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[SunsetBengal]

(02-26-2018, 05:28 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Micah Kiser. Not good in coverage but can stuff the run well, shed blocks, and has solid instincts. Good college career production too.
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/micah-kiser-1.html

This guy seems like he's be ready to plug and play MIKE, for about 12 years.  If they made a deal to fall back in the first, and pick up an extra second round pick, this would be a great prospect.  A true MIKE roaming the middle.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/leighton-vander%20esch?id=2560232

Quote:Analysis

Strengths
Big, long and athletic. Has history of achievement with dominant performances and state titles in two sports in high school. Former basketball standout with fluid hips and smooth movement around the field. Almost no delay in his change of direction. Has agility and quick-twitch for sudden lateral bursts in his slides to close out slashers. Triggers with compact burst to the ball. Works under climbing blockers to stay clean. Easy sideline-to-sideline range as tackler. Has athletic ability to recover and tackle despite over pursuit. Widens frame and opens arms to welcome his prey as a tackler. Generally wraps up. Very talented in coverage. Quick but smooth in his drops. Mirrors quarterback's eyes with ability to redirect from side to side as he follows. Uses active, catch-ready hands to breakup the pass or take it away. Shows real rush talent and instincts as a blitzer. May have enough ability to beat a tackle as edge rusher from time to time.
Weaknesses
Has just one year of starting experience. Still filling out his frame. Play strength has room for improvement. Has some struggles in taking on blocks and will get washed away by down blocks. Hasn't learned to use hands effectively to punch and separate. Takes himself out of tackle opportunities by attacking iso-blocks and lead blocks with a shoulder. At times, will over pursue or run himself out of position in attempt to play fast and avoid having to deal with blockers.
Draft Projection
Rounds 1-2
NFL Comparison
Karlos Dansby (early version)
Bottom Line
Vander Esch is a loose-hipped, instinctive linebacker who played in 2017 like he had a GPS tracker on the football. His production totals against both the run and pass are rare for being a first-year starter and with a frame that is primed for more muscle, his NFL ceiling is high. Vander Esch might benefit from a reduced role his rookie season while he improves his play strength and becomes more skilled at taking on blocks. He's an every-down linebacker with very good starting potential and the talent to fill up a stat sheet.