After acquiring the worst record in football a second consecutive time, the Jacksonville Jaguars front office knew they needed to spend in free agency to avoid wasting another one of Trevor Lawrence’s first seasons. They did just that by spending the most money in NFL history this offseason and taking advantage of the increase in cap space.
In the process, Pro Football Focus seems to think the Jags picked up their most underrated player in defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi, who signed a three-year deal worth $30 million with $20 million guaranteed after spending the beginning of his career with the New York Jets.
Here is what PFF analyst Sam Monson had to say:
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: DI FOLORUNSO FATUKASI
Being a run-stuffing specialist in today’s NFL will almost certainly land a player on an underrated list because of the pass-happy nature of today’s league. Defending the run is still a very valuable skill, especially if one can do it well enough that it enables a defense to reallocate resources elsewhere. Fatukasi has proven capable of that. In three years of significant snaps with the Jets, Fatukasi twice notched an 86.0-plus PFF run-defense grade, and he made at least 24 defensive stops in each of the past two seasons. He may not offer much as a pass-rushing force, but neither is he completely inept in that area, able to at least push the pocket and make an impact.
Some