The Denver Broncos made the right move to replace Josey Jewell at the linebacker position with a scheme fit in former Rams LB Micah Kiser.
The Denver Broncos had a variety of options on the free agent market and around the league to potentially replace injured starter Josey Jewell. Although they didn’t take the veteran free agent route, the Broncos went after a guy who is definitely the right call for their present situation.
According to multiple media reports on Wednesday morning, the Broncos have signed former fifth-round pick Micah Kiser off the Los Angeles Rams‘ practice squad.
Confirming Broncos are signing ILB Micah Kiser off Rams practice squad per source. (1st by @ryanohalloran). 5th round draft pick in 2018. (Jewell was 4th round). #9sports
— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) September 22, 2021
Although he was picked back in 2018, Kiser fits the Denver Broncos’ recent trend of plus athletes at just about every position on the roster. He graded out as one of the better athletes in his class and at his position group over the last three decades, in general.
Micah Kiser posted a great #RAS at the Combine, with very good marks across the board.
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 23, 2018
Kiser was at one point considered a possible 1st round pick, but fell off as the season progressed. pic.twitter.com/x9y0eCva3P
In his rookie season with the Rams, Kiser played a huge role on special teams in all 16 regular season games and into the postseason as the Rams won the NFC title and fell short against the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.
After playing a crucial role on special teams in 2018, Kiser missed the 2019 season and came back in 2020 to play a key role on Brandon Staley’s defense.
In the 2020 season, Kiser racked up 77 tackles in nine games before an injury derailed his season. He added three passes broken up, a forced fumble, and a QB hit. He was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week in week 2 of the 2020 season.
Micah Kiser was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Eagles!
— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) September 23, 2020
READ MORE: https://t.co/iryzhz5ZAW pic.twitter.com/iFiORJbTcl
The NFL is certainly a “not for long” business, isn’t it?
Although Kiser didn’t make the Rams’ final roster in 2021, he has been on their practice squad and was called up for their most recent game against the Indianapolis Colts, where he played 17 special teams snaps.
Kiser’s experience on special teams as well as his nine games as a starter in Brandon Staley’s defense make him a perfect candidate to replace Josey Jewell at the inside linebacker position.
Staley, of course, is a disciple of Vic Fangio and ran a very similar defense last season with the Los Angeles Rams.
Kiser’s experience in Staley’s defense should help him get on the field sooner rather than later in Denver, but the interim period will be a crucial audition for Justin Strnad, whom the team obviously has plenty of faith in.
If they didn’t, they might have gone for one of the higher-profile additions we previously suggested.
For the time being, Kiser profiles as a player who will absolutely contribute one way or another. He has a high floor for the Denver Broncos because of his special teams abilities, and a high ceiling because he’s proven he can play at a pretty high level in this defensive scheme, at least an iteration of it.
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For the time being, Jewell’s injury is one of a number of significant injury issues for the Denver Broncos. Getting a guy like Kiser in the fold this early in the season could pay huge dividends for the Broncos over the course of the year.