Viliami Fehoko NFL Draft Overview
Position: Edge Defender
Height: 6′-4″
Weight: 276 pounds
School: San Jose State
2023 NFL Draft: Viliami Fehoko Scouting Report
After spending the past five seasons at San Jose State, Viliami Fehoko has decided to declare for the 2023 NFL Draft. This decision on the heels of a phenomenal season, as the edge rusher finished his final season in the college football ranks with 69 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles, and one pass defended.
Viliami Fehoko originally entered the college football ranks back in 2018, but he didn’t truly break out until the 2020 campaign. During that COVID-impacted year, Fehoko recorded 36 tackles, six sacks, and one pass defended. He proved that performance wasn’t a fluke in 2021 when he recorded 37 tackles, seven sacks, three forced fumbles, and six passes defended throughout the year.
Strengths
- Rough, physical player that has no issues imposing his will on opposing tackles;
- Plays every snap like its his last – one of the strongest motors in the class;
- Impressive cuts and ability to use quickness to get past his tackle;
- 44 tackles-for-loss over the past two seasons show he can make an impact in the run game;
- Possesses various pass rushing moves that should keep blockers on their toes.
Weaknesses
- Small for the position – will need to add weight;
- Rushes can get a little wild, which leads to poor fundamentals;
- Impressive production numbers are somewhat inflated by lesser competition;
- Nothing special athletically – puts a ceiling on his potential;
- Might have to move from edge to a more of a linebacker role if adding muscle sacrifices his speed.
NFL Comparison: Frostee Rucker
Teams With Need at Position: Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks
Projection: Rounds 4-5
Bottom Line on Viliami Fehoko
Viliami Fehoko is an interesting player that is going to have a tough time finding a starting role in the NFL. Of course, he will get the opportunity to prove people like me wrong, as he was one of the most productive players in college football over the past two seasons. The edge rusher plays the game with the type of ferocity and passion that you absolutely love to see in a prospect, and this physical style of play helps him bully offensive tackles and get after the quarterback. He also doesn’t shy away from run duties, and his high motor ensures that he’s never going to give up on a play.
Heart is obviously important in projecting NFL success, but you do need the physical tools to win a job at the highest level. Unfortunately, Viliami Fehoko falls short here, as he’s nothing too special athletically, and his current build does not bode well for his professional future. He lacks the size to be a true edge, and he’ll need to add a lot of weight if he wants to hold up to NFL-caliber offensive linemen. If he can’t do that, then he’ll just be an average situational pass rusher. Additionally, his aggressive style of play is a double-edged sword, as he sometimes goes too hard and forgets his fundamentals.
Ultimately, Viliami Fehoko has some film that will make a team justify a mid- or late-round selection in the NFL Draft, but he has too many shortcomings to expect him to be anything more than an adequate rotational player.
Main Photo: Carl Edmondson – USA Today Sports
