Kikaha Breakdown

So, for any who care, I watched the majority of Kikaha's highlights and have a quick breakdown on him. I've seen some encouraging signs and also some indications of why he didn't go higher (outside of the injuries).

Positives - Extremely violent hands. People can talk all they want about the different factors for success as a pass rusher, but this might be the most important factor. Pass rushing is like boxing, it's all hands. Kikaha is a judo expert, and it really shows in how he attacks an OT's hands. All the great ones have good hands, huge positive (it's reason why I think Shane Ray will be the best pass rusher from this class).

He's also got that relentless motor that you have to have. Now granted this was from a highlight tape not a game film, but if that's indicative of his usual level of play then it's very encouraging. Lastly, he does move laterally very well. People have talked about his short shuttle, which I will agree is the more indicative drill in almost all positions as opposed to the 40, and his film belies his low short shuttle time.

Negatives - He plays extremely high and lacks the bend and dip you see out of most pass rushers. If you want to know where most pass rushers fail in the jump from college to the pros it's right here IMO. When an elite pass rusher in the pros comes around the edge he's gonna be at close to a 45 degree angle. It's all about dipping and driving through the OT's outside shoulder as opposed to just blowing around him. Try that move in college and you'll be fine. Try it in the NFL and some OT is just gonna send you flying behind the QB. You have to have the flexibility and lower body strength to get low and power through the OT. You have to have that first step and quickness, but then it's a helluva lot more strength than people think.

If he can stay healthy, develop better flexibility and work on his lower body strength he could be quite a pickup. One thing I will say is those are fairly coachable deficiencies so if he's willing to buy in, I'm all for it.