#Cowboys Could Draft Siaki Ika If They Are Interested In DL Help

Siaki Ika NFL Draft Scouting Report NT, Baylor Bears Baylor defensive tackle Siaki Ika projects as a versatile nose tackle at the NFL level. “Apu” Ika is predominantly an A-gap defender with delightful mobility for his stature, allowing him to flash as both a penetration player and as a space-eater in the heart of the defense. Ika’s ceiling is that of a starting nose tackle and his valuation will likely reflect that for better and for worse. Ika does well to retrace inside and surf down the line of scrimmage to flow and pursue the football in the running game. He’s at his best when he’s working hip to hip and then looking to flatten to the football. Length is an area that I can see being a limiting factor, as opposing offensive linemen can at times get into his frame and he does have inconsistencies anchoring against double teams in spite of his prototypical frame, low center of gravity, and hand power. Unless he is able to more consistently eat these reps at the point of attack, he will likely be viewed as a supersized penetration 1T at the NFL level and not someone who two-gaps and plays a facilitator role up front for his linebackers. Ika can undoubtedly serve as an NFL starter, but he’s going to need to either find more dynamic athleticism in order to warrant staying on the field on third downs or find better consistency in true anchor situations at the point of attack in order to unlock his full potential. TOP REASONS TO BUY IN: Uncommon athleticism for his size Raw strength to hold the point of attack Upside to cut weight and become even more dynamic Prototypical size to occupy and keep linebackers clean TOP REASONS FOR CONCERN Suddenness and agility are good for his size but not relative to all interior defenders Apparent lack of functional length poses challenges for block deconstruction