What's the New Orleans Saints plan without Hau'oli Kikaha?

What’s the New Orleans Saints’ plan without Hau’oli Kikaha?

Sep 20, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) celebrates following a sack on Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Buccaneers defeated the Saints 26-19. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 21, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah (21) is tackled by New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Kasim Edebali (91) during the second quarter a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Kasim Edebali, #91

The favorite to start opposite Cameron Jordan in base defense, Kasim Edebali has worked his tail off to be in position to seize this opportunity. Edebali’s journey to the NFL is one of the most-unconventional to be heard, but he’s well-prepared to step into a starting role if needed in 2016.

Edebali may have the quickest first step on the entire team. Only Tull, a certified all-world athlete, could rival how quickly Edebali bursts off of the line to attack quarterbacks. He combines that with decent size (listed at 6-foot-2, 253-pounds) and some technical savvy to be a dangerous pass-rushing specialist.

Edebali was second on the team last year in sacks and compares remarkably well to former Saints end/beach brawler Junior Galette. Both players started out as undrafted rookies who struggled to get on the field, then saw their production climb with increased play time in succeeding years. The only difference is that Edebali’s ascension is moving at a faster rate than Galette, who only appeared in a handful of snaps initially.

If Edebali is as quick of a study as he looks and will be ready to roll by training camp, the starting job in place of Hau’oli Kikaha is his to lose.

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