Signing Michael Brockers
Brockers’ deal is the perfect reason why we need to know the contract details before making a judgment. On the face, Brockers is set to get paid $30 million over three years with $21 million guaranteed, which seems like a lot for a run-stuffing nose tackle. But in reality, the deal is arranged to only be for two years with a $5 million cap hit in 2020 and an easy out in 2022.
Effectively makes this a 2-year deal with manageable cap hits in both years.
2020: $5M
2021: $12.5M
2022: $12.5M ($9M cap savings / $3.5M dead money if cut)Looks like a pretty good deal when arranged this way. https://t.co/ukHPd0fFQJ
— MatthewStevens (@MatthewS_NFL) March 17, 2020
In return, the Ravens get a little bit of an upgrade over Michael Pierce, who they seem willing to let walk in free agency. At 6-foot-5 and 305 pounds, Brockers brings in the same stout ability to eat up space and clog up the middle of the field. But he also adds in a little more of an interior pass rush as well, which Baltimore has been desperate for over the years.
Playing next to Aaron Donald with the Los Angeles Rams certainly helps but Bockers has accounted for 8.5 sacks over the last three years. His 17 pressures from 2019 point to Brockers helping Baltimore make a better push up front. When combined with Campbell and Judon, the Ravens’ pass rush should get a lot better.
I didn’t give this move a higher grade because there should be some questions as to what Brockers can do without Los Angeles’ massive defensive line helping him out. Baltimore hasn’t exactly been known for getting a lot of pass-rushing help out of their defensive tackles but they’re paying Brockers like that’s what they’ll be getting.
Grade: B