NFP: Just how good is LSU DT Michael Brockers?

[cowboyjoe]

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Just-how-good-is-LSU-DT-Michael-Brockers.html
We breakdown the hotly debated underclassman. Wes Bunting

DL Michael Brockers: Louisiana State (6-6, 306)

ICONBrockers is an intriguing physical specimen.

Came to LSU as a 6-6, 255-pound strong side linebacker recruit. Has added significant weight since than and really filled out his thick, broad frame. Displays impressive lower body strength through his lower half, with a thick set of legs and strong bubble. Possesses natural bend when asked to sit into his stance for his size and generates an explosive snap off the football. Plays the run game about as well as any 6-6 prospect I have seen inside. Is able to keep his pad level down, gain leverage and sit into his stance. Showcases the ability to anchor vs. the double team as well, despite his size and is a bear to move off the football. Would like to see him do a more consistent job extending his arms into contact. However, has the length and upper body strength to extend through contact, overpower/shed the block and make plays off his frame. Is a solid athlete off his frame, but is better in tighter areas where he can use his length to wrap on contact. However, when he does extend his arms off the snap showcases the burst and athleticism to create a jolt and slip his man, allowing him to get into the backfield. Exhibits "plus" ball awareness and overall instincts for the game as well. Routinely is able to sniff out the screen game, locate the ball inside and make his way toward the carrier.

Now, is still developing as a pass rusher. Showcases a good get off burst and when he keeps his pad level down has the ability to gain leverage, extend his arms and use his long arms to shed. Showcases some nasty with his length in order to keep himself clean and shed. Also displays some natural body control and suddenness off the snap in order to slip blocks initially and get up the field. However, too often allows his pad level to get upright initially when trying to slip blocks on contact and through the play. He's so naturally

[jnday]

If Brockers had the pass rushing skills , I wouldn't mind him at 14 . It would be too big of a gamble to hope that these skills develope .

[Tex]

Some are picking him in the top 10 to 15. Without the pass rush skills I just cant see taking him there. He is all potential. 2'nd or 3'rd is where you take a flyer on a guy like this not top 15. A top 15 pick needs to be as sure a thing as you can get in this draft. And this guy just isnt it. He was a good player ona very good defense. If he can only get 2 sacks last year in that situation thats not a guy I would be betting the farm is going to come in to the NFL and get 8 to 10 sacks a year anytime soon. Next year the two or three WORST tackles he will face as a 3-4 DE would of been all conference where he just played. We dont need another Run Clogging DE. We have a full shelf of those guys. If we take a DE or OLB at 14 he damn well better be able to come in and get pressure right away in rotation at least.

He is a project you take a flyer on and hope he pans out. He has a HUGE ceiling. But is also a pretty big risk if you want a pressure guy. But can just as easily be a JAG. For the love of gawd I just cant see this guy at 14. But I am praying some other GM falls in love with "potential" and wastes a top pick so that another guy gets pushed farther down to us maybe.

Ya know I very much see the potential to be a Chris Canty type guy. And he was a great pickup. But he didnt get nailed with the 14'th pick in the first either.

This is a 6-5 305 lb DT that can hopefully be a 3-4 DE. Mostly a power not a speed guy. Expected to run a 4.9 that got 2 sacks last year on a top defense so he was not the only guy they could key on to block etc... He is about the same size as Markus Spears. We dont need another Spears. Crap I would rather have the 350 lb NT (Poe or whatever his name is) at 14 then this guy. At least we dont have a couple 350 lb NT's already on the roster. If I want to take a flyer on a guy and hope he develops then give me a 350 lb NT please.

Tex

[JerryFan]

Some are picking him in the top 10 to 15. Without the pass rush skills I just cant see taking him there. He is all potential. 2'nd or 3'rd is where you take a flyer on a guy like this not top 15. A top 15 pick needs to be as sure a thing as you can get in this draft. And this guy just isnt it. He was a good player ona very good defense. If he can only get 2 sacks last year in that situation thats not a guy I would be betting the farm is going to come in to the NFL and get 8 to 10 sacks a year anytime soon. Next year the two or three WORST tackles he will face as a 3-4 DE would of been all conference where he just played. We dont need another Run Clogging DE. We have a full shelf of those guys. If we take a DE or OLB at 14 he damn well better be able to come in and get pressure right away in rotation at least.

