PFF scouting report: Nick Kwiatkoski, LB, West Virginia

Below is the PFF draft profile for West Virginia's Nick Kwiatkoski, which incorporates PFF’s college grades and scouting intel from our team of analysts. To see all of PFF’s 2016 scouting reports, click here.

Position fit:

Best fit is inside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme or strong linebacker in certain 4-3 schemes.

Stats to know:

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

What he does best:

• Strong “flipper” when attacking blocks in the run game. Packs a punch working downhill against blockers.

• Uses same style to push the pocket as a blitzer.

• Had success when playing head-up on tight ends in the run game, set a strong edge.

• Makes lead blockers play when taking them on.

• Does a nice job of sifting through the trash to find the ball carrier when left unblocked.

• Graded well on both the front and back side of running plays.

Biggest concern:

• While he’s good at attacking blockers, he struggles to shed if he doesn’t win on initial contact.

• Will lose sight of the ball at times in the run game.

• Can get caught attacking the run with the wrong shoulder.

• Had a few bad missed tackles in space.

• Can be slow to react in coverage, gets sucked in by play-action.

• Lacks depth in zones at times and lacks the recovery speed to make up for it.

• Isn’t great in man-coverage against tight ends 

Bottom line:

There’s nothing exceptional about Kwiatkoski’s game, but he’s productive in all phases. He can be a disruptor in the run game while making the routine plays in coverage. He may be limited to early downs, and he could be a useful “thumper” in a 3-4 scheme, taking on blocks and setting up his teammates to make plays.