Rust (and Brett Veach) Never Sleeps: DT Siaki Ika signed

[T-post Tom]

�� BREAKING ��

The #Chiefs have signed defensive tackle Siaki Ika to their practice squad.

Per, @AaronWilson_NFL.@FourGuysInABar @TalkPrimeTime @BowTieSports_18 @ChiefsInsider pic.twitter.com/09TxLcRYnU

— Chiefs Blitz (@ChiefsBlitz) December 13, 2024

From the ashes:

Sika came into the league as a third-round pick by the Cleveland Browns in the 2023 NFL Draft. His tenure with the Browns got off to a shaky start, as he had a foot injury that was originally supposed to keep him out of action for two games. When Week 3 of the 2023 season rolled around, he wasn't ready as he needed to work his way up to game speed.

The Baylor product ended up being inactive for the first 13 weeks of the season. The Baylor product recorded 104 total snaps for the Browns, logging zero tackles and one pass deflection.

Ika was released from Cleveland in October and landed on the Eagles practice squad. He was there from October to November before landing with the Chiefs. Ika came into the league as a space-eater and run-stuffer who clogged up the middle of the defensive line. https://kckingdom.com/chiefs-sign-re...5-01jf2rq7j480


DRAFT PROFILE

Height: 6’ 3’’
Weight: 335 lbs
Arm: 32 3/8’’
Hand: 10 1/4’’

Overview

Girthy interior force with heavy hands and a combative nature at the point of attack. Ika is made for gap control with his wide frame and ready anchor. While he has the potential to become a highly effective block-eater as an odd or even front nose tackle, he’s quick enough off the snap to penetrate and disrupt play design if teams try to block him one-on-one. While he’s unlikely to see passing downs, Ika does have enough athleticism and hand work to challenge the pocket from time to time. If he’s able to manage his weight, Ika could become an early starter and help improve a leaky run defense.

Strengths

• Slams into first contact with excellent hip explosion and leverage.
• Initial punch drives through opponent’s pads.
• Good recognition against down blocks.
• Will require help to dig him out of gaps.
• Power and snap quickness to penetrate and ruin play design.
• Adequate initial slide quickness to create viable rush angles.
• Shoves and clubs blocker’s wrists and hands to eliminate the punch.
• Above-average athleticism for a player his size.

Weaknesses

• Needs to improve technique taking on double teams.
• Drops head taking on block and loses sight of the ball.
• Gets too far out over feet, causing some imbalance.
• On the ground too often against Oklahoma in 2022.
• Lacks change-of-direction quickness to tackle cutting runners.
• Noticeable dip in pocket pressure in 2022 as a pass rusher.

(From NFL.com)

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Originally Posted by kccrow

I really liked this kid in the draft. Maybe he'll turn it around here. He is an athletic guy for his size. It would be nice to hit on one of these project DTs.

It would be nice if he could replace Nnadi

[kccrow]

Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19

It would be nice if he could replace Nnadi

Nnadi has definitely cratered into nearly unplayable.

[scho63]

What the hell happened to Nnadi?

[PatMahomesIsGod]

Another guy Spags won’t play??

[tyton75]

Originally Posted by JPH83

I heard about him a lot in the draft, the thing that always dampens my enthusiasm a little with reclamation projects is when they've already been on a decent team. Eagles know what they're doing and moved him on, and his PFF stats were atrocious. Maybe a change of scenery helps? Add it to the churn and burn list and hopefully one of these guys shakes out. Not going to lie, a proper NT would be nice.

you could also argue that the Eagles have an embarrassment of riches at the position and didn't need him?

[Nightfyre]

I really liked this kid coming out of college. I wonder if the Chiefs can unlock him.

[jettio]

This kid is going to make sure that there are no more leftovers in the cafeteria.