As expected, Lions GM Brad Holmes is going back to the well.
Detroit is trading a 2023 seventh-round pick to the Rams in exchange for veteran DL Michael Brockers, according to Ian Rapoport. The deal helps the Rams shed salary and helps the Lions plug a hole on defense.
The 14th overall pick in the 2012 draft, Brockers started all but four games for the Rams at either defensive tackle or defensive end over the last eight seasons. He re-upped with the team last offseason on a three-year, $24 million deal.
Brockers put together another strong season in 2020 with 51 tackles and five sacks, second most of his career. His 114 tackles since 2019 rank second in the NFL among defensive linemen. He'll bolster the interior of Detroit's defensive line following the release of Danny Shelton.
Holmes was with Brockers for the duration of his career with the Rams as the club's director of college scouting. And Lions assistant GM Ray Agnew was with him for the past four seasons as the Rams' director of pro personnel.
According Ian Rapoport, the Rams wanted to adjust Brockers' contract, which carries cap hits of $9.8 million and $10.8 million the next two seasons. When the two sides couldn't come to an agreement, the trade with Detroit fell into place.