Recent Forum Topics › Forums › The Rams Huddle › Safe bet that Rams pick up Michael Brockers' option
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March 19, 2015 at 4:54 pm #21046
znModeratorSafe bet that Rams pick up Michael Brockers’ option
By Nick Wagoner
EARTH CITY, Mo. — After the St. Louis Rams signed defensive tackle Nick Fairley last week, some wondered what it might mean for Michael Brockers’ future in St. Louis.
The answer? Nothing.
Aside from the fact that Fairley signed just a one-year deal and offers depth at a position where the Rams had none, the Rams clearly view Brockers as part of the plan moving forward. His future in St. Louis remains unclear in terms of what his next contract looks like, but for now it’s a safe bet the Rams will pick up the fifth-year option on Brockers’ contract before the deadline in May. They could then negotiate an extension as they did with defensive end Robert Quinn, but it’s all but certain they aren’t going to allow Brockers to hit free agency after next season.
The Rams originally used the 14th overall pick on Brockers in the 2012 NFL draft after a pair of trade downs with the Washington Redskins and the Dallas Cowboys. At the time, Brockers was one of the youngest players in the draft as he entered the league at just 21. He promptly signed his four-year, $9.522 million contract with the team.
As part of the 2012 draft class, Brockers is also part of the second group to complete the four-year rookie deal under the terms of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. That also makes Brockers part of the second class eligible to have a fifth-year option picked up.
The fifth-year option is still a relatively new concept. It applies only to first-round picks, and is at the sole discretion of the team. The team must make the decision by May 3, but has had the ability to exercise it since Dec. 29.
According to the fifth-year option rules, a player taken in the top 10 gets the same rights and money as a transition player, which is an average of the top 10 players at a position. A player like Brockers, taken betweens Nos. 11 and 32, gets a deal just shy of the transition number, as it averages the salaries of the third through 25th highest paid players at the position.
The exact price for exercising the option on Brockers isn’t known at the moment, but we can use teammate Quinn as a reasonable jumping off point. The Rams exercised their option on Quinn last year for a price that came in at about $6.969 million for defensive linemen. Quinn also plays defensive line and also was once the 14th pick in the draft.
Quinn’s option never materialized despite the Rams exercising it, though. He signed a lucrative six-year contract before the team’s Week 2 meeting against Tampa Bay. Any player that has their option picked up must play under that one-year price, though it’s guaranteed only for injury until the first day of the league year in which the option has been picked up (so 2016 in Brockers’ case).
As for Brockers, he has had his share of ups and downs since arriving in St. Louis. He has flashed occasional brilliance, but also been no more than steady at times. With the emergence of Aaron Donald alongside him, Brockers did seem to settle in nicely to a different role as last season went along.
The Rams asked Brockers to handle more of a nose tackle position, with his primary task to line up over the center and take on multiple blockers to create more favorable matchups for Donald playing the three-technique. That was a departure from the traditional left and right tackle assignments that he had played since arriving in St. Louis.
The result was a career low in sacks (two) and a second-lowest output in tackles (32). Moving Brockers hurt his numbers, but it helped the rest of the defense get rolling over the final half of the season when the Rams went from the bottom of the league in sacks to near the top.
Playing nose tackle is a thankless job that likely won’t bring many eye-popping statistics or much attention, but in Brockers’ case, his efforts aren’t likely to go unnoticed by the Rams.
March 19, 2015 at 5:14 pm #21047
rflParticipantThe Rams asked Brockers to handle more of a nose tackle position, with his primary task to line up over the center and take on multiple blockers to create more favorable matchups for Donald playing the three-technique. That was a departure from the traditional left and right tackle assignments that he had played since arriving in St. Louis.
The result was a career low in sacks (two) and a second-lowest output in tackles (32). Moving Brockers hurt his numbers, but it helped the rest of the defense get rolling over the final half of the season when the Rams went from the bottom of the league in sacks to near the top.
This insightful–by the Rams and by the writer.
Brockers is too often blamed for being what the article refers to (not so insightfully) as “no more than steady.” But that’s his great strength, and it’s a really valuable one. Set an anchor and take on the brunt of the OL firepower to free up other DL to make the splash plays. Last year, I thought B and Donald made a superb TEAM at DT.
