As we approach our final candidate for Round 6, we know the harder it is to make the football team. Most players at this point will struggle to make the final roster or will be placed on practice squads of either the team they are drafted on, or have an opportunity with another franchise. Last week, we highlighted a defensive player from a small school, and this week it will be a linebacker from a powerhouse college football program.
Round 6/Pick 191
The Indianapolis Colts Select...
Jack Kiser/LB-Notre Dame
The local Indiana product can stay close to home if the Colts draft him with their sixth-round selection. The former Indiana Mr. Football in 2018 at Pioneer High School then went to have a significant role with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in his college career. He played in 70 college football games and started in nearly half of them, including all this past season. A strong special teams contributor and tackling machine, he could really help this football team out with the depth needed in the linebacker room.
His strengths are plentiful with his ability to shift around the linebacker positions. He has a high football IQ, can be used as a “viper” style of play, and is a terrific tackler - which we all know was the undisputed weakness of this football team last season. Kiser has a couple of issues that are keeping him as a Day 3 pick. Those are issues that pertain to his size and age. He is a bit undersized for the scouts' liking, but I think he is just fine coming in at 6’2 and 231 pounds. His biggest knock is his age, as he will 25 years old this year. It’s a small risk you take for someone being drafted in the sixth round that wants to play football at a high level. The upside outweighs the risk, and look for the Colts to target Kiser in April.