What’s the most important position on the defensive side of the ball?
The numbers and the money don’t lie.
For a while, edge rushers were the second-highest-paid position in the NFL on average and just recently wide receivers have moved into the No. 2 spot, but just barely.
So, it can be argued that an edge rusher is one of the most important and essential pieces on a roster.
Every team needs a quality guy that can get to the quarterback.
Enter Viliami Fehoko.
Named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year last season, Fehoko was a force on the San Jose State defensive line. The junior finished with 69 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, nine sacks, and consistently wreaked havoc in opposing backfields. He added 66 pressures, seven QB hits, and tallied at least one sack in six games, including five in a row.
One of the things that have made Fehoko so difficult to block is his versatility. At 6-foot-4, 265 pounds, Fehoko can play in multiple schemes and will find success in 4- or 5-technique situations, and can also play out of a 3-technique if needed. He’s proven effective in each and his strength is a big reason why.
Fehoko can fend off blockers with ease while staying alert and keeping his eyes in the backfield:
He has strong, violent hands and utilizes multiple moves including a smooth swim move and a mean rip to shed blocks. Fehoko also possesses a fluid spin move that showcases how light and quick he is on his feet for someone his size.
Boasting a 40-yard dash time of 4.73 seconds, Fehoko doesn’t struggle when he needs to run down a play from the backside or when he’s in pursuit. This is when his motor and acceleration are on full display – two things that stand out on film.
At times, though, this could come back to haunt him. As great as his pursuit is, Fehoko occasionally misses sacks or tackles because of an over-pursuit and fails to make a play in the backfield. And while he’s often able to get around the edge because of his first-step quickness and the use of his hands, he can get stood up at times, forcing his pad level to rise and not providing him much leverage – leverage that will be mandatory at the next level against bigger, stronger linemen. When caught in this position, the impact of Fehoko’s arm length is evident. His short wingspan won’t always allow him to gain needed separation.
For the most part, Fehoko has the physical attributes needed to find success in the league. He’s smart, adaptable, and his instincts are there. He’s a player that can disrupt any type of play on the field:
Right now, the California product is projected to be a Day 3 pick and, more specifically, a fourth- or fifth-round selection.
It’s hard to pinpoint a team that could land Fehoko because every team could probably use a versatile defensive lineman or an edge rusher. There are teams like the Seahawks or Broncos that are in dire need of someone to make plays off the edge, however.
Like all players, Fehoko obviously needs to clean some things up if he wants to make a 53-man roster or carve out a role. With the NFL Combine starting today and workouts coming later this week, Fehoko’s on-field and off-field skills will be on display as he hopes to make that happen.
