The Rams will exercise their 2016 option on defensive tackle Michael Brockers, reports Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via Twitter). The team has until May 3 to make the move official.
Brokers, 24, has played well for St. Louis since being drafted 14th overall by the team in 2012, though his sack total slipped in 2014. After recording 46 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 2013, Brockers totaled just 32 tackles and 2.0 sacks last year.
The presence of 2014 first-round pick Aaron Donald may have limited Brockers’ impact last season, and he may see his playing time reduced a little this coming season after the Rams signed former Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley in free agency. I imagine Brockers will still see plenty of action on running downs, but the idea of having Donald, Fairley, Robert Quinn, and Chris Long getting after the quarterback on passing downs must be tantalizing for the Rams.
As the 14th overall pick in 2012, Brockers is in line for a salary of $6.146MM on his fifth-year option. That figure will initially be guaranteed for injury only — if he’s still under contract when the 2016 league year begins, his fifth-year salary becomes fully guaranteed.
For a full breakdown on the status of fifth-year options around the league, be sure to check out our tracker.