Cleveland Browns post-draft scouting report #2: Baylor Bears star DT Siaki Ika
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 29: Defensive lineman Siaki Ika #62 of the Baylor Bears reacts during the first half of the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Profile: Siaki Ika was born on November 8th, 2000 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Ika was ranked as a four-star recruit (138thnationally) coming out of East High School by 247Sports, originally heading to Louisiana State University as a early enrollee in January of 2019.
While at LSU for the 2019 college football season, Ika played as a rotational defensive lineman for the Tigers, being apart of the legendary 2020 LSU Tigers team with star QB Joe Burrow and WR Justin Jefferson that went onwards to winning the national championship that year.
For the 2020 college football season during his sophomore year, Siaki made the decision after three disappointing games to enter the NCAA transfer portal, joining the Baylor Bears.
Ika, from day one, made a giant impact for Baylor as a force of nature in the Big-12 conference. Ika made 24 tackles (six tackles for loss) and four sacks to become the Big-12 newcomer of the year and ultimately made the All-Big 12 second-team squad.
During the NFL Draft process, Ika was expected to go late 1st round – early 2nd round but fell due to many draft expectations that he wouldn’t effectively transition to the NFL as a 330lbs man, a big task for an even bigger man.
After being drafted by the Cleveland Browns at pick 98 during the 2023 NFL Draft, Ika has a lot of people to prove wrong and I believe he’s got the game for it.
Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT
Age: 22 years old
Arm Length: 32 3/8”
Hand Size: 10 ¼”
Height/Weight: 6’3”, 335lbs
2023 NFL Draft: 98th overall pick (3rd round) by the Cleveland Browns
Ideal Role: A true nose tackle that specializes in gap penetration; plays 3-technique and 0-technique effectively
Baylor Siaki Ika showed he was dominant at times. Strong hands, and is a hustle player who showed he can get to/affect the QB. pic.twitter.com/2T64j4KeaI
— Robert Cardona (@CARDONAFAM29) May 7, 2022
Strengths:
- Explosive first step with powerful hands for such a giant specimen; elite athleticism for his size
- Takes great angles to strike ball carriers; has incredible body control for a big man that will shutdown gaps
- Overpowers smaller players with ease; he’s always making light work look easy
- Amazing motor; always plays till the whistle is blown and plays with effort on every down
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Weaknesses:
- Terrible with handling double teams;
- Limited positional value & role;
- Lack of length to handle the most experienced of offensive linemen; small arms that allows him to get controlled when size and strength don’t work
- Plays with high pad level, which leads to his chest being opened to attacking offensive linemen
Career Stats: While at the University of Baylor, Siaki Ika made 4.5 career sacks and made 70 total tackles during his four collegiate football seasons.
Career Achievements: 2019 College Football Champion, 2021 Big-12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year, & 2x first-team All-Big 12 (2021, 2022)
NFL Combine Results: 5.39 40-yard-dash, 1.88 10-yard split, 7.8 3-cone drill, & a 4.99 20-yd shuttle
Fun Fact: At 335 pounds, Siaki Ika became the biggest player on the Cleveland Browns weight-wise
NFL Projection for Siaki Ika: Former Cleveland Browns DT Danny Shelton
Siaki Ika makes watching football more fun, somehow 🔥
Push the double team back in the pocket then casually turn heel, run 20 yards downfield at 358 pounds, and launch into a tackle…. pic.twitter.com/dZAK0t16an
— Oliver Hodgkinson (@ojhodgkinson) September 13, 2022
Final Verdict: A- draft grade; can become an key force on the defensive line if he develops properly
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