Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Raiders sign depth defensive tackle to help run defense

Originally posted on Dice City Sports | By Derek Hegna | Last updated Mar 25, 2025 10:00 AM ET

The Las Vegas Raiders have placed a heavy emphasis on depth this season.

Far too many positional groups suffered as a result of injuries in 2024, with far too many significant pieces missing good chunks of the season. On the defensive line, in particular, the Raiders ended the season without star pass rusher Maxx Crosby or big free agent acquisition Christian Wilkins. Adam Butler and Zach Carter, who stepped up in the absence of both players, have already been re-signed, but the Raiders still needed more to keep their depth from taking too much of a hit again.

On Monday, the Raiders got a little deeper in the trenches.

The Raiders have agreed to a deal with Leki Fotu for the 2025 season.

According to Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the Raiders have signed veteran defensive tackle Leki Fotu to a contract.

The @Raiders are adding to their defensive line by coming to terms veteran Leki Fotu

— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) March 24, 2025

Fotu was never able to get out of the starting blocks in 2024, as his season with the New York Jets was derailed by two stints on the injured reserve list due to hamstring and knee issues.

However, Fotu enjoyed plenty of success with the Arizona Cardinals prior to that. A fourth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Fotu worked his way up the depth chart in Arizona before starting 18 games with the team in 2022 and 2023. In 2023, Fotu finished with career highs in sacks (two and a half) and tackles for loss (five).

Now, Fotu heads to Las Vegas as a depth signing and rotational run-stuffer.

Hopefully, Wilkins is healthy enough to lead the charge for the Raiders. Butler, as well as waiver claim revelation Jonah Laulu, join Fotu as rotational options. Carter and 2022 fifth-round pick Matthew Butler round out the depth chart in case of injuries.

Fotu is hoping to shake off his lost 2024 season, and the Raiders have the opportunity to help him do exactly that.

This article first appeared on Dice City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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