Pass Rush:

Not much of a threat rushing the passer at this stage. Is raw and needs a lot of work. Pops up right off the snap and it limits his effectiveness with the bull rush which is his main move. Will occasionally use a swim or club move but isn’t very successful with it. Leverage is a huge issue and despite his strength and initial push he is stone-walled far too often. Struggles to get off blocks and doesn’t use his hands very well.

Grade: 1.5

Strength:

Has bulked up since he arrived at LSU and has put on a lot of mass. Very strong frame. Has the upper body strength to bully lineman. Has a strong bull rush when he keeps his pad level down but that is a big issue for him. Is tall and is already at a disadvantage but he struggles to stay low and is often negated at the line of scrimmage because of this. Still lacks the strength to consistently stand up to double teams.

Grade: 3.0

Quickness:

Is quick off the snap when he times the snap count but can be pretty average when he doesn’t. Lacks an elite first step and was over-hyped as an athlete. Not quick enough to consistently beat lineman off the snap and get penetration.

Grade: 2.5

Point of Attack:

A bit underwhelming at the point of attack. His strength is felt and he’s rarely blocked back 1 on 1. He can hold his ground and shows he can get off the block and make tackles inside. However, he’s still developing his technique so he is wildly inconsistent. Again has issues with leverage and he will get upright allowing lineman to get in on him and control him. Still has the strength to fight off blocks but doesn’t show great technique in doing so. Struggles to hold up to double teams but can occasionally split them quite well. Not a guy who can consistently penetrate and make plays in the back-field but not a nose tackle type who can take up space either at this point.

Grade: 2.5

Tackling:

A great tackler who can consistently wrap up and make the play when he should. Is helped by his length and strength. Can grab a hold of runners and won’t let them get away. Delivers quite a pop on his hits as well.

Grade: 4.5

Intangibles:

Big concern is that he is raw. Has only started 1 full season and his numbers were not off the charts. Has no known off-field issues or injury concerns. Put on a lot of weight since coming to LSU and is not sloppy by any means. Worked hard in the weight room. Is versatile and has already played multiple positions at LSU. Is probably best suited as a 3-4 end.

Grade: 2.5

Outlook:

Michael Brockers is over-hyped in my opinion. He was over-hyped as an athlete and people set out expectations for him that were way too high. He was mediocre, if not below average, at the combine. He’s only started one year and is nowhere near polished enough to be a day 1 starter in the NFL. I think his best fit is going to be as an end in a 3-4 scheme. He’s not strong enough to be a nose tackle and he’d be a waste in a 4-3 scheme as he is only a 2 down player. He’s a bit of a tweener who lacks a position he can fit in perfectly and it’s a bit of a red flag. He’ll need quite some time to adjust and he may be headed down a path similar to former LSU defensive tackles Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson.