Kiko Mauigoa

Career StatsD

Year	Team	GP	Tkl	Sacks	INT
Career		12	45	—	—
2025		12	45	0.0	0

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

This Kiko Mauigoa signing represents a solid value play that earns a B+ CVI, landing squarely in steal territory for a depth linebacker with legitimate upside. At just $1.1M annually, the Jets are paying backup money for a player who profiles as a reliable rotational piece with special teams capabilities, making this the type of low-risk, high-reward move that smart front offices execute. The four-year term provides excellent roster flexibility while the minimal $400K guarantee means New York can move on without significant dead money if Mauigoa doesn't develop as expected. What makes this deal particularly shrewd is the contract structure — the Jets locked in a depth piece at a price point that leaves considerable room for Mauigoa to outperform his salary if he emerges as a more prominent contributor. This signing exemplifies how teams can build quality depth without breaking the bank, giving defensive coordinator Robert Saleh another versatile linebacker option while maintaining financial flexibility for bigger moves down the line.

Performance Analysis

Kiko Mauigoa grades as a rotational player among NFL linebackers — a below-average player at the position. His strongest area is tackling at 3.75 (near the NFL average of 3.80), ranking as near league average for the position. Tackles for loss, at 0.25 compared to an NFL average of 0.40, is where he falls short relative to the position. Limited games played (12 career) reduces confidence in this grade.

Current Sentiment

Kiko Mauigoa enters his first NFL offseason as an undrafted or late-round developmental linebacker for the New York Jets, carrying the modest profile of a depth player still working to establish himself on the roster. The recent release of veteran linebacker Jamin Davis has been noted by analysts as a meaningful signal that the Jets may be creating genuine opportunity for younger players at the position, which works in Mauigoa's favor. Media coverage has leaned into a compelling human interest narrative surrounding his Samoan heritage and the remarkable story of both Kiko and his brother Francis potentially suiting up in the NFL simultaneously, generating goodwill and name recognition beyond what his on-field résumé alone would command. There is no negative coverage, no injury concerns, and no controversy attached to his name heading into 2026, leaving his perception largely defined by potential and storyline rather than proven production. Fan and media sentiment is cautiously optimistic, viewing Mauigoa as a developmental piece worth monitoring rather than a guaranteed contributor, with his trajectory hinging entirely on standout performance during training camp and the preseason.