Detroit Lions ink young offensive lineman to a futures contract.
The Detroit Lions made an announcement on Tuesday regarding their signing of former Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Netane Muti to a futures contract. Muti had concluded the season on the Raiders’ practice squad, and as he wasn’t offered a futures deal by Vegas following the end of their season, he became a “street” free agent eligible to sign with any other team immediately.
At 24 years old, Muti was a sixth-round pick of the Denver Broncos in the 2020 draft. During his three seasons in Denver, Muti started four games – two at left guard and two at right guard – and appeared in a total of 20 games. In late 2022, the Raiders acquired Muti from the Broncos’ practice squad, and he has since been in and out of the Vegas roster/practice squad.
Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 307 pounds, Muti is known for his physicality in the run game. During his college years at Fresno State, where he played both tackle and guard, he contributed to a productive run game for the Bulldogs, who averaged 155.0 rushing yards in 2017. However, his college career was marked by injuries, including two season-ending Achilles injuries in 2016 and 2018.
The Lions head into the 2024 offseason with uncertainties regarding their guard positions. All three potential starters – Jonah Jackson, Graham Glasgow, and Halapoulivaati Vaitai – are set to become unrestricted free agents, although there’s interest from the Lions in re-signing Glasgow. Last offseason, they discussed bringing back Jackson as well.
Despite this, the Lions seem focused on bolstering depth at the position. They’ve already signed Michael Niese and Matt Farniok to futures contracts, and Kayode Awosika is expected to return as an exclusive rights free agent.
In essence, Muti will face stiff competition when offseason activities commence in April.
Thus far, the Lions have signed a total of 13 players to futures contracts: RB Jermar Jefferson, RB Jake Funk, WR Tom Kennedy, WR Maurice Alexander, WR Daurice Fountain, OT Connor Galvin, G Matt Farniok, G Netane Muti, G Michael Niese, DT Chris Smith, EDGE Mitchell Agude, CB Craig James, and S Brandon Joseph.
