NFL defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi has signed a new contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The veteran has spent the first four seasons of his career with the New York Jets.
#Jaguars giving DT Foley Fatukasi three years, $30 million with $20 million fully guaranteed, per his agents at @SPORTSTARSNYC
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 14, 2022
Folorunso Fatukasi, Jacksonville Jaguars, Agree to Contract
One thing that jumps out about Folorunso Fatukasi is in 2021 he played just 53% of defensive snaps. Yet, on a team that rotates their defensive linemen as much as the Jets, his 558 snaps were a career-high. Fatukasi wound up posting career-highs in total tackles, quarterback hits and started all 15 games he played in. He also registered five tackles for a loss, eight quarterback pressures, but no sacks. Fatukasi has become one of the stop run-stuffers in the league in four seasons, and the potential is still there to become a three-down defensive tackle. After all, 2021 marked his first year in the pros playing in a 4-3 scheme, as opposed to the 3-4 scheme he began his career in.
Folorunso Fatukasi entered the NFL in 2018 as a sixth-round pick out of Connecticut. One of the rare day three successes for former Jets General Manager Mike Maccagnan, Fatukasi only dressed for one game as a rookie, before taking on a rotational role his second year. He became Steven McLendon’s backup, before taking the job halfway through 2020, following McLendon’s mid-season trade. From 2019-to 2020, Fatukasi saw more playtime, starting eight of 29 games played, with 69 tackles, three sacks, and 13 tackles for a loss. A large part of the reason the team was comfortable dealing McLendon is because of Fatukasi’s potential. Nevertheless, Fatukasi’s pass-rushing ability has yet to come to fruition as of 2021.
On March 4th, 2022, Fatukasi turned 27-years-old, meaning his best years could still be ahead of him. His size at 6’4″ and 318-pounds and scheme versatility are sought out by any team in today’s league. As the 6’4” and 318-pound lineman enters his fifth season, Fatukasi could wind up being a big free agency steal.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
