If Hau'oli Kikaha Slips To The 3Rd I Wouldn't Mind Drafting Him

[Heavy Hitter]

Please see the full story in my post below

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2015/04/washingtons-kikaha-likely-to-suffer-a-draft-slide-similar-to-dumervil/

Edited April 13, 2015 by Heavy Hitter

[TheFalcoholic]

The great wall of text.

[O-Ther]

tl;dr

[WiscoFalcon]

Drafting a guy who's torn up his knee multiple times sounds like something we would do in the 3rd round.

[Herr Doktor]

Wall o' text.

[RHEC]

I say we should just chance it and draft him in the 2nd round if we miss out on Beastly and Fowler JR.

Drafting a guy who's torn up his knee multiple times sounds like something we would do in the 3rd round.

19 sacks in 2014 and 13 sacks in 2013, I say he would be worth the risk.

[Lornoth]

I keep hearing he'll go 7'th-UDFA. Not sure I'd spend a 3'rd on him.

[MD-FalconFan13]

He's a low risk, high reward player. I would say if we plan he could throw off our draft plans. We need a lot. Perhaps too much to double dip at any position.

[rugger8]

I'd say our 3rd is about where I'd be willing to take the risk.

His injury history is the obvious concern, but I love his tenaciousness, and pass rush ability. He'd be late 1st round if not for the injuries.

That said, we might have hit our injury risk quota in free agency.

[rugger8]

I keep hearing he'll go 7'th-UDFA. Not sure I'd spend a 3'rd on him.

What? Where'd you hear that?

[isproab]

I think the issue may be his injury history. 2 ACL injuries negates some of the outstanding production.

[Lornoth]

What? Where'd you hear that?

Just whisperings around here and there. Nothing concrete by any means, but enough that it makes me wary that teams know something the general fans don't.

[Heavy Hitter]

Sorry about the first post. I tried copying it while I was working

http://www.steelersd...ar-to-dumervil/

Home / NFL Draft / Washingtons Kikaha Likely To Suffer A Draft Slide Similar To Dumervil Washingtons Kikaha Likely To Suffer A Draft Slide Similar To Dumervil

By Lucas Campbell on April 12, 2015 at 11:49 am

Running through the stats from the last two seasons of big-time college football, Hauoli Kikaha was an absolute terror hunting down quarterbacks from 2013-14 with 32 sacks. He recorded 19 last season, an FBS-best, to go along with 25 tackles-for-loss, ranking second in that category. But the question begs, why is such a productive player seemingly being pushed down draft boards? Is it due to his combine and pro day numbers, where he ran a lackluster 4.9 in the 40 and only 20 bench press reps? Or is it from not one, but two surgeries to repair his ACL on the same knee?

It conjures up memories of an almost exact same scenario that unfolded in the 2006 NFL Draft. Louisville defensive end Elvis Dumervil was fresh off a season that saw him rack up 20 sacks, including 15 in just five games, 22 tackles-for-loss and bring home some major hardware including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Ted Hendricks Award, Big East DPOY and a unanimous All-American. With all that production, Dumervil wasnt selected until the 4th round, a surprising free fall. Without question, it was due to his size, as hes listed at 5-foot-11 and 255 pounds. With 90 sacks to his name, its safe to say he was a missed pick, as the All-Pro just last year rewrote the single season sack mark for the Baltimore Ravens with 17.

When comparing the draft analyses of the two, there exists some very similar comparisons. Both are labeled as too small to play with their hand in the dirt as a 4-3 defensive end, with Kikaha being accused of lacking the ideal bulk requisite for the position, and often lets his 6-foot-2, 253-pound frame get swallowed up versus the run game. Another common trait between the two is their hip flexibility and bend, where both possess enough body control to dip and arc around the edge without losing their momentum, which leads to something both possess in large quantities and thats explosiveness. Both fire off the snap like a sprinter off the blocks, maintaining low pad level and a center of gravity. Upon arrival, they both use their hands violently to disengage from blockers. Kikaha understands this extremely well, as hes a former black belt champion, and very well-versed in mixed martial arts and judo.

There is a lot to balance and core strength and fighting martial arts, and there is a correlation in that, Kikaha said. He event went as far as to say if the NFL doesnt pan out for him, a career in MMA may be in the cards.

Kikaha and Dumvervil were also sort of viewed as a one-trick pony, that being strictly a pass rusher extraordinaire. Kikaha didnt work out at the combine due to illness, and at the Senior Bowl, he looked like a fish out of water when it came to dropping into coverage, a requirement of the likely position **** play in the NFL, a 3-4 outside linebacker. However, by the time Washingtons pro day came around, he looked much more at home, according to CBS Sports analyst Rob Rang.

