(2023) Siaki Ika-NT/DT-Baylor

Siaki Ika

NT/DT

6’4, 358

Junior

Strengths	Weaknesses
Space Eater Good Burst, First Step Explosiveness Size and Length to Close off Run Gaps Good Power	Can get Stuck on Blocks Rarely Fights Through Double Teams Reaction Time can be Slow

2022 Statistics (Per PFF)

*(Ranking is out of the 330 Defensive Linemen with 300+ Snaps this season)

2022 Statistic	Total	Ranking *	Rank Percentile
Pressures	18	T-105th	Top 32%
Sacks	0	T-259th	Bottom 22%
QB Hits	3	T-82nd	Top 25%
Hurries	15	T-83rd	Top 25%
Tackles	20	T-113th	Top 34%
Missed Tackle %	27.3%	T-317th	Bottom 4%

Write-Up:

Siaki Ika is a nose tackle prospect who has played the last two of his collegiate seasons at Baylor. Ika began his career as an LSU Tiger, and despite a solid freshman season found himself as the odd man out on the Tigers’ new 4-3 defense in 2020. He only suited up for 3 games that season, and afterwards entered the transfer portal looking for a better opportunity. Ika transferred to Baylor, where he put up career numbers in his 2021 junior campaign (33 pressures, 6 sacks, 16 tackles). The pressure numbers got many scouts excited about his potential as both a run-defending nose tackle and as a pass rusher (many made immediate comparisons to Vita Vea), but his 2022 season seemed to prove the hype was a little too much, as he finished with only 18 pressures and 0 sacks.

Siaki Ika does what is expected of a nose tackle quite well. He has the size to eat up space along the line of scrimmage. He can definitely fill 2 run gaps given the right circumstances. Length-wise, Ika can reach around blockers and make running through certain gaps a pain for opposing runners. In terms of his upside, Ika is a fantastic athlete for somebody that big. He possesses a great first step that allows him to explode off the line and quickly fill space. Ika has some pass rush upside, especially if he can develop some more power and add some moves to his arsenal.

But as of right now, Ika still needs to take that step if he is to become an every-down player at the NFL level. Specifically, he needs to improve as a pass rusher. Far too often he gets stuck on blocks and lacks the counter/block shedding moves to get himself free. And this issue does extend into his run defense as well. He can eat up space by being very hard to move, but he can struggle to actually make a play on the ball carrier, even despite his length. Ika also really struggles against any double teams, and only very rarely can he split his blockers.

Overall, Siaki Ika is a high-upside nose tackle that should find an immediate role as a run-stopper on early downs. However, he has the potential, thanks to his athleticism, to become so much more. This past season at Baylor was a regression for Ika in terms of his play, which makes it hard to project if he can take that next step in his development. 

Draft Projection:  2nd-3rd Round