The Bengals nose tackles DJ Reader and Josh Tupou are both slated to hit free agency this off-season. Today we will be working under the assumption that the Bengals do not bring either of them back and are looking to start over at the position.
Does this draft present viable options for the Bengals to replace them? Luckily it does, let’s explore one of those options.
Let’s talk about Baylor nose tackle, Siaki Ika. The first thing that many will notice is his size. He is listed at 6’4, 358 pounds. To put it simply, he is a massive human being. Ika is born to stop the run, he can eat double teams with ease and still make stops.
Siaki Ika eats the double team, is able to split it and make the stop for a short gain. pic.twitter.com/bO0EyVM6Rx
— Tyler Browning (@DiabeticTyler) September 16, 2022
Not only is he a run stuffer, he has shown the ability to rush the passer.
Siaki Ika showing the cross chop and works his way into the backfield and combines for the sack pic.twitter.com/cWcHeb3d3G
— Tyler Browning (@DiabeticTyler) December 8, 2022
Ika👀👀 head fake to sell he is going inside, hits him with an outside swim move. Gets the sack. pic.twitter.com/x9ieHov4yt
— Tyler Browning (@DiabeticTyler) December 8, 2022
He can collapse the pocket with his power on a routine basis, he has shown he can be on the field for prolonged periods of time. The most surprising thing from his film, is even at 6’4 he has shown the repeated ability to gain leverage on offensive linemen.
Ika again. Once he feels the center slide away from helping with him, it’s over. Ika has leverage on the guard and is work his way into the backfield for sack 2 of this game. pic.twitter.com/fXYsepTkR3
— Tyler Browning (@DiabeticTyler) December 8, 2022
Now let’s talk about his weaknesses. And for the role he should be asked to play, it’s not a very long list. His explosiveness isn’t all that great, but when you take into account his size; it really changes your prospective on it.
He doesn’t have the deepest of toolboxes when it comes to pass rushing moves, but then again that is not the role he should be playing. He should be a 0-1 technique whose priority is stopping the run and who can collapse the pocket with his power.
Ika is someone the Bengals would have to take in the first round, as he will not last until the second round at pick 60. However, if the Bengals are serious about replacing DJ Reader, Ika is one of the best options in the class.
