Los Angeles Rams DL Michael Brockers being traded to the Detroit Lions, the source says

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01:05 ET

  • Lindsey ThiryESPN

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    • I covered the Rams for two years for the Los Angeles Times
    • He previously covered the Falcons
    • He covered NBA football and basketball and college

THOUSAND OAKS, California – The Los Angeles Rams complete the deal to send defensive line veteran Michael Brockers to the Detroit Lions, an ESPN confirmed source.

The NFL Network first reported this move.

This is the second trade the Rams and Lions have hired this offseason after the Lions hired the college’s former Rams director, researching Brad Holmes as general manager in January.

Shortly after Holmes was hired in Detroit, the Rams sent the Lions in exchange for quarterback Jared Goff, along with a third-round pick in 2021 and first-round picks in 2022 and 2023 for quarterback Matthew Stafford.

These trades become official on Wednesday at the beginning of the new league year.

A first-round pick in 2012, Brockers spent his entire nine-year NFL career with the Rams. He signed a three-year, $ 24 million contract with the Rams outside of last season after a free agent deal with the Baltimore Ravens fell through.

Brockers could be a victim of the salary cap with the Rams, who have exceeded the $ 33 million limit, according to overthecap.com, after setting the $ 182.5 million salary cap in 2021.

The move will cost the Rams $ 3.67 million in dead money taxes, but will also generate a ceiling saving of $ 6.17 million, according to overthecap.com.

Brockers’ base salary of $ 6.5 million becomes fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the league.

Brockers is expected to provide immediate relief inside the defensive line for the Lions, who have already signed new Romeo Okwara on Monday, who have a Trey Flowers contract under contract.

But the middle of the line is missing. The Lions dropped Danny Shelton early Tuesday and have only Nick Williams, Da’Shawn Hand, John Penisini and Kevin Strong under contract on the defensive attack.

In trading for Brockers, the Lions could view him as a piece at least in the short term to help rebuild the team’s defense, as he is under contract until 2022. His quick win rate (6.5%) and rate (27%) be a good addition to a Detroit defense that fought in both areas under Matt Patricia.

Brockers, who has played alongside three-time NFL defensive end Aaron Donald for seven seasons, has 28 career sacks.

ESPN’s Michael Rothstein contributed to the report.

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