Detroit Lions: 3 players to target on day three of NFL Draft

Leki Fotu, Defensive Tackle, University of Utah

The Detroit Lions need to realize that if the opportunity presents itself, adding Leki Fotu to the defensive line would be an excellent addition. The product of West Valley City, Utah, was ranked as a fourth-rounder by NFL dot com.

Fotu stands 6-foot-5, 330 pounds, and was a standout rugby player growing up, even playing for the United States national team. Fotu was a beast as a Junior with Utah; he would garner All-Pac-12 honors while registering 33 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks throughout fourteen games.

In his senior campaign, Fotu would accumulate 29 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and also two pass break-ups. Those numbers would earn him All-Pac-12 honors again, and earning third-team Associated Press All-American recognition on his senior season.

An injury would keep him from playing in the Senior Bowl, but he received the medical flag for the game He is a massive but still has the athleticism and good range down the line as a big man. He retains the size and power to drive through an edge and into the backfield.

On the flipside, Fotu has some negatives like being lethargic out of his stance at times. But the most concerning of his negatives is that he has only a little bit of upside as a rusher. For being such a big-bodied defender, he plays with a narrow base according to scouting reports.

However, Fotu has value as an early-down player with less upside as a rusher. He still offers quite the benefit as a selection on day three of the NFL Draft.