Saints’ Loss of Hau’oli Kikaha Could Devastate New Orleans Pass Rush

June 11, 2016   ·   Justis Mosqueda   ·   Jump to comments

According to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports 1, New Orleans Saints pass-rusher Hau'oli Kikaha tore his ACL in organized team activities, which likely means he'll end up on the injured-reserve list for his sophomore season in the NFL. Considering the personnel currently on the Saints roster, Kikaha's loss can have a huge impact on the team's defense, which already led the NFL in points allowed and finished second in yardage allowed in 2015.
Kikaha wasn't a defensive end for New Orleans as a rookie, as he played an off-the-ball linebacker role, but he was a pass-rusher in college, both as a 4-3 defensive end and 3-4 outside linebacker. Kikaha's transition from off the ball to on the ball in his second year is rare.
Usually, pass-rushing positions are considered more valuable than true linebacker roles, which is why players start as pass-rushers, then get moved off the ball, such as high-profile first-round picks Vic Beasley and Bruce Irvin in recent memory. Kikaha's move is the def...

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