Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS Relentless. Bends the edge hard. Plays with his hand on the ground and stands up. Scheme versatile. Best fit is in 3-4. Intelligent player. Saw a streak of 14 consecutive games with a sack broken at Arizona in 2014. Excellent with his hands, possessing a variety of techniques. Was a judo champion when he was younger and a high school wrestler, so he understands hand placement and leverage. Good change of direction. Maintains low center of gravity on his rush without losing his wheels. Ability to recover and get back into a play.

WEAKNESSES Can get swallowed up in the run game at defensive end. Has had knee issues in prior seasons. Perceived as a one-trick pony (pass-rush specialist). Upfield specialist and doesn't set the edge consistently. Needs work on playing consistently in space. Gets overly aggressive at times. Has had two ACL injuries and medicals will need to be scrutinized.

DRAFT PROJECTION Round 2 or 3

NFL COMPARISON Rob Ninkovich

BOTTOM LINE Kikaha is the most accomplished pure pass rusher in this draft class. Relies on a relentless motor off the edge more than athleticism. He has an elite determination to get to the quarterback. While he seems to specialize in just rushing the passer, Kikaha has the power, hands and frame to improve against the run. It might take some work to get fully comfortable as a stand-up 3-4 OLB, but Kikaha is a very safe draft prospect as long as his medicals check out.

Hau'oli Kikaha Draft Profile

Hau'oli Kikaha talks about being drafted by New Orleans Saints




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Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

Our LB corps just got better in 2 days and we still have 2 more picks tonight. Let's do this!!!!

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

I freakin love it, Perryman and Petty in round 3

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

Gotta say I agree with Walt:

image: http://walterfootball.com/images/fball/saintsb_logo.gif

New Orleans Saints: Hau'oli Kikaha, DE/OLB, Washington: MAYMILLEN BOXING KIELBASA Grade
WHOA... I didn't even have Hau'oli Kikaha being drafted, and there were teams that didn't even have him on their boards because of numerous knee injuries. The Saints could've A) obtained safer players who are close in terms of talent, or B) waited several rounds to draft Kikaha. This is a major head-scratcher.


Read more at Live 2015 NFL Draft Grades - WalterFootball.com

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

Another solid, but not flashy pick. This may be the best Saints draft in a long time when looking at the early rounds. Picks like Colston in the 7th are one in a million. What winning teams do is consistently find solid starters in the early rounds Instead of a bunch of high risk high reward projects. I like this draft so far.

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

He was projected as a 2nd to 3rd round pick.
Hau'oli Kikaha Draft Profile

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

whats a saints draft with a roll of the IR dice. It is a family tradition.

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

I don't get taking Kikaha over Eli Harold. ACL injuries and 4.9 speed... We could've gotten him next round.

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

Wow. That was sick at 1:07 in the video by the OP. Love this pick. ACL's don't bother me. They are stronger after surgery. I know I have had one.

Our new Dome Patrol II OLB/DE ala Swilling / Jackson. Nice.

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

As someone that has had ACL surgery, I agree it has come a long way. This draft shows that Sean knows we had the worst LB Corp in the NFL last season.

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

Led the nation in sacks last year; I like it!

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

Can't argue about production. I could careless about his 40 time. There are tons and tons of crappy players who can run fast that enter the league every year just based on their measurable. At least we know this guy can play. Just look on our roster and at a guy like Junior Galette. He's by no means a burner... he just knows how to play and has a specific skill set that makes a big impact on the game.

Now with that all said, my only problem with the pick are his two ACL injuries. It makes me second guess the pick.

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

I think his injurys was from like 3 years ago and he hasn't been hurt since. 32 sacks in two years. Freaking monster pass rusher cant forget we got Anthony Spencer. So this is a great pick.

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

Production . Motor. I like this pick Fills need.Todd McShay likes him a lot.

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

Should we start printing DPII shirts now? :-)

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

Hes ok, but I dont buy into the hype to much. Ive seen games where he seemed lost or even tired. He has a problem being faked out also. Good pick, but needs alot of work to be a force in the NFL. Without a good coach and training I dont see him being anything special, but I like the pick. Just being realistic as I see it.

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

Slow down there Tonto, we're not likely to ever see another Dome Patrol. However this looks like an improvement over the recent clown patrol we've had at LB.

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

You mean last years blow patrol?

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

Yes, glad to see the over the hill gang replaced.

