Tag: michael brockers

Could the Vikings sign Michael Brockers?

The Vikings have a need on the defensive line and the newly released Lions defensive end could fit the bill

The Minnesota Vikings are in the midst of trying to reshape their 31st-ranked scoring defense. One of the weakest points of the defense is on the defensive line. They currently have two of their defensive lineman set to hit free agency and they will likely part ways with Ross Blacklock who disappointed this past season after a cutdown day trade.

There was one addition to the free agency pool on Friday morning with the Detroit Lions releasing defensive end Michael Brockers.

A five-technique defensive end who can move to the inside on passing downs, Brockers is set to turn 33 in December. He spent the last two seasons with the Lions who just cut him to save $10 million on the cap.

Why would the Vikings sign Brockers? He would add a nice veteran depth piece to the Vikings in a similar mold to what Jonathan Bullard was for the team and he can play multiple spots on the defensive line. Versatility is something that Brian Flores loves and prioritizes for his defense.

Last season, Brockers was a healthy scratch on 10 different occasions, which is both a sign that he isn’t worth a lot of money along with the Lions prioritizing developing their young talent. Because of that, it could end up being an inexpensive signing which would add to the depth on the defensive line. He also has a rapport with head coach Kevin O’Connell, as they spent the 2020 season together with the Los Angeles Rams.

Per PFF, Brockers ended up with an overall grade of 51.3 over 129 snaps in 2022. If the Vikings were to sign him, it would likely be on a veteran minimum contract or something close to it to provide depth and nothing more. He could potentially be a starter at one of the defensive end spots, as both guys are free agents currently.

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Should Bengals target Michael Brockers after Lions released DL?

Should the Bengals pursue Michael Brockers in free agency?

When the Los Angeles Rams moved on from linebacker Bobby Wagner, we wondered if that might have a positive ripple effect for the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency.

And now it’s fair to wonder if the same thing could apply to the Detroit Lions and defensive lineman Michael Brockers agreeing to part ways.

Those Lions cut Brockers in a cost-saving measure, as first reported by the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett.

Brockers, a first-rounder in 2012 by the then-St. Louis Rams, brushed shoulders with current Bengals head coach Zac Taylor in Los Angeles before getting traded to the Lions in 2021 for a seventh-round pick. Last year he played limited snaps despite captain status as the only 30-plus player on the team.

If Brockers wants to keep playing at 32, the Bengals would be a no-brainer of a fit. He’s not a big difference maker or splash singing by any means, but the Bengals need more depth in the defensive trenches and the former LSU star would certainly seem like the right sort of culture fit for Taylor’s program.

Like with another recently cut free agent such as Taylor Lewan, it would come down to price and willingness to provide a boost to depth.

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The Lions have released DL Michael Brockers

Brockers was a healthy scratch in most of 2022

The two-year run for Michael Brockers with the Detroit Lions has come to an end. As was widely expected, the Lions released Brockers on Thursday. The news was first reported by the Detroit Free Press.

Brockers played sparingly in 2022 as the only Lions player over 30 years old. He was a healthy scratch in 10 of the last 11 weeks. He finished the season with four tackles and one pass defended in six games.

The release ends Brockers’ three-year, $24 million contract with the Lions. It saves the team $10 million in cap space for 2023 while adding $3.9 million in dead cap room thanks to a restructuring in September.

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Michael Brockers ruled out, Justin Jackson now questionable for Week 15

Michael Brockers ruled out, Justin Jackson now questionable for Week 15

The Detroit Lions issued an updated injury availability report on Saturday afternoon, and it was not good news for the depth. Michael Brockers has been ruled out of Sunday’s matchup with the New York Jets.

Brockers was initially listed as questionable with an illness but did not make the trip with the team. Reserve running back Justin Jackson was downgraded to questionable with an illness designation as well. Jackson has been seeing consistent action as the third RB in the rotation behind Jamaal Williams and D’Andre Swift.

The illness has been running through the Lions for the last couple of weeks. CB Jeff Okudah played through it in Week 14 but was limited in his rep count. Several other Lions have missed practices as well.

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Lions inactive players for Week 9 vs. Packers: Healthy scratches on the DL

Five Lions players are ruled out due to injuries and the other two inactives come from the DL

There aren’t many surprises in the Detroit Lions inactive player list for the Week 9 visit from the Green Bay Packers. With four players already ruled out due to injuries and another one listed as doubtful, the list was almost complete before the 11:30 a.m. deadline on Sunday.

The player listed as doubtful on the final injury report was WR Josh Reynolds, and he is indeed out. He joins CB Chase Lucas, S Ifeatu Melifonwu, OT Matt Nelson and CB AJ Parker as those missing the game due to injuries.

Two defensive linemen are healthy scratches. DT Michael Brockers sits for another week, while DE Austin Bryant is down after playing quite a bit in Week 8.

