7 times the LA Rams may have been shortchanged in 2021 roster moves

Trade scenario V

The LA Rams needed financial flexibility as the 2021 NFL Season approached, and wanted to restructure the contracts of their highly compensated veterans. Of course, that also impacts the financial security of those players, and the status of Michael Brockers was not aligned with those team objectives.

Brockers was playing on what may very likely be the last NFL contract, and therefore he was not too warm to the thought of giving up his compensation without the reciprocity of guaranteed salary. Since the Rams front office was working under a perceived time crunch, they opted to trade Brockers away, rather than work with his agent to satisfy both sides.

But opting to place him on the trade block was more of an auction to the highest bidder, and the only bid to come in was from the Detroit Lions’ new GM Brad Holmes. And so the Rams traded starting defensive lineman Michael Brockers to the Detroit Lions for a 2023 seventh-round pick.

The Rams roster could use a veteran DL

In 11 games for the Lions, Brockers has put up 34 tackles and one quarterback sack. He’s also recorded four tackles for a loss.  For comparison purposes, that is the equivalent of LA Rams Greg Gaines.

Again, the challenge here is not that the Rams traded away a starting defensive lineman who is incredibly strong against defending the run. Rather it’s the fact that the team exchanged a present-day starter for a draft pick in 2023 that may or may not pan out.  After all, this is a team that is focused on the current roster. Would Brockers on the roster have helped this team handle the loss of Sebastian Joseph Day to injury?  I think that is a safe conclusion. Need more proof?