2018 NFL Draft: Micah Kiser’s experience makes him NFL ready

Virginia Cavaliers linebacker Micah Kiser has a lot of experience under his belt, making him an attractive target for NFL teams. Where will he go in the 2018 NFL Draft?

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It is a rarity in today’s world of college sports to find a player as talented as Virginia Cavaliers linebacker Micah Kiser stick around for all four years of eligibility. In a world of one-and-dones in college basketball and the three-year rule in football, some players find it extremely beneficial to stick around for an extra year, and this instance, Kiser is a prime example.

As a sophomore, Kiser posted 117 total tackles and a career high 7.5 sacks and 65 solo tackles. Entering his junior year, expectations were high for Kiser as he was expected to experience a break-out campaign. While his junior season was no disappointment, Kiser showed his sophomore season was no fluke, posting 65 solo tackles yet again to go with 133 total.

With these types of numbers in back-to-back seasons, Kiser could have easily tested the water in the NFL Draft and likely would have gotten drafted, yet he decided to return to Charlottesville for one more season. Again, his steady play and consistent motor proved to be beneficial, as he finished the year with a career high 143 total tackles.

Strengths

Kiser’s experience has allowed him to become a very smart player who never over-pursues or takes too many risks. He is quick to determining opposing moves and is often one of the first players involved in the play, doing so at a poised and controlled pace.

One of his biggest strengths is that he goes to the ball, rather than waiting for it to come to him. For example, on run plays that he is able to read right away, Kiser will often meet the ball carrier near the line of scrimmage, preventing any sort of leeway for the running back to get into the secondary. His controlled demeanor and poised pace allows him to rarely make mistakes playing this way.

Weaknesses

Since Kiser initiates contact at the line of scrimmage, it is crucial that he works on his tackling technique more. Sometimes, ball carriers are able to plunge through him for additional yardage, even with Kiser taking a downhill approach. With bigger players and runners in the NFL, Kiser’s tactic of pursuing the line of scrimmage will come back to haunt him if he can not make the tackle.

Next: NFL Mock Draft 2018: First round post pro days, trades

Draft Expectations

Kiser will post a safe pick for anyone willing to take him, but will likely get overlooked in the first couple of rounds for those that may present a high ceiling. While his might not be as high, his floor is also not as low as many of the prospects and will find himself falling perhaps on day two.

Projection: Round 4