He improved as the day went on, looking very good in defensive line drills conducted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and much more comfortable in linebacker drills Thursday than he did a couple of months ago at the Senior Bowl, Rang said. Pittsburgh took production over athletic measurables in the 2013 draft when they took the nations leading sack artist, Jarvis Jones of Georgia, in the first round. Whether due to injuries, lack of playing time or a combination of both, thus far hes only flashed in sporadic moments, and the return on investment isnt yielding immediate dividends. The team again sorely needs help getting to opposing quarterbacks, so a Kikaha slide into the 2nd round or so may be in their favor, allowing them to grab perhaps his Washington teammate, cornerback Marcus Peters, or another piece to upgrade their ailing secondary in the first.

Dumervil heard the same questions heading into the 06 draft, and the critics were wrong, as hes morphed into a Pro Bowler and All-Pro. The Steelers even inquired about him after an error by his agent resulted in him becoming a free agent. Theyd be wise to not let lightning strike twice, as Kikaha likely has a massive chip on his shoulder.

Washington head coach Chris Petersen said to always expect the unexpected when it comes to his star pass rusher.

Hauoli always surprises me. He always comes up with something I dont expect, Petersen said. Hes a really hard-working guy. Really focused and an unbelievable student. Ill go down to the room on Saturdays and Sundays and if theres one guy Ill see down there at rare hours it is him.

• Quote
• MultiQuote
• Edit
• Report

[JRid]

I have a feeling Quinn loves this guy. He is very disruptive and relentless and his hand usage is off the charts. Quinn definitely loves guys with great hand usage and MMA training.

His injuries are a concern, but it's been awhile and he has produced a lot since the injuries.

[RHEC]

I have a feeling Quinn loves this guy. He is very disruptive and relentless and his hand usage is off the charts. Quinn definitely loves guys with great hand usage and MMA training.

His injuries are a concern, but it's been awhile and he has produced a lot since the injuries.

if quinn thinks he could play a role in our defense, he will be picked.

[Shaggy 2.0]

I liked the kid from the moment I pressed play on his highlight reel. I didn't know if whoever uploaded it had sped up the footage because the kid had such a fast get off and speed around the edge. The kid can play is he worth a 3rd due to the injuries. I'd say sure- depending on what we picked with the 1st and 2nd pick. Is he worth a fourth? Yes everytime! He has a great motor and he can play. Quality depth at worst. I can see him sliding but not as far as Dummervil. People still remember that. As Lon as he checks out medically- he will go either in the 3rd or fourth.

Edited April 13, 2015 by Shagpill 2.0

[AndySG]

If you can get him on day three then it's definitely worth a shot. He's been incredibly productive. How many late rounders pan out anyway? Maybe Kikaha struggles throughout his career with knee injuries; maybe he ends up being a productive pass rusher. It's worth the risk.

[Truth B Told (TRU)]

Running through the stats from the last two seasons of big-time college football, Hauoli Kikaha was an absolute terror hunting down quarterbacks from 2013-14 with 32 sacks. He recorded 19 last season, an FBS-best, to go along with 25 tackles-for-loss, ranking second in that category. But the question begs, why is such a productive player seemingly being pushed down draft boards? Is it due to his combine and pro day numbers, where he ran a lackluster 4.9 in the 40 and only 20 bench press reps? Or is it from not one, but two surgeries to repair his ACL on the same knee?

It conjures up memories of an almost exact same scenario that unfolded in the 2006 NFL Draft. Louisville defensive end Elvis Dumervil was fresh off a season that saw him rack up 20 sacks, including 15 in just five games, 22 tackles-for-loss and bring home some major hardware including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Ted Hendricks Award, Big East DPOY and a unanimous All-American. With all that production, Dumervil wasnt selected until the 4th round, a surprising free fall. Without question, it was due to his size, as hes listed at 5-foot-11 and 255 pounds. With 90 sacks to his name, its safe to say he was a missed pick, as the All-Pro just last year rewrote the single season sack mark for the Baltimore Ravens with 17.

