Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Leki Fotu quietly has found himself in position to win a starting role on the team’s new defense. The key might be limiting his role while increasing it.
He is listed as the team’s No. 1 nose tackle. He was used that way in the team’s preseason opener.
It was the only way he was used on Friday. He played nose tackle in base defensive sets and came out for nickel packages in the few snaps the starters were on the field.
The 6-foot-5, 334-pound defensive lineman has not been limited to the one role since college.
He was drafted in the fourth round in 2019 out of Utah. He was used exclusively as a space-eating nose tackle.
However, his raw athleticism and movement skills led the Cardinals to believe he could be much more than a nose tackle. He rarely lined up as a nose tackle, especially with fellow fourth-round pick Rashard Lawrence playing there.
However, Fotu’s impact in three NFL seasons has been minimal.
It appears that head coach Jonathan Gannon has focused on Fotu playing nose tackle only, allowing him to potentially thrive as the guy he is and not worry about the player he didn’t become.
He has the size to be good. He did it very well in college.
Of the defensive linemen the Cardinals returned from last season, Fotu was probably the one least likely to make the team and contribute.
It turns out he might be a starter now.
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