My impression on why he looked different between 2017 & 2018 is because he might have been tasked with playing a different role.
In 2017 he played with a more traditional NT, allowing him to rush the passer. In 2018 Suh was a better pass rusher so Brockers was asked to play the run and tie up blockers for Suh & Ebukam.
I suspect with Gaines playing the NT position, we'll see Brockers play more like 2017.
