5 veteran outbound free agents who the LA Rams will miss in 2021

DL Brockers

Every NFL team needs that sage veteran who will take younger players aside, help to coach them up, and encourage them when it wall seems overwhelming. Veteran defensive lineman Michael Brockers was that guy on the roster, as he played four seasons for the Saint Louis Rams and subsequently five seasons for the LA Rams. He was one of the first to welcome rookie Aaron Donald to the Rams in 2014.

Fans are biased in their appreciation of players with the advent of Fantasy Football, as the way scoring occurs favors offensive skill weapons, defensive backs who are apt to intercept passes, and field goal kickers.  Individual defensive player performances are rolled up into the defense/special teams category. Brockers shows up in that umbrella category.

Brockers was one of the longest-tenured players on the Rams roster and for good reason. He’s a glue guy, the player who is versatile enough to play at any position on the defensive line, and yet not so elite that he forced the team to play him on each and every down. That was huge in the development of teammates Sebastian Joseph-Day, Morgan Fox, and Greg Gaines.

The Rams will likely need a player like Brockers who can let younger players rotate in, but who can go right back into the game to shut down any offensive momentum. His five quarterback sacks and 10 QB hits were nearly career highs for him. Dependable, solid on the run and the pass, and willing to share the spotlight with younger players.  He was productive on the field and classy off the field. Teams tend to miss those players when they’re gone.