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

I see why sean payton liked him other than those sack numbers. Great Attitude will be a good influence in the locker room none the less

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

Payton wasn't bluffing when he talked about drafting character guys and changing the atmosphere in the locker room.

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

I love the pick. Pressure on the qb will make our DBs better plus Byrd healthy and Vaccaro will get out of the sophomore slump. There will be growing pains but the future on D looks a lot brighter.

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

Sounds like a Galette clone, but better versus the run and sans the twitter idiocy.

Possible SOLB?

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

Good pick. We needed to roll the dice and try to land a sack-master. Uses his hands and arms well and sometimes that's half the battle for a good pass-rusher.

And those reflective Huskies helmets look kinda dope!

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

Shelton a beast yeah but you gotta beleive due to our guys constant pressure. More runs had happened up the middle. That helped Shelton put up numbers like he did. Which our guy still had more tackles for lost.

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

can't wait to see him play. in a Saints UNI!

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

Hell yes.

Love the intensity.

TWO LBs in two days. This is my dream draft!!!

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

New Orleans Saints Linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha

Conference Call with Local Media
Friday, May 1, 2015

Can you talk about your draft process? How many times did you meet with the Saints? Did you take a visit here to New Orleans?

“First of all it has been an amazing experience and a long journey with me and my friends and everyone that brought me to this point. As far as the Saints are concerned, I met with them a few times and enjoyed all of our interviews. I did not go on a trip. I talked to the guys a fair amount and then it kind of stopped for a while and I wasn’t sure, but anyhow I am very excited to be a part of this organization and contribute where I can.”

You have a background in judo and wrestling, how does that help you as a pass rusher?

“The core fundamentals of those sports are based on balance, power and angles, and not to mention hand-fighting with judo and wrestling as well. All of those things go into what a pass rusher does, and practicing for over eight years has helped me develop all of those fundamentals that we translate on the football field.”

Did you ever consider competing in judo?

“I did actually, and further in other martial arts. My true love is football. I am going to go with this one until the wheels fall off.”

How frustrating were those back to back ACL tears?

“It was pretty hard for me to take. But they’re in the past and I’ve overcome those things along with my family’s help and support and Coach and friends that brought me through those times. It was a rough period, and I’m glad those are long in the past. I’ve been able to excel since then.”

Was it the same knee or different knees?

“It was the same one.”

Where do you best see yourself fitting in the NFL? Is it as 3-4 outside linebacker?

“I see myself on the field somewhere, playing wherever I can for the coaching staff. They know what’s best. I have a job to do, which is compete anywhere they place me. Hopefully they don’t put me at quarterback, but if I have to compete I will. I’m just happy to be part of this team.”

You don’t want to be on the other side of large men running at you trying to take you down?

“I just figured Drew Brees is kind of hard to compete against, but anything can be done I guess.”


Read more: Hau'oli Kikaha talks about being drafted by New Orleans Saints

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

Judo > Crossfit

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

That name alone means CHAMPIONSHIP!

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

Shelton owes Hauoli some money. This kids a pressure cooker I bet that was the original plan for 13 draft Shelton and Hauoli but Browns snatched him so payton made his choice (his friends son) I predict Hauoli puts up better numbers than Gallette.

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

Not only does he play like a beast, but his hair is majestic as f***! :D

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

He had 19 sacks last season ... :bugeyes: !!

Get this kid a helmet, pads and lets get to training camp!

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

Watch Shelton highlights and you'll see what he does when he's not getting the sack. He giving other people numbers to. Same thing for Stephone on Vic Beasley I gurantee you this how we ended up drafting them. All the hype around Vic and Danny they start noticing the ones helping with there success lmao

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

We have our own Troy Polamalu ....

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

cant wait to hear Bobby pronounce his name.

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

You may have had one, but did you play football on it? In most cases, while surgery can do wonders for the average person, it only allows football players to get back on the field faster, but after a while it starts to break down. I'm not a doctor, but the only injury I know of that gets stronger after healing is a clean break of a bone. This guy has not had one, but two knee surgeries. I want to like this pick based off his stats, but I'm real concerned about his ability to stay on the field.

Re: Saints select Hau'oli Kikaha in the 2nd round
 

The ACL injuries were in 2011 and 2012

He then went on to post 32 combined sacks in 2013 and 2014, that to me shows he has not suffered since the injury.