OLB Hau'oli Kikaha

This guy will be one of the biggest steals in the draft, IMHO. Outside of Shane Ray, I don't think any other OLB can terrorize an opposing QB the way this guy can.

The reasons he's not being mentioned as a 1st rd prospect is because he's had 2 knee injuries in the past and he's seen as a "tweener" and just a pass rush specialist. 4-3 teams will see him as too small to be a full time DE, and won't want to spend an early pick on him. And in the 3-4, some question his ability to drop into coverage, as an OLB.

He didn't perform at the combine due to illness, but at Washington's Pro Day today, he ran the 40 in the 4.8-4.9...which may drop his stock a bit and he very well could be there when we pick at the top of the 4th rd (effectively a late 3rd). If he ran a 4.6 or better, he might be seen as a legit every down OLB prospect, but will now just be viewed as a pass rush specialist. Nevertheless, it would be a great pick there, IMHO.

Video:
Hau'oli Kikaha's Pro Day

 

I saw some draft notes that had us taking him in the 3rd. I thought surely he was a 4.6 or better athlete. The slower 40 times have a way of dropping guys despite their production. Mante Teo is a good example. If he ran a 4.6 or better, he is a Top 10 pick. He dropped a lot because of that.

So, I just think he slides farther than most would expect. With those 40 times, he really limited his role on a team. He'll be strictly a pass rush specialist, and I don't care what the draftnicks say, there wasn't any chance he was going to be a 1st rd selection with 2 ACL injuries, on the same knee, and seen as a pass rusher only. A late 2nd at best. Remember, our 4th is virtually a late 3rd rd pick.

If we like him, we might take him in the 3rd. But after those 40 times, I suspect it dropped him a full round or two. He must have a short range burst, because his get off is elite, as is his use of his hands.

 

Well, McCarthy was awfully solid his rookie season. Injuries has plagued him, since. Plus, you don't lead the NCAA in sacks without being pretty freakin' good. Derek Barnett and Curt Maggitt, at UT (both of those DE/OLB's will be 1st or 2nd Rd picks) were two of the best in the country and they had just over half of Kihaka's sack total . For a little perspective...they had more sacks and tackles for loss than Fowler, who went No.3 overall. It ain't easy piling up nearly 20 sacks in a college season, especially when opposing teams know how big a threat Kihaka is.

My guess is, the signing of Orakpo helped make that decision for us, and the Titans may not have had an early 2nd Rd grade on Kihaka, whereas DGB was widely considered to be a top 10 talent, if he hadn't had the off-field issues. I ain't gonna lie though. Listening to DGB in some of his interviews, he struggles to articulate his thoughts, and that makes me wonder if he will be slow to pick up the playbook/system. He might just be really nervous in front of cameras, and it seemed like he had a good support structure at home and Oklahoma...so, we'll have to see.

He definitely has the physical skills, but then, so did DaRick Rogers, when he played at UT. Thought for sure he was going to be a 1st Rd pick and a solid player in the NFL. But before his Junior year, he got kicked off the team for failing drug tests and had some maturity questions. So, I wonder if DGB isn't real similar in that regard.