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Quote:

Originally Posted by Marlboro Man (Post 401189)

Actually I like the pick. He may come on a lot sooner than people think.

he can't do any worse than what Ellis, Rodgers, Franklin did this year :mrgreen:

Looks like a great pick! I like what I've read about him.

Quote:

Originally Posted by |Mitch| (Post 401183)

Major NCAA violations result in probation for LSU football

LSU provided him with transportation and hotel room when they were recruiting him, so it wasn't his fault...

So the guy might just be our diamond this year?

Quote:

Originally Posted by FinSaint (Post 377898)

I would love them to draft a tall DT like,

Kheeston Randall
Akiem Hicks (might be a steal in the lower rounds, but a project for sure)
Derek Wolfe (might be my favorite and could be available in the 6th, has the ability to line up on various spots which should make Spags happy - DT/DE hybrid of sorts)

I'm very happy with this pick, I had him in my initial draft wish list in the mock draft thread - I have seen very favorable evaluations of him, which took into account the fact that he played in Canada, as to not give him an artificially inflated grades.

Quote:

Analysis:

Positives: Physically imposing frame with elite measureables ... long arms (35 inches) and a huge wingspan (84 inches). Surprising athletic ability for a player his size with rare movement skills. Explosive hitter and looks to wrap and drive the ballcarrier into ground ... led the team in tackles and sacks as a senior. Has a strong build with raw power to redirect blockers and overwhelm at the point of attack. Offers versatility with experience playing at defensive end and defensive tackle and shows the overall skill-set to line up in various formations ... oozes with upside and potential.

Negatives: Extremely raw with below average playing experience against top competition ... two seasons at the Community College level and two years playing at a University in Canada. Plays too upright, allowing for his pad level to rise and struggles to naturally bend ... tough for a player his height and frame to use consistent leverage. Tight athlete with stiff ankles ... not overly fluid and initial explosion is nothing special. Needs a lot of technique work with his hands and footwork, showing very unpolished fundamentals. Needs to play with a consistent motor through the whistle, finishing plays with the same effort. Has questionable practice habits and football IQ with some character concerns as well. -- Dane Brugler

Akiem Hicks, Regina, NFL Draft - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

The consensus seems to be we picked him early but you can't teach his size. Hopefully he thrives under Spags and can work his way into the rotation.

Saints selected Regina DT Akiem Hicks with the No. 89 overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

Hicks began his college career at LSU, where he was rated as a better recruit than No. 14 overall pick Michael Brockers. Transferring to Regina in Canada, Hicks came on with 6.5 sacks as a senior and generated some buzz during East-West Shrine Game practices. Hicks is 6-foot-5 and 318 pounds, and he possesses freakishly long 35 1/8-inch arms. He's a very high-upside project.

Per rotoworld

He's raw but Spags will whip him into shape. Canada, UM

Obviously no one knows how a player is going to actually turn out, but who didn't scratch his head when Parcells picked Demarcus Ware out of Troy with the 11th overall?

I didn't think I'd be in the minority when I thought this after the Saints picked Hicks, but I guess I am. I'm totally unimpressed with the pick. Not because he doesn't have potential, which he does, but because we didn't have a need so great at DT that we had to draft yet another project when there were more proven players at other positions of need. Loomis has hit some home runs with these types of players, as we all know, but he's also struck out a few times. I thought there were some very good players surprisingly left on the board, but apparently they are in love with this guy.

We don't have very good OT's. They're serviceable, but require a lot of help from the tight ends which takes away from the amount of time Jimmy Graham can be on the field. Bobby Massie was right there, and they didn't take him. Jared Crick, a more polished DT, was there, Ladarius Green was there if the Saints were interested in some play making depth behind Graham. But oh well, all I can do is hope it works out.

Would have been fine with picking him if it were maybe the 5th or 6th round, but this was a reach in my opinion.