The Las Vegas Raiders are adding depth to their defensive line by signing former Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Leki Fotu, according to a report from NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero.
Fotu had recently met with the Buffalo Bills during the offseason but ultimately chose to sign with Las Vegas. A fourth-round selection by the Cardinals in the 2020 NFL Draft, Fotu was drafted after a standout college career at Utah, where he earned two All-Pac-12 honors and was recognized as a second-team All-American at midseason.
During his four-year stint with Arizona, Fotu appeared in 56 games, making 21 starts. He consistently stayed in the rotation, playing in double-digit games each season while wearing a Cardinals uniform. After his time in Arizona, Fotu signed with the New York Jets ahead of the 2023 season. Unfortunately, his year with the Jets was hampered by injuries, as hamstring and knee issues limited him to just two appearances throughout the season.
Now healthy, Fotu will join a Raiders defensive front that features standout players like Christian Wilkins and Maxx Crosby. His addition is expected to strengthen Las Vegas’ run defense, bringing size and experience to the interior of their line.
The 6-foot-5, 335-pound Fotu is known for his ability to clog running lanes and occupy blockers, creating opportunities for linebackers and fellow defensive linemen to make plays. Though primarily viewed as a run stopper, Fotu showed some pass-rushing ability in his final year with the Cardinals, recording 2.5 sacks.
Interestingly, the Raiders are not scheduled to face the Cardinals during the 2025 season, so Fotu won’t have a reunion game against his former team unless a preseason matchup is scheduled or both sides meet in the postseason.
In joining the Raiders, Fotu returns to the desert, this time slightly further north in Las Vegas. He’ll now aim to re-establish himself as a reliable force on the defensive line, contributing to a talented Raiders front seven looking to make an impact in the upcoming season.
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