Arizona Cardinals: Target OLB Hau’oli Kikaha?

By Dan Schmelzer | Apr 14, 2015

Allowing only 18.7 points per game, the fifth-lowest total in the NFL, the Arizona Cardinals had a great defense in 2014. Led by defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, the Cardinals’ attacking 3-4 defense was effective throughout the season.

Jan 21, 2015; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets new head coach Todd Bowles speaks during a press conference at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/NJ Advance Media for NJ.com via USA TODAY Sports

Bowles has moved on to be the head coach of the New York Jets, and while new defensive coordinator James Bettcher is expected to run the same style of defense, it is fair to wonder whether the Cardinals’ defense is due for a step back without Bowles in charge.

The most obvious area for improvement on the Cardinals’ defense is in the pass rush. The Cardinals struggled to get consistent pressure on the quarterback in 2014, as their 35 total sacks (ninth lowest total in the NFL) is proof of. Outside linebacker Alex Okafor led the team with eight sacks, not exactly an impressive total either.

Dec 21, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Alex Okafor (57) and cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) celebrate a play against the Seattle Seahawks at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 35-6. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Bowles is one of the most respected defensive coaches in the entire NFL. Losing him will be felt by the Cardinals. That being said, adding a more consistent pass rush is an area of improvement that could really soften the blow of losing Bowles.

The Cardinals added outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley in free agency. Woodley is a solid veteran player who has shown the ability to rush the passer in the past. However, he is entering the latter stages of his career and is not much of an upgrade over Sam Acho, who they lost in free agency.

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Adding a potential impact pass rusher is towards the top of the Cardinals’ need list entering the 2015 NFL Draft. With the 24th overall pick, the Cardinals have very little chance of grabbing one of the top outside pass rushers in this draft. Guys like Vic Beasley, Dante Fowler and Bud Dupree will probably be well out of their reach.

Edge rushers like Eli Harold or Owamgbe Odighizuwa could be in play for Arizona in the first round, but there could be better value available at that point. The Cardinals could be better off waiting a round or two to address their pass rush needs.

Luckily for them, there are some potentially dynamic pass rush prospects projected to go in the middle rounds of the draft. Hau’oli Kikaha sticks out as a great fit for what the Cardinals need.

Kikaha has been one of the most feared pass rushers in college football the past couple of seasons. As a senior at the University of Washington last season, Kikaha totaled an impressive 19 sacks, the most of any one player at the FBS level. He had 13 sacks during his junior season, totaling a staggering 32 sacks in a two-year span. Very impressive numbers.

In today’s NFL where teams are throwing the ball at a record-setting rate, you would think that a productive pass rusher like Kikaha would be a sure-fire first round pick. Unfortunately for him, that is not the case.

Kikaha is a bit of a tweener prospect. At 6’2″, 253 pounds, he lacks the size to play on the defensive line consistently. Also, while he is an explosive player, there are concerns about Kikaha’s pure speed and ability to play in space as an outside linebacker. Kikaha showed great pass rushing skills in college, but if he does not fit at any NFL position, it is hard to draft him very high.

There are also massive injury concerns, as Kikaha missed almost two full seasons in college with two separate ACL tears in his left knee. While his knee seemed to be just fine for him to dominate later in his college career, two major surgeries on one knee certainly raises red flags for his longevity.

On the field, Kikaha plays like a man possessed. He has a very quick first step off the snap, and a relentless motor that allows him to be in on plays that he has no business being around. Kikaha is a natural pass rusher who has a wide array of moves.

While he does lack straight-line speed, Kikaha is quick in short spaces, with good change of direction ability. He is not going to be an elite run stuffer, but Kikaha is a very tough and relentless player, which helps him be more effective than expected against the run.

Drafting a player like Kikaha is certainly a risk. The longevity of his career is in question, and his measurable are nothing to get excited about.

However, this guy just shows up on the field. Sometimes it is hard to measure what a player has, but in the simplest terms, Kikaha is a good football player. While he may struggle to adapt to the NFL level, his pass rush abilities and relentless attitude should allow him to be a productive player.

While risky, the Arizona Cardinals should look to address their lack of pass rush by targeting Kikaha in the second- or third-round. They should also consider another pass rusher so they are not putting all of their eggs in one basket, but based on ability on the field, Kikaha is a first round talent who will be selected later.

Next: Should Cardinals Target Talented, but Troubled CB Marcus Peters?

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