In the weeks leading up to free agency, it seemed like the Rams would have to make a choice: Cory Littleton or Dante Fowler? It turns out they weren’t able to keep either one as Littleton left to sign with the Raiders and Fowler bolted for Atlanta.
The Rams have options at outside linebacker, especially after signing Leonard Floyd, but inside linebacker looks like one of the weakest spots on the roster. Micah Kiser was in line to start next to Littleton last season before landing on IR with a pectoral injury, a significant blow to the defense. Now, Kiser will likely get a chance to replace Littleton.
It’s bittersweet for Kiser to see Littleton go because of how close the two were over the last two seasons. Kiser mentioned Littleton as a player he’ll miss having around next season, but is happy for him after signing with the Raiders.
“Losing Cory, that’s like a big brother, really,” Kiser said in a recent interview with TheRams.com. “Learned a lot from him, really good guy. Cory was a great dude, but he really earned everything he’s getting. I’m just really happy for him to go to Vegas, which is pretty sweet for him. Being in Vegas, a new stadium, as well – a new kind of branding out there. For him to be out there, it’s really awesome.”
Kiser also mentioned the departure of Todd Gurley as one of the most notable for him, saying Gurley did a lot for the team that went unnoticed by the fans.
“Obviously losing TG, he was really the face of the Rams for a while,” he continued. “Just a really great guy. He really did a lot off the field for a lot of guys to really bring the team together.”
With the Rams’ recent departures, younger players will need to step up. Kiser is one of them, and he’s confident he and the team’s other recent draft picks can carry the torch and be productive in 2020.
“I’ve been saying this, we’ve got a lot of young guys that are looking to step up and have their opportunity and looking forward to it and I’m really optimistic about next year and fans should be, as well,” Kiser said.
