Los Angeles Rams: 2018 NFL Draft targets to stay atop NFC West

Add a take-on linebacker

As of now, the Rams have only one starting linebacker returning — Mark Barron, who, by most standards, isn’t the ideal linebacker for a 3-4 defense. Bryce Hager isn’t a take-on backer and is also better suited for a 4-3 defense. Since the Rams didn’t make any major moves in free agency to acquire a linebacker to play inside, chances are they’ll look to trade for one or select one in the draft. Since Barron has shown the ability to play inside, they’ll need a guy who keep him clean.

Virginia Cavaliers inside linebacker Micah Kiser is a 6-2, 240-pound compact downhill linebacker. Early reports suggested that Kiser wasn’t athletic. However, after a running 4.60-second 40 and boasting a 35-inch vertical leap at the Combine, he proved he has plenty of explosion. Still, what Kiser does best doesn’t require him to be an exceptional athlete like some of his peers.

Kiser is a thumper, a powerful linebacker who excels at cleaning up the trash. He mixes it up with guards and usually wins the battle. With over 300 tackles (33.5 for loss), 19 sacks, and eight forced fumbles, Kiser is the ideal fit for any 3-4 team looking to keep the other linebackers clean. Whether it’s Barron or any other backer, Kiser is should come in and help improve the Rams sometimes leaky run defense.

If he’s available in the third round — and he should be — the Rams should jump at the chance to select him.