He is a project you take a flyer on and hope he pans out. He has a HUGE ceiling. But is also a pretty big risk if you want a pressure guy. But can just as easily be a JAG. For the love of gawd I just cant see this guy at 14. But I am praying some other GM falls in love with "potential" and wastes a top pick so that another guy gets pushed farther down to us maybe.

Ya know I very much see the potential to be a Chris Canty type guy. And he was a great pickup. But he didnt get nailed with the 14'th pick in the first either.

This is a 6-5 305 lb DT that can hopefully be a 3-4 DE. Mostly a power not a speed guy. Expected to run a 4.9 that got 2 sacks last year on a top defense so he was not the only guy they could key on to block etc... He is about the same size as Markus Spears. We dont need another Spears. Crap I would rather have the 350 lb NT (Poe or whatever his name is) at 14 then this guy. At least we dont have a couple 350 lb NT's already on the roster. If I want to take a flyer on a guy and hope he develops then give me a 350 lb NT please.

Tex

what killed Canty is he had a detached retina from a bar fight and maybe a torn ACL. i know he had a detached retina from a fight and people had no idea if he would actually recover from that or not. Thats why we got Canty so low in the draft.

[Sam I Am]

I think Marcus Spears is a better player than Brockers will end up being. I think if Brockers turns into a Marcus Spears he did well for himself.

[Tex]

I think Marcus Spears is a better player than Brockers will end up being. I think if Brockers turns into a Marcus Spears he did well for himself.

I agree. Last time I made that comparison though everyone railed that I only said it because of the school they attended. No so at all. Same size and description to me. Except Spears actually accomplished more in college.

I just see brockers as the same type of guy if he achieves his potential. He shows nothing about being a dominant pressure guy. They tend to be a lot faster then this Brockers kid. If he runs a friggin 4.7 I would get excited about potential. At 4.9 I just dont get the hype. I think he could well get heavier and slower. He is 306 or something and 20 years old. He could easily add 14 to 20 lbs and be a 430 lb 5.1 40 guy too. Maybe in 2 or 3 years he will be a great 430+ lb NT if ya feed him lots of bisquits. But I dont want him at DE. If anything I would lean to drafting a fast 285 lb DE to try and rotate in to get pressure. We have plenty of 305 pounders that can't.

I just think he has just as much a chance to be a JAG as a force in this league. In the first round your looking for guys you feel confident will be a hit. At 14 if he is a JAG you missed big time and we cant afford that.

Tex

[cbow44]

I think what the scouts are telling us, is that he has the physical skills to be very good. I dont know anything about his heart or desire. If our scouts decide he has the skills plus the heart and desire to be great (a Garrett guy). The I'm fine with him at 14. If he dosent have those qualities then no, leave him alone.

[jnday]

I think what the scouts are telling us, is that he has the physical skills to be very good. I dont know anything about his heart or desire. If our scouts decide he has the skills plus the heart and desire to be great (a Garrett guy). The I'm fine with him at 14. If he dosent have those qualities then no, leave him alone.

Do you take a chance that he can use those skills in the pass rush ? He hasn't shown that he will . That is my concern . It's not worth the risk IMO .

[cbow44]

Do you take a chance that he can use those skills in the pass rush ? He hasn't shown that he will . That is my concern . It's not worth the risk IMO .

you take a CHANCE on anybody you draft. Thats one of the reasons its so much fun and why we enjoy the debate so much. Someone said he was 20 years old, if thats true then you cant point to him and say "this is all he will ever be". And like I said if he goes to the combine and blows it up like J.J. Watt did last year. and in the meetings convinces the coaches that his goal is to be the best. then I dont have a problem with him. this dosent mean he is the guy I want at 14, just another option. My guy is Kirkpatrick, right now. But if he runs a 4.5 or slower like some are predicting, then someone else will have to move up.

[jnday]

you take a CHANCE on anybody you draft. Thats one of the reasons its so much fun and why we enjoy the debate so much. Someone said he was 20 years old, if thats true then you cant point to him and say "this is all he will ever be". And like I said if he goes to the combine and blows it up like J.J. Watt did last year. and in the meetings convinces the coaches that his goal is to be the best. then I dont have a problem with him. this dosent mean he is the guy I want at 14, just another option. My guy is Kirkpatrick, right now. But if he runs a 4.5 or slower like some are predicting, then someone else will have to move up.

I agree , any pick is a risk . My point is that the team needs to draft players that offer very little risk in the first round . Brockers is more of a risk than I would be willing to take . I still rate DeCastro as a very safe pick if he is still on the board .