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Utah Football: Predicting where Utes will land in 2020 NFL Draft

By Dante Pryor

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 02: Jaylon Johnson #1 of the Utah Utes intercepts a Jacob Eason #10 of the Washington Huskies pass and returns it for a 39 yard for a touchdown during the third quarter of the game at Husky Stadium on November 02, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Utah Utes top the Washington Huskies 33-28. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 02: Jaylon Johnson #1 of the Utah Utes intercepts a Jacob Eason #10 of the Washington Huskies pass and returns it for a 39 yard for a touchdown during the third quarter of the game at Husky Stadium on November 02, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Utah Utes top the Washington Huskies 33-28. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 29: Defensive lineman Leki Fotu of Utah runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 29, 2020, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 29: Defensive lineman Leki Fotu of Utah runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 29, 2020, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Leki Fotu. 5. player. 10. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. NT. Utah

Leki Fotu is the last Utah Ute player that is a sure-fire draft pick. Like Bradlee Anae, his value drops because he is not an every-down lineman in the NFL. Though he played defensive tackle primarily at Utah, he projects as a zero-technique nose guard in the NFL.

The benefit to players like Fotu is they are space eaters. They take on two linemen so either other linemen or linebackers can make plays. For this reason, the scheme fit is important. Fotu’s value is for a team that uses a 3-4 base front.

Fotu’s wide frame and natural strength are perfect for a 3-4 defense. Both will allow him to eat two blockers and even split them at times to make a play in the backfield. He is not just big and strong either.

He has good get off on the snap and has good feet. There were times when the tape did not always match the athletic prowess; especially in big games. He did not play nose in college so there is a learning curve there. Also, do not expect much in the pass rush department.

With D.J. Reader headed to the Bengals, Fotu makes a lot of sense for the Texans in the fourth round with pick 111 or the fifth if they think he is still on the board that late.

Projection: Fourth or fifth round (Texans)

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