Bears 4th Round Pick #113: LB Nick Kwiatkoski
The Bears were high enough on West Virginia ILB Nick Kwiatkoski to trade a 6th round pick to move up just four spots in the fourth round (117 to 113) to secure the pick. It was Pace’s second trade up of the draft and aggressive move for a player that doesn’t fill an obvious need.
Inside linebacker was a weak spot for the Bears last season, but they spent significant money on ILBs Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman in free agency to shore up the position. Coming into the draft ILB was considered a strength with the new free agent signings as starters and last year’s starters (Jones, Timu, Anderson) as depth.
The apparent depth on the inside didn’t stop Pace from trading up to select a player he thought could help the team. Kwiatkoski may not contribute much at linebacker in 2016, but Jerrell Freeman is 30 and now the Bears have a future replacement on the roster. In the short-term Kwiatkoski should be an excellent special teams player.
Kwiatkoski is a former safety who bulked up and moved to inside linebacker. His experience in the secondary makes Kwiatkoski a better coverage guy than most linebackers and he had three interceptions and ten pass break-ups last season to show for it.
He’s more than just a sub-package coverage player though, Kwiatkoski is a fierce hitter who seems to enjoy contact. He’s actually one of the most well-rounded ILB prospects in the draft. Kwiatkoski is a sure tackler with 267 in three seasons as a starter, an effective blitzer with 6 sacks and 28.5 tackles for loss, and can cover both backs and tight ends.
DC Vic Fangio’s scheme requires a lot from its inside linebackers which worked great in San Francisco with Patrick Willis and Navorro Bowman, but not so much with John Timu and Shea McClellin. To make Fangio’s scheme effective the Bears need ILB’s who can do a little of everything, which makes Kwiatkoski a great fit for the Bears and explains why Pace traded up to get him.
Here are some pre-draft scouting reports on Kwiatkoski:
From Beargoggleson
"Nick Kwiatkowski, West Virgnia (6’2 | 241 | 4.78) – Had just under 200 tackles over the last two seasons for the Mountaineers, showing good play recognition skills and an aggression to attack the line of scrimmage vs the run. Kwiatkowski was a former safety which gives him an edge in pass in pass coverage and combined with his solid run stopping skills could make him an ideal fit the Bears 3-4 ILB position. He needs to continue to add bulk in order to navigate through traffic inside, but has great range outside and could be the Bears best coverage linebacker from day 1. The skills are there for Kwiatkowski to add value against both the run and the pass and could be a steal on day 3 where he is currently projected. I think he has day 2 upside and could eventually develop into a 3-down NFL starter in time. Short-term, Kwiatkowski has the skill-set to add value in sub-packages and be an excellent special teams player."
From NFL.com
"Kwiatkoski is known for his weight room work and has transitioned his body type from safety to inside linebacker. He has some physical limitations that could prevent him from becoming a full-time starter, but his mean streak and ability to finish as a tackler could serve him well as a special teamer which is likely how he will have to make a team."
From CBS Sports
"A former safety who has built himself into an All-Big 12 linebacker, Kwiatkoski has made a career out of exceeding expectations. With his relatively slim frame, Kwiatkoski doesn’t necessarily look the part of a classic inside linebacker but he’s instinctive, athletic and physical. At the very least, he could emerge as a quality special teamer and with greater strength at the point of attack, could surprise as much more."