This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

With the dust barely settled after the 2016 NFL draft, Utah defensive tackle Lowell Lotulelei is already getting some 2017 NFL draft love.

The junior was selected in two separate 2017 first round mock drafts, first by ESPN's Todd McShay to the Indianapolis Colts at No. 21 and second by SB Nation's Dan Kadar No. 15 to the Houston Texans.

Said McShay of the pick: "Another Lotulelei stud at Utah. Lowell's brother Star was an All-American for the Utes and a first-round pick of the Carolina Panthers in 2012. At 6-foot-2 and 310 pounds, Lowell is in the mold of his brother. He's tough to move off the ball, especially in the run game, and he frees up linebackers to make plays behind him."

Kadar's reasoning: "Houston didn't address the defensive line until their last pick of the draft. With Vince Wilfork potentially entering the last year of his career, Lotulelei can be his replacement."

Lotulelei finished his sophomore season at Utah with 26 tackles, five tackles for loss and a sack as a first-team All-Pac-12 selection.

— Brennan Smith

Twitter: @BrennanJSmith