2015 NFL Draft Results: Saints Select Hau'Oli Kikaha with 44th Overall Pick

The New Orleans Saints have selected outside linebacker Hau'Oli Kikaha from Washington with their 44th overall pick in the 2nd round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

Kikaha is now the second linebacker drafted by the Saints this year, so they're obviously dedicated to improving in that area. Especially considering two of them have been drafted with the first three picks.

There are definitely concerns about the two ACL surgeries he underwent in college, along with his 4.9 40-yard time in the Combine, but his pass rushing skills just cannot be ignored, with 13 sacks and 19 sacks the last two years respectively. No one has been more productive in D-1 football.

Here's a little more about the 6'2" 246-pound Kikaha, from WalterFootball.com:

Strengths:

Natural pass-rusher

Extremely consistent with sack production

Excellent in pursuit

Can bend around the edge

Has some pass-rushing moves

Good tackler

Closes quickly

Instinctive

Smart

Agile

Ready to play immediately in the NFL

Good motor

Can use his hands and feet at the same time

Great fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker

Durable

Experienced

Weaknesses:

Could stand to improve downhill run defense

Not overly big or physical

Quick, but not fast off the edge

Undersized

Can struggle in coverage

Scheme limitations

Too small for 4-3 defensive end

Not a great fit as a 4-3 outside linebacker

May not have the frame to get much bigger

Missed 2012 with a knee injury

Saints Draft Picks

• 13th Overall (Round 1) - Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
• 31st Overall (Round 1) - Stephone Anthony, ILB, Clemson
• 44th Overall (Round 2) - Hau'Oli Kikaha, OLB, Washington
• 75th Overall (Round 3)
• 78th Overall (Round 3)
• 148th Overall (Round 5)
• 154th Overall (Round 5)
• 187th Overall (Round 6)
• 230th Overall (Round 7)

Saints Remaining Team Needs

• Cornerback
• Linebacker
• Offensive Guard/Tackle
• Wide Receiver
• Quarterback of the future