Nick Kwiatkoski-ILB-West Virginia

Kwiatkoski is someone that I feel is highly underrated. A former safety that has been a tackling machine at West Virginia. The epitome of consistency, a natural leader, a film junky, highly intelligent with good instincts. An overachiever in every sense, at minimum he's a guy who could be an outstanding special teams contributor. Good build for the position and plays with a chip on his shoulder, he's been referred to as a "coach's dream" and he is all of that and then some. He's a guy who I think is moving up the draft boards and would be a great pickup in the mid 3rd to 4th round.



Dude loves to lay people out too.(see link)

https://twitter.com/DraftCharge/status/714234349000925185

PFF
Finished fourth in the nation amongst linebackers against the run (+21.7 run defense grade) and sixth in coverage (+9.0 coverage grade).

Kevin Weidl ‏@KwEspn
#WVU LB Nick Kwiatkoski's instincts and recognition are off the charts. Fast eyes locating and reacting. Makes a lot of plays on tape.

Scouts Inc Profile

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft/player/_/id/49759

Instincts/Recognition-1-Displays natural FBI's and evident he does his homework. Fast eyes and above-average ball reaction. Flashes playmaking instincts in the run game. Takes quality run fits and maintains gap integrity. Shows good patience and discipline as backside defender. Will occasionally be a quarter count late recognizing play action. Good awareness in coverage locating targets and getting into passing lanes.


Take-on Skills-3-Not a thumper but more than adequate point of attack skills. Can continue to improve core strength. However, possesses an adequate anchor and functional upper body strength. Enters contact with quality leverage and does a nice job of taking on blockers to maintain gap integrity. Hand to hand combat has improved and was able to get off blocks with more efficiency this year.


Range vs. Run-2-Movement skills won't wow you on tape but he has deceptive athleticism. Balanced mover who shows adequate lateral agility and quality redirect skills. Good closing burst but has a strong understanding of pursuit angles. Gives good chase and hustle.


Tackling-3-Doesn't have elite knock-back power but does packs a punch. Consistent in tight quarters. Enters contact with quality leverage and displays strong hands to latch on finish with wrap. Effective attacking lower body and hogtying runners at the ankles. Needs to do a better job of breaking down in space. Will leave a few tackles on the field due to high pad level and coming in too hot with pursuit.


3rd Down Capabilities-2-Quality career production in coverage (14 PBUs, 7 INTs). Good feel and execution in underneath zone coverage. Possesses quality range and playmaking instincts. Keys quarterbacks eyes well to locate throwing lanes. Flashes quality leaping ability along with good hand-eye coordination to finish INT. Will have some limitations in man coverage against more athletic TEs. Adequate blitzer and flashes as an edge rusher. Doesn't have great speed-to-power capabilities but shows active hands and times pressures well.

I want this guy too. Any white boy linebacker that is Polish or just a brick s**t house I want. Kind of like Borland. Great against the run and encouraged. Exactly what we need and could be had for a fourth round pick probably but is definitely worth a third

WVU produced a few" real deal" football players on D (Karl Joseph being my favorite)- Kwiatkoski is decidedly one of them.!!!!!!

Played mostly outside backer in their defense, but was moved around a bunch. Good player. Great value pick up as a 4th rounder, maybe 5th rounder due to team needs. My 8th best ILB. A Pro Football Focus All-American, which means he was a damn good college football player. Graded over Scooby for sure.

Originally posted by MadDog49er:
Played mostly outside backer in their defense, but was moved around a bunch. Good player. Great value pick up as a 4th rounder, maybe 5th rounder due to team needs. My 8th best ILB. A Pro Football Focus All-American, which means he was a damn good college football player. Graded over Scooby for sure.

This. I think the 4th would be a good range for him, even if he doesn't develop into a starter in the NFL you still get a guy who is likely to be a maniac on special teams.

Kwiatkoski could have been pretty useful for the 49ers right about now.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Kwiatkoski could have been pretty useful for the 49ers right about now.

Good ilb name....Val would

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
Kwiatkoski could have been pretty useful for the 49ers right about now.

True. Martinez is playing well for GB, and Jatavis Brown is going to be in contention for Defensive Rookie of the Year for the Bolts. He just won the Pepsi Rookie of the Week for his huge game last week. Too bad we had all those picks, and many look like a total waste so far.

I really like guys like this.

Not in the limelight and ready to be productive.

Originally posted by MadDog49er:

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Kwiatkoski could have been pretty useful for the 49ers right about now.

True. Martinez is playing well for GB, and Jatavis Brown is going to be in contention for Defensive Rookie of the Year for the Bolts. He just won the Pepsi Rookie of the Week for his huge game last week. Too bad we had all those picks, and many look like a total waste so far.

Like Martinez last yr...still can't believe they didn't even bring in one LB in the off season with all those picks and money smh.

A good case can be made for needing 4 starting LB's. Could have 1 OLB develop behind Brooks a bit.

Originally posted by LasVegasWally:
I really like guys like this.

Not in the limelight and ready to be productive.

When I hear a guy's coach complain that he watches TOO much film, that makes me want to pay closer attention.