As is the case every year, the Los Angeles Rams will have a handful of new starters in 2019. The biggest changes will come on the offensive and defensive lines where Rodger Saffold, John Sullivan and Ndamukong Suh are all gone. Lamarcus Joyner also left, opening a hole at safety.
The Rams are still sorting out some voids created this offseason, which includes inside linebacker. Mark Barron was released and signed with the Steelers, paving the way for Micah Kiser to take over next to Cory Littleton. He won’t be handed the starting job after playing as many defensive snaps as Jared Goff: zero.
While Kiser was a contributor on special teams, he still has a lot to prove in terms of being a starting linebacker. He’ll do whatever it takes to help the Rams win the Super Bowl and hopes to play more on defense.
“I want to play a little bit more on defense. Get a role on defense and keep doing what I did last year on special teams,” Kiser said when asked of his goal for 2019. “I’m a part of that with Bones (special teams coordinator John Fassel) and all the guys out there. I will do whatever it takes to get us where we were last year, but ultimately win it. I think that’s special about our team is that guys are very selfless and do whatever it takes. It’s team first and whatever sacrifices you got to make… that’s what I’m willing to do and pretty sure that’s what everyone else is too.”
Kiser is a stout run defender and stood out on defense during the 2018 preseason. He was a tackling machine at Virginia, finishing his career with three straight seasons of 100-plus tackles and 408 total in four years.
The Rams need to improve their run defense next season, which is why they added Greg Gaines, Clay Matthews and Eric Weddle this offseason. Kiser should be an upgrade over Barron in that department, as long as he continues to develop into a future starter.