The Detroit Lions at the NFL trade deadline: Buy, sell, or hold?

Different options if the Lions want to be buyers, sellers or hold tight at the NFL trade deadline

The NFL’s trade deadline hits at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, November 1st. There has already been some interesting trade activity around the league, notably RB Christian McCaffrey from the Panthers to the 49ers and EDGE Robert Quinn leaving Chicago for Philadelphia.

It’s been quiet on the trade front in Detroit. Other than some rumored interest in tight end T.J. Hockenson, which the club refuted over the weekend, the Lions have not been linked to any players coming or going beyond message board wishlists and comment section speculation.

Still in the early stages of a massive rebuild, the Lions aren’t expected to be active players in the trade market. GM Brad Holmes will work the phones to see what might be out there, and he could find some interesting offers as either a buyer or a seller.

 

Despite being a healthy scratch in Week 7, Michael Brockers doesn’t appears to be going anywhere

Lions DT Michael Brockers was a healthy scratch in Week 7 but Detroit HC Dan Campbell still sees him as an important part of the team

It raised some eyebrows when veteran defensive tackle Michael Brockers was a healthy scratch for the Detroit Lions in Week 7. Brockers sat in favor of John Cominsky and rookie Josh Paschal, who made his debut after missing the first five weeks with injury.

Brockers, the only Lions player over 30 years old, has not played well this season. He managed just four tackles and one pass defended in 113 snaps over the first five games. So the benching for younger players with more promise makes sense. Cominsky and Paschal both played well in the loss to Dallas, outshining Brockers’ recent performances.

The chain of events has led many to speculate that Brockers will not be in Detroit much longer — perhaps even being released this week. Head coach Dan Campbell strongly refuted those notions in his press conference before Monday’s practice.

“(Brockers) provides a tremendous amount of leadership to us, and he’s helped that room in multiple areas, and so there again, just from where we’re at right now, we felt like once we got Cominsky and Paschal back with where it is, that was the right lineup for us,” Campbell said. “But just like last week, when we talked and communicated it with him, he’s like, ‘Look, I’m all in.’ He’s practicing, he’s, ‘You need me, you need me. In the meantime, I’m going to continue to help these young guys get better.’ He’s a pro’s pro, man.”

When asked if Brockers can return form the benching to the starting lineup the way CB Amani Oruwariye did between Weeks 5 and 7, Campbell enthusiastically supported the concept.

“Yeah, I mean you never know,” Campbell said. “We may need him, or it could be that that’s the lineup of the week, so he’s on call.”

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Lions inactive players for Week 7 includes DT Michael Brockers

Lions inactive players for Week 7 include several Lions who are out with injuries and DT Michael Brockers as a healthy scratch

The Detroit Lions are facing the Dallas Cowboys with some new reinforcements in the lineup after the bye week, but the injury-riddled Lions will still be without four players scratched due to injury.

Running back D’Andre Swift is indeed not playing, validating early-morning reports that Swift would not play due to his ongoing shoulder and ankle injuries. He joins three other players who were already ruled out on Friday’s final weekly injury report:

  • DE Charles Harris
  • S Ifeatu Melifonwu
  • OT Matt Nelson

Two other players who were ruled out on Friday, WR DJ Chark and CB Bobby Price, were placed on injured reserve on Saturday.

Detroit’s other inactives are headlined by DT Michael Brockers. The veteran is a healthy scratch after not performing well all season. The return of DL John Cominsky and rookie Josh Paschal have pushed Brockers to the bench.

Cornerback Will Harris, who was questionable for the game, and DT Demetrius Taylor are also inactive.

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3 potential solutions to help fix the Detroit Lions defense

Offering up 3 solutions to help start fixing the Lions defense

The Detroit Lions have a defensive problem. Well, technically it’s a vast collection of problems that could inspire Jay-Z to write a sequel to one of his most famous songs.

It’s hard to come up with a solution to 99 different problems on Aaron Glenn’s failing unit, but we can at least isolate three solutions that will help clean up the NFL’s worst defense.

Lions vs Vikings: Best and Worst PFF grades from Week 3

Here are the Detroit Lions best and worst PFF performers for this Week 3 game against the Minnesota Vikings.

It is never easy losing against your division opponent, but what happened for the Detroit Lions at the end makes it hurt that much more, losing their second game against the Minnesota Vikings, 28-24.

The Lions looked to be in control, but after some heavily questionable playcalling, ill-timed injuries, and miscommunication, they felt that win slip through their fingers. It has been documented enough that Coach Dan Campbell wishes he would’ve made a different call at the end, so we don’t need to beat a dead horse while it’s down. The Lions will look to redeem themselves next week against the Seattle Seahawks in hopes they can rebound from this devastation.

Most of this week’s PFF grades fall right in line with the eye test, good and bad. So we will go ahead and highlight the best and the worst PFF performers for the Lions for Week 3 against the Vikings.