13th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft? Maybe not. But not all drafts are equal. And not all players are equal. Donald's not asked to do what Brockers is. If the Rams aren't comfortable with the fill-in options, shedding Brock doesn't make sense at all.
Likelihood: 4/10
Casting a wide net with multiple teams brings this up from about a 2.5 for me, but it's still relatively unlikely. The real key would be draft compensation. If one of those teams is unusually thirsty for Brockers, the Rams may have to say yes on the terms alone regardless of how highly they value Brockers individually.