PFF's latest draft article may be onto something over Rams addressing ILB need

If you are hoping for the Los Angeles Rams to invest significant draft capital into a rookie inside linebacker to join the ranks this season, you may be disappointed at the team's track history of making that position a priority in any draft under HC Sean McVay. The only occasion for the Rams to invest in the position was spending their 103rd overall pick in Round 3 of the 2021 NFL Draft on South Carolina rookie ILB prospect Ernest Jones IV. While Jones was a solid run stuffer, his tenure on the Rams roster lasted all of three seasons.

I wouldn't grade the team's experience with Jones as a success. They spent a third-round pick on him, and settled for a meager upgrade of a Round 7 pick to a Round 6 pick to shed him three seasons later.

So I would not hold a candle to the hope that the Rams are willing to spend one of two Round 3 picks on the position in this draft. But perhaps the team is willing to try a different strategy?

Mason Cameron recently published an article for Pro Football Focus that cites the best Day 3 rookie prospect for each NFL team in the 2025 NFL Draft. Rather than a typical mock draft, Cameron's approach cites best fits among the lesser-scouted and lauded players in the upcoming draft. And with so much consensus over who teams will fixate on after the first 10 or so selections, this is an article that does a solid job of catalyzing draft discussions.

In his article, he projects Notre Dame ILB Jack Kiser to the Rams on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft. Why does that make sense? Let's explore Kiser's draft profile:

Kiser is a logical target for the Rams. He is a solid size, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 231 pounds. Primarily a middle linebacker in Notre Dame's 4-2-5 defense. While the Rams default defense is a 3-4-4 configuration, new DC Chris Shula has thrown a 4-2-5 formation onto the football field as well. It's that ironman constitution that makes Kiser so appealing in the Rams defense, paired with run-stuffing ILB Omar Speights.

Kiser is incredibly solid in pass coverage. At Notre Dame, he picked off four passes, two of which were returned for touchdowns. He broke up seven passes, recorded 17 tackles for a loss, 6.0 quarterback sacks, six forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. He even chalked up 275 tackles while starting on defense, as well as starring on special teams.

Despite a Day 3 projection, Kiser is expected to be an above average starter in the NFL He plays both man and zone pass coverages quite well, giving the Rams a solid option of sitting the overmatched Speights on obvious passing downs. Best of all, once he wraps up a ball carrier, they go down. Kiser is a natural for the Rams green dot, whether that happens in Week 1 or Week 18, he possesses great character, passion, work-ethic, and leadership qualities that make him a natural play caller on the defensive side of the football.

The Rams roster needs ILB reinforcements, and the versatility of ILB Jack Kiser who could fall to Round 6 makes him a player worth picking up on Day 3. The Rams have not had much interest in drafting any inside linebackers in the past, so the fit of Jack Kiser in the Rams defense could be enough to lure the team into calling out his name in Round 6.

Some fans may view the Rams roster needs at ILB to require addressing the position earlier than that. But in the end, it's GM Les Snead's show. Ultimately, it is up to Snead whether or not the Rams draft an inside linebacker, and when. But I can see Snead liking Kiser's multiple roles as reason enough to draft him in Round 6.

if he's there, that is.

As always, thanks for reading.

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