The St. Louis Rams have signed first-round defensive tackle Michael Brockers to a four-year, $9.5 million contract, according to NFL.com.
The LSU standout was drafted No. 14 by the Rams in this year's draft, after the team traded its No. 6 pick to the Dallas Cowboys for an additional second-round pick.
As financial terms of the deal have not been officially announced, it is believed Brockers will earn a guaranteed $9.5 million, NFL.com reports. The team will also hold an option for a fifth-year.
Brockers has a large frame at 6'6", 306 lbs. His strength is against the run, and does not project to be an elite pass-rusher. He has shown a strong ability to read opposing offensive plays and adjust.
The LSU lineman graded out at an 87 percent in NFL.com prospect rankings. He ran a 5.36 40-yard dash at the combine and possesses a 26.5 inch vertical.
In three years at LSU, Brockers played 27 games with 15 starts. He had 79 tackles and two sacks in his collegiate career. Brockers earned second-team All-SEC honors his sophomore year in 2011.
St. Louis selecting Brockers sets him up to join a young defensive line with Chris Long, Robert Quinn and possibly Kendall Langford. In 2011, the Rams ranked 31st in run defense, allowing 152.1 rushing yards per game.
The Rams waited until last week to start signing draft picks, as the organization wanted the players to focus on their transition from college to the pros without getting bogged down with contract talks. CBS Sports reported on May 25 that general manager Les Snead would likely open talks with players soon and have all players signed by the end of minicamp and OTAs on June 14.
Under the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the players union, a new rookie wage scale was agreed upon to make signing draft picks more simple than in the past.
Second-round picks Brian Quick and Janoris Jenkins, along with third-round pick Trumaine Johnson are the only three remaining unsigned draft picks for the Rams.
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