LA Rams News: OLB Leonard Floyd leads surprising LB surge in 2020

Upside III –  ILB Kiser true starter for Rams defense.

LA Rams projected starting ILB Micah Kiser is truly a starting-caliber linebacker. Let that sink in for a moment. It’s a key to the entire Rams defense this year.  Just like the Rams had confidence in Cory Littleton, which allowed them to move on from former linebacker Alec Ogletree, so too did the Rams’ confidence in Micah Kiser allow the Rams to allow veteran Littleton sell his services to the highest bidder.

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Let’s state some bold facts. The Rams will work pass coverages from other players. Kiser merely needs to zone defend the middle of the field. And he does that well. But where Kiser is truly needed is that punishing enforcer in the middle of the field.  He’s that guy that nobody wants to run into because they’ll walk away seeing stars. After all, he’s a 6-foot-0 244-pound fireplug with a 38-inch  waist and 36-inch thighs.  That’s power, sheer power.

Have Rams had a thumper like Kiser?

Kiser is a tough player to envision as a starting linebacker for the Rams because he is unlike other players to start at the position. The closest comparative match is the comparison to Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez.  Martinez averages 128 tackles and 2.5 sacks per season over his four-year career so far.  The Rams would love to have that sort of production out of Kiser this year.

Kiser could do those numbers. He’s a powerful linebacker playing the middle of a 3-4 defense which will have a lot of defensive backs on the field. That means he’ll see more than his share of running plays. On those plays, he will definitely be the player most responsible for the tackle on any inside rushers. Behind Donald, and hopefully Robinson this season, the Rams will get all they need out of Kiser patrolling the middle.