Netane Muti Roster Profile
Netane Muti was drafted by the Denver Broncos with the second pick in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Muti, played his college football at Fresno State, where he contributed for three years.
In this series we will examine:
- Muti’s prospect profile from our Head of College and NFL Draft Content Simon Carroll
- his productivity in college
- his potential opportunities in the NFL in the upcoming season
Prospect Profile
PRO’S: Oozing with strength and physicality. Wide, thick frame that holds his weight well and could probably add some more muscle mass. Knocks the wind out of defenders with his initial punch, and usually gives a similar second blow too. Jolts off the line in an almost scary fashion. Keeps low and gets under his opponent’s pads well. Plus athleticism for his size – excellent short area quickness allows him to get there quickly. Operates in space comfortably and is natural downfield or out on screens. Able to maintain grip throughout the rep.
CON’S: Technique a bit of a mess. Footwork is uncoordinated – if he can lose the wasted steps he’d bring even more quickness to his game. Hands can be erratic and strike point is wild. Balance is inconsistent – gets caught leaning when he tries to find someone to latch on to. College career decimated by injuries – he missed the 2016 season to an achilles injury, had another ruptured achilles that ended 2018, and needed surgery on a foot injury last year.
SIMON CARROLL: “If it weren’t for the durability concerns, scouts would be getting very excited about Netane Muti right now. His major flaws are a product of a lack of game action and can be corrected with coaching. But you can’t teach size or speed, and Muti has both of those. Sadly, the injury history will likely mean he is a high-upside day three prospect”.
Combine performance
After playing just five games combined in his sophomore and junior seasons, Muti was not medically cleared until the combine. With his injuries having been to the lower body, Muti did not participate in the majority of combine drills. However, he did impress in the one drill he participated in, the bench press, where he led all offensive linemen.
Opportunities at the next level
Netane Muti became something of a mythical being among draft analysts in the run up to the 2019 Draft. Muti missed roughly three quarters of his college career with injury, but NFL scouts saw enough in the games he did play to see significant potential. Muti is a mauler, he relishes the physical side of the game and shines on running plays.
Taking an interior offensive lineman on Day 3 is a free hit, even one with an injury history like Muti. The Broncos offensive line ranked 12th in the entire NFL in 2019. They boast second-year talent Dalton Risner at left guard, but could do with bolstering the right side, and will go into 2020 without centre Connor McGovern who left in free agency.
Muti will almost certainly play a limited role in his rookie season. Denver will hope that he can stay healthy and solidify his place on the Broncos roster. The potential is there for Muti to play a more significant role in the future, if he stays healthy. For a player with an injury list as big as his, it’s a big if.
Tom Scott
NFL Analyst
TOM WATCHED HIS FIRST EVER NFL GAME AT AN EX’S HOME IN NORTH CAROLINA IN 2013 AND “ENCOURAGED” TO SUPPORT THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS. ONE BREAK-UP AND FOUR YEARS LATER, HE SWITCHED ALLEGIANCE TO THE JETS AND HAS BEEN OBSESSED WITH THE GAME EVER SINCE. TOM CAN BE FOUND ON TWITTER AT @DOWNTHEMANNYRD