Mid Round Prospect : Kai Nacua

[Ace_Aladdin]

The draft is almost here and there is ton of excitement for the 1st round pick(s) but there are sleepers in this draft that will fall for Panthers to pick up

My guy is Safety from BYU Kai Nacua

 

Quote

https://www.profootballfocus.com/nfl-draft-safety-rankings/

4.115  SS: KAI NACUA | 6'-2" 211 LBS 

PFF #8:  Kai Nacua (BYU)

BYU has quietly been a pipeline for some impressive defensive players over the years. Ezkiel Ansah standing out among the most recent. There’s a good chance Kai Nacua will be the next one on that list. In a loaded safety class, he’s been a name that continues to fly under the radar. That’s incredible to think about given his 6’2″ size and hard-to-miss speed on the field. Oh, and there is also the 12 interceptions he’s produced over the past two years.

Nacua is a robber in the passing game. Quarterbacks are wise to know where he’s lined up on every snap because if they lose track of him, he tends to make them pay with a turnover. That being said, Nacua doesn’t shirk his other duties. He’s a reliable tackler who played a little linebacker at times and shows the capacity to blitz. His instincts are tailor made for the position. He’ll have to prove it against better QBs though.

 

 

[Ace_Aladdin]

9 minutes ago, #PanthersKing said:

Who

Somebody who is going to be a steal

 

Quote

http://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2017/04/07/scouting-report-byu-safety-kai-nacua/

His full name is Kaimana but he goes by Kai.

Brigham Young safety Kai Nacua played high school football at Liberty High School in Las Vegas, Nevada and was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe award in 2016, which is awarded to the nation’s best defensive back.

Nacua had as many career interceptions in college as Chiefs safety Eric Berry did coming out of Tennessee. He also played in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

Nacua may carry the reputation of being a dirty player for a brawl that occurred against Memphis in the Miami Beach Bowl in 2014. In 2016 versus rival Utah, he was ejected from the game for a targeting penalty that was hardly the correct call. His coach Kalani Sitake was so upset that he was on the field screaming and was flagged himself.

INFO & MEASURABLES

Name: Kaimana “Kai” Nacua
Position: Safety
School: Brigham Young University

Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 211 pounds

Games played: 38
Total tackles: 165
Tackles for loss: Eight
Interceptions: 14
Passes defended: 12
Forced fumbles: One
Fumble recoveries: One

Combine / pro day

40-yard dash: 4.5 seconds
Vertical: 39 inches
Broad jump: 10 feet, seven inches
Bench press: 15 reps
Three-cone: 6.84 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.14 seconds
60-yard shuttle: 11.70 seconds

PLAYER BREAKDOWN

Strengths

Kai Nacua has NFL size and physicality. He is explosive as a hitter and when he gets his hands on the football he is a threat to return it for a touchdown every time. He shows versatility when he is asked to do different things in the secondary.

When he is on the field he made a noticeable difference in the BYU defensive back group. That goes to show his ability as a leader. Two seasons in a row he has tied the school record for interceptions in a season. He has proven doubters wrong and shown NFL caliber speed and athleticism.

Weaknesses

Sometimes he goes to return the football when he shouldn’t. Other times he has balance issues when he has the football in his hands. Prior to his pro day, teams seemed to doubt his speed and some of them still question if he has NFL-caliber speed.

I’d like to see him rushing the passer more often. He’s not much of a tackler when it comes to coming up and closing on running backs when you consider how vicious he is against opposing wideouts. He doesn’t take on lead blocks as well as he will need to in the NFL.

GAME TAPE

2016 @ Utah
2016 vs. Mississippi State
2015 vs Boise State
2015 @ Missouri
2015 vs. Fresno State

QUALITY TRAITS

Thank you to KSL Sports and BYUTV for the film.

Ball hawk

Nacua has a nose for the football. In 2015 he had two interceptions returned for touchdowns. He has 14 career interceptions which speaks to his ball skills.

This pick-six against Fresno State shows off ball skills, good balance, and vision while returning the football.

Hard hitter

To go with his good ball skills, if Nacua is unable to make an interception he has no problem putting you into the dirt. The first play here was a play that found Nacua ejected. Refs called it targeting and in real time it may have looked like it, but this is the definition of a clean hit.

The second play is just a good football hit. Nacua knocks the ball loose and hits the receiver square in the strike zone.

Final grade

Size: 1
Strength: .7
Speed: 1
Football IQ: 1
Technique: .7
Balance: .7
Recognition: 1
Durability: .8
Character: .6
Ball skills: 1
Total grade: 8.5/10

Round grade: Round two

Potential with the Kansas City Chiefs

Nacua has Kansas City Chiefs ties with coach Andy Reid being a BYU alum. Reid always has their players on his radar. Additionally, Chiefs safety Daniel Sorensen played at BYU.

Nacua sports a great combination of athleticism and production that is rivaled by very few safeties in this draft class. Unfortunately he has largely been forgotten in the pre-draft process prior to his pro day which opened the eyes of scouts.

The Chiefs could use Nacua to push developmental safety candidates like Eric Murray and the newly added Marqueston Huff. Nacua would be best utilized in the Chiefs’ scheme as the deep safety when they line up in an alignment that requires one.

Ultimately, were the Chiefs to take a player like Nacua, it would have to be a luxury and value type of selection as they’ve already invested a ton of money in their safety group during this offseason by re-signing Eric Berry and extending Sorensen.

Currently most draft outlets have Nacua ranked as a late rounder or priority undrafted free agent. I believe his talent exceeds those rankings.

 

[Ace_Aladdin]

Just now, #PanthersKing said:

Looks like a FS to me. If we are considering a FS, then go Hooker at 8.

He can play the run as well not just good as his coverage skill.

Saw him play against MSSTATE, this guy is a complete Safety with little bit of experience.

Definitely take Hooker over him but its Fournette or OJ Howard with One  for me!

[Bronn]

I like Nacua. But, like a lot of late round safeties, there are just too many good ones ahead of him.

I think at least 20 DBs could come off the board by the end of round two. Maybe even 26. That is strong.

[Ace_Aladdin]

2 minutes ago, #PanthersKing said:

Would take him in the 6

He was projected low but his 4.5, 40 time has him rising a lot.

4-5 is his range poss billy at end of the 3rd.

He has good traits & instincts like Bradberry, would make a lethal combination

[Ace_Aladdin]

Just now, #PanthersKing said:

He won't find they field this season. Lucky I found he makes someone's ST

I disagree, he will see the field especially with his 40 time and tangibles.

-instincts

-size

-speed

-coverage

-run support

-interceptions

[Ace_Aladdin]

http://mia.247sports.com/Bolt/Report-Dolphins-host-BYU-safety-Kai-Nacua-52455154

[Leeroy Jenkins PhD]

I was listening to a podcast with a BYU scout who said Nacua's 40 time was completely unexpected because he plays much slower on the field FWIW. 

[Leeroy Jenkins PhD]

Then again, that is what rounds 4-7 are for right?

[Jimmy]

If one of his actual weaknesses is game speed (with pads) I can guarantee Gettleman will pass on him. It's one of his biggest bugaboos