When comparing the draft analyses of the two, there exists some very similar comparisons. Both are labeled as too small to play with their hand in the dirt as a 4-3 defensive end, with Kikaha being accused of lacking the ideal bulk requisite for the position, and often lets his 6-foot-2, 253-pound frame get swallowed up versus the run game. Another common trait between the two is their hip flexibility and bend, where both possess enough body control to dip and arc around the edge without losing their momentum, which leads to something both possess in large quantities and thats explosiveness. Both fire off the snap like a sprinter off the blocks, maintaining low pad level and a center of gravity. Upon arrival, they both use their hands violently to disengage from blockers. Kikaha understands this extremely well, as hes a former black belt champion, and very well-versed in mixed martial arts and judo.

There is a lot to balance and core strength and fighting martial arts, and there is a correlation in that, Kikaha said. He event went as far as to say if the NFL doesnt pan out for him, a career in MMA may be in the cards.

Kikaha and Dumvervil were also sort of viewed as a one-trick pony, that being strictly a pass rusher extraordinaire. Kikaha didnt work out at the combine due to illness, and at the Senior Bowl, he looked like a fish out of water when it came to dropping into coverage, a requirement of the likely position **** play in the NFL, a 3-4 outside linebacker. However, by the time Washingtons pro day came around, he looked much more at home, according to CBS Sports analyst Rob Rang.

He improved as the day went on, looking very good in defensive line drills conducted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and much more comfortable in linebacker drills Thursday than he did a couple of months ago at the Senior Bowl, Rang said.

Washington head coach Chris Petersen said to always expect the unexpected when it comes to his star pass rusher.

Hauoli always surprises me. He always comes up with something I dont expect, Petersen said. Hes a really hard-working guy. Really focused and an unbelievable student. Ill go down to the room on Saturdays and Sundays and if theres one guy Ill see down there at rare hours it is him.

Running through the stats from the last two seasons of big-time college football, Hauoli Kikaha was an absolute terror hunting down quarterbacks from 2013-14 with 32 sacks. He recorded 19 last season, an FBS-best, to go along with 25 tackles-for-loss, ranking second in that category. But the question begs, why is such a productive player seemingly being pushed down draft boards? Is it due to his combine and pro day numbers, where he ran a lackluster 4.9 in the 40 and only 20 bench press reps? Or is it from not one, but two surgeries to repair his ACL on the same knee?

Carolina Panthers Linebacker, Thomas Davis torn his ACL on more than one occasion and he is playing well.

[Heavy Hitter]

Carolina Panthers Linebacker, Thomas Davis torn his ACL on more than one occasion and he is playing well.

Yep. He won't slip because of skills.

Edited April 14, 2015 by Heavy Hitter

[O-Ther]

TD58 tore the right one 3 times, and is the only player to come back from 3 ACL tears in the same knee. So it's POSSIBLE to come back from 2, but if that 3rd one happens, it's not PROBABLE Kikaha will come back. There's always a chance, and I'm not saying he can't or won't, but the odds get worse every time.

[peterpiper]

Who? I thought this was a drink.

[LookAboutFalcon]

Drafting a guy who's torn up his knee multiple times sounds like something we would do in the 3rd round.

Truth

[Heavy Hitter]

Lance Zierlein compares him to Rob Ninkovich, but I see more Jason Babin or Chris Clemons. Kikaha #'s compared to Clemons :

Pro Day Results (Kikaha)*had flu during Combine

40-yard dash: 4.9 seconds

Vertical jump: 34 1/2 inches

Broad jump: 9 feet, 4 inches

Short shuttle: 4.33 seconds

3-cone: 7.13 seconds

Bench: 20 reps of 225 pounds

Combine Results (Clemons)

40-yard dash: 4.68 seconds

Vertical jump: 35 inches

Broad jump: 9 feet, 8 inches

Short shuttle: 4.66 seconds

3-cone: 7.48 seconds

Bench: 18 reps of 225 pounds

Edited April 14, 2015 by Heavy Hitter

[RHEC]

Lance Zierlein compares him to Rob Ninkovich, but I see more Jason Babin or Chris Clemons. Kikaha #'s compared to Clemons :

Pro Day Results (Kikaha)*had flu during Combine

40-yard dash: 4.9 seconds

Vertical jump: 34 1/2 inches

Broad jump: 9 feet, 4 inches

Short shuttle: 4.33 seconds

3-cone: 7.13 seconds

Bench: 20 reps of 225 pounds

Combine Results (Clemons)

40-yard dash: 4.68 seconds

Vertical jump: 35 inches

Broad jump: 9 feet, 8 inches

Short shuttle: 4.66 seconds

3-cone: 7.48 seconds

Bench: 18 reps of 225 pounds

Very similar.

[rounz]

That said, we might have hit our injury risk quota in free agency.

Ain't it the truth