Mile High-bound for former Fresno State guard Netane Muti. Broncos take him in Round 6
Netane Muti is Denver bound.
The Broncos selected the Fresno State standout guard in the sixth round (181st overall) of the NFL Draft on Saturday.
“I think I’m the best guard in this class,” Muti said. “I feel like they really got a steal. I’m just excited. I’m ready to give Broncos (fans) my all and go out there, learn from the older guys in the O-line room and just be a part of the family and just win games. I’m just excited.”
Said Fresno State coach Kalen DeBoer: “Just got off the phone with him and he’s fired up. He’s going to make the most of this opportunity we all know that.”
Pro Football Focus rated Muti as one of the top interior offensive lineman in the draft despite being limited because of injuries.
PFF rated Muti ahead of Tyler Bladasz of Wisconsin, Creed Humphrey of Oklahoma, Calvin Throckmorton of Oregon and Logan Stenberg of Kentucky.
Bladasz was taken by the Dallas Cowboys and Stenberg by the Detroit Lions each in Round 4.
The 6-foot-3, 307-pound Muti was arguably the Bulldogs’ most talented lineman but was injured for much of his career.
He played the first three games this season before a foot injury sidelined him the final nine games. Muti also missed 12 of 14 games in 2018. And he did not play as a true freshman in 2016 after suffering an Achilles’ injury.
“The biggest thing about him is he came with the same mindset every single day that he was here,” DeBoer said. “Whether things were going good or he was going through those tough times. The thing that I always remember about him was the smile on his face and when you walked into a room he was always ready to go. He’s just an amazing teammate.”
In the one season Muti stayed healthy, he started all 14 games and earned All-Mountain West honorable mention honors.
Bulldogs offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb believed in Muti when he first met him.
“I’ve been saying it single he was a freshman. He’s an NFL lineman, and now he’s an NFL lineman,” he said.
“Muti’s mind is built for that. You lay the work out in front of him and he’s going to do it. That’s what you’re getting with a guy like him. He truly loves it and the guys that love it always prioritize football above everything. I’m so proud of him and happy for him, it’s going to be awesome.”
This story was originally published April 25, 2020 at 1:06 PM.
