Akiem Hicks to Saints: Video Highlights, Scouting Report and Analysis

Akiem Hicks is a risky pick, but also an intriguing one.

Hicks' draft stock suffered because he played collegiate football in Canada, but in 2009 he was one of the top junior college recruits in the U.S. and chose LSU.

Hicks sat out the 2009 season because of recruiting violations involving improper transportation and living arrangements, and ultimately transferred to the University of Regina in Saskatchewan.

The 6'5", 318-pound defensive lineman led the Rams with 42 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 2011 and earned an invite to the East-West Shrine Game as well as the NFL Scouting Combine.

Read on for more info on Hicks.

Strengths

Hicks' most apparent strength is the tale of the tape.

He's got 35-inch arms coming out of his 6'5", 318-pound frame and those arms spread to an 84-inch wingspan.

Hicks can play both defensive end and defensive tackle. He uses his athleticism and agility to be a disruptive force in the backfield and finishes the job as a tackler.

If it weren't for the recruiting mess at LSU, it's conceivable that Hicks would be as highly touted as would-be LSU teammate Michael Brockers. They have the same body frame and versatility on the defensive line.

Weaknesses

Hicks is considered raw and his technique needs a lot of work.

This is mainly because of the level of competition he faced in college. He essentially went from Sacramento City College to Canada, the land of 110-yard fields and "rouges."

Instead of being an NCAA athlete, Hicks was a Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) athlete. The University of Regina played in Canada West, not exactly a BCS conference.

The term "character concerns" is never too far from Hicks' name in scouting reports, but if the extent of those character concerns are his involvement in the recruiting violations at LSU, most teams can live with that. There's enough blame to go around in that situation.

What the Experts Are Saying

CBSSports.com:

"

Surprising athletic ability for a player his size with rare movement skills. Explosive hitter and looks to wrap and drive the ballcarrier into ground. ... Needs a lot of technique work with his hands and footwork, showing very unpolished fundamentals. ... Has questionable practice habits and football IQ with some character concerns as well. ... oozes with upside and potential.

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NFL.com:

"

Hicks has the frame to fit in nicely, not only at DT but potentially outside at end in a 3-4 scheme. ... He is athletic in open space, and this is where his value is most evident. He has NFL-caliber size, agility and burst off the ball.

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Pro Football Weekly:

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Did not dominate Canadian competition.

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NFL evaluator via Pro Football Weekly:

"

He's nothing special, but there are not a lot of big guys that can move as well as he does. When you hear his story (about his time at LSU), it makes you a little nervous. When you find out that he came from the states and did not come up playing Canadian football, you expect more than what you see.

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National Football Post:

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Has the size, power, first step and length to be an NFL lineman. Needs to work at his trade, but is an ideal mid/late round boom or bust type guy.

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Projected Rookie Impact

Hicks might experience some culture shock going from Canadian college football to the NFL. He'll have a lot to learn and will have to fight for a job during training camp. Even if he survives every cutdown day, he's unlikely to start as a rookie.

Hicks isn't being drafted to make an impact this season. He's being drafted for what he can do if he develops in Year 2 or Year 3.

Still, in his limited playing time, Hicks might bat down a pass or two and register on the Richter scale with a couple of his tackles just so people remember his name.