I know. You guys all know this. I just wish pundits weren’t so perpetually obsessed with flash.
By virtue of the absurd ...
March 19, 2015 at 5:27 pm #21049znModeratorI know. You guys all know this.
No I (for one) like to hear it articulated. I mean we know you watched games on review, and you have an eye for line play. Hearing about it is a lot of fun. I’m sure it’s not just me either.
April 4, 2015 at 1:46 pm #22112znModeratorThe fifth-year option is still a relatively new concept. It applies only to first-round picks, and is at the sole discretion of the team. The team must make the decision by May 3, but has had the ability to exercise it since Dec. 29.
According to the fifth-year option rules, a player taken in the top 10 gets the same rights and money as a transition player, which is an average of the top 10 players at a position. A player like Brockers, taken betweens Nos. 11 and 32, gets a deal just shy of the transition number, as it averages the salaries of the third through 25th highest paid players at the position.
The exact price for exercising the option on Brockers isn’t known at the moment, but we can use teammate Quinn as a reasonable jumping off point. The Rams exercised their option on Quinn last year for a price that came in at about $6.969 million for defensive linemen. Quinn also plays defensive line and also was once the 14th pick in the draft.
So if they exercise the option on Brockers that’s around 7 M give or take.
As it stands right now, extended deals for starting 4/3 DTs in their 2nd contract are anywhere from 10-20 M. It’s hard to do a precise avg. for this because it’s hard to tell if the Suh contract will be contributing to a general avg. or be treated as a once in a while big exception.
Kyle Wms’s new deal is around 7.6 M or so, but then it’s not a 2nd contract (he was drafted in 2006).
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April 5, 2015 at 11:48 am #22162
TackleDummyParticipantWhile this article was about Brockers, the Rams also have another player, Mark Barron, whom the Rams can pick up the fifth year option. He was drafted #7 the same year Brockers was drafted. He will be due the average of the top 10 safeties if under his fifth year option.
My opinion: The Rams should also pick up Barron’s option. It is guaranteed only in case of injury and would insure that the Rams would control his contract through 2016. That would be a plus if he has as good of season in 2015 as Fisher seems to think he will have.
April 5, 2015 at 11:58 am #22163TackleDummyParticipantSo if they exercise the option on Brockers that’s around 7 M give or take.
As it stands right now, extended deals for starting 4/3 DTs in their 2nd contract are anywhere from 10-20 M. It’s hard to do a precise avg. for this because it’s hard to tell if the Suh contract will be contributing to a general avg. or be treated as a once in a while big exception.
Kyle Wms’s new deal is around 7.6 M or so, but then it’s not a 2nd contract (he was drafted in 2006).
The fifth year option salary for Brockers will be based on the top 3rd through 25th DL salaries from 2014. If, last year, Suh was one of the top two then his salary will not be figured into that average. Nor will any contracts for the 2015 season.
Because there was an increase in salaries from 2013 to 2014 due to the large increase in the cap, I would guess that the fifth year option for Brockers will be close to $7.7M or even more. That would represent a 10% rise.
April 5, 2015 at 12:49 pm #22166znModeratorThe fifth year option salary for Brockers will be based on the top 3rd through 25th DL salaries from 2014. If, last year, Suh was one of the top two then his salary will not be figured into that average. Nor will any contracts for the 2015 season.
Because there was an increase in salaries from 2013 to 2014 due to the large increase in the cap, I would guess that the fifth year option for Brockers will be close to $7.7M or even more. That would represent a 10% rise.
Sounds about right.
Just as a reminder (I know you know this TD)—the 5th year option has to be exercised by May 3 this year.
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April 9, 2015 at 4:06 pm #22397znModeratorJim Thomas @jthom1
While Colts exercise 5th-year option on QB Andrew Luck, Rams have yet to decide whether to do so for DT Michael Brockers and S Mark Barron. Deadline to do so is May 3
April 9, 2015 at 9:46 pm #22409znModeratorTaking a look at fifth-year options for 2012 first-round picks
by Michael David Smith on April 9, 2015
NFL teams are now deciding whether or not to pick up the fifth-year options on 2012 first-round draft picks. Here’s a rundown of where each team stands:
ALREADY PICKED UP
The Colts have announced the obvious, they will pick up the option and pay first overall pick Andrew Luck $16.2 million in 2016.
The Chargers have picked up the $7.8 million option on linebacker Melvin Ingram.
The Steelers have picked up the $8.1 million option on guard David DeCastro.
WILL BE PICKED UP
The Dolphins have made clear that they will pick up the $16.2 million option on quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
The Panthers will certainly pick up the $11.1 million option on linebacker Luke Kuechly.
The Bills will pick up the $11.1 million option on cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
The Chiefs will pick up the $6.1 million option on defensive tackle Dontari Poe.
The Rams will pick up the $6.1 million option on defensive tackle Michael Brockers.
The Seahawks will likely pick up the $7.8 million option on linebacker Bruce Irvin.
The Titans will pick up the $7.3 million option on receiver Kendall Wright.
The Patriots will pick up their options on both of their 2012 first-round picks, a $7.8 million option on defensive end Chandler Jones and a $7.8 million option on linebacker Dont’a Hightower.
The Bengals will pick up the $8.1 million option on guard Kevin Zeitler.
The Vikings will pick up the $5.3 million option on safety Harrison Smith.
CLOSE CALLS
The most interesting decision on the board is whether Washington will pick up the $16.2 million option on Robert Griffin III. Fifth-year options are guaranteed for injury, and given Griffin’s injury history, it seems unlikely that Washington would give him that kind of money with an injury guarantee.
The Vikings will probably pick up the $11.1 million option on left tackle Matt Kalil, although he was a disappointment last season and has had a knee injury, so that won’t be an easy decision.
The Cowboys will probably not pick up the $11.1 million option on cornerback Morris Claiborne, given that injuries have forced him to miss most of the last two seasons.
The Rams have a decision to make on safety Mark Barron, who was drafted by the Buccaneers but has since been traded to St. Louis. Barron probably hasn’t played well enough to justify an $8.3 million option.It’s anyone’s guess what Chip Kelly will decide to do with Fletcher Cox, the Eagles defensive end who would get $7.8 million in 2016 if his option is picked up.
The Bengals seem to like the talent of cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, but they may decide that a $7.5 million option is too much for a player who has started only five games in three seasons.
Cardinals receiver Michael Floyd has played well, but well enough for a $7.3 million salary in 2016?
It’s unclear whether the Jets’ new decision makers see defensive end Quinton Coples as a good fit, so his $7.8 million option is up in the air.
Riley Reiff is the Lions’ starting left tackle, which would seem to make him a good bet to get his $8.1 million option picked up, although the team has said no decision has been made.
The Texans will have a tough time deciding whether to pick up the $7.8 million option on pass rusher Whitney Mercilus. With the likes of J.J. Watt, Vince Wilfork and Jadeveon Clowney in Houston, the Texans may decide that they can’t afford another big salary on the defensive line.
WON’T BE PICKED UP
The Bears aren’t likely to pick up the option on Shea McClellin, who has been a disappointment.
The Packers probably won’t pick up the option on Nick Perry, who has mostly been a backup in his three years in Green Bay.
Doug Martin looked like a star in the making during his rookie year in Tampa, but a lot has changed since then and the new brass doesn’t seem enamored with him. He’s a long shot to have his option picked up.
NO DECISION TO MAKE
Neither of the Browns’ 2012 first-round picks have fifth-year options to pick up: Trent Richardson was traded to the Colts, cut and signed by the Raiders, while Brandon Weeden was cut by the Browns and signed by the Cowboys.
The 49ers’ first-round pick, A.J. Jenkins, was a major disappointment and is now out of the NFL.
The Giants’ first-round pick, David Wilson, retired because of a neck injury.
The Jaguars’ first-round pick, Justin Blackmon had his contract put on hold when he was suspended for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. It’s unclear when or if the Jaguars will get Blackmon back, but it will be at least another year before they would have a fifth-year option decision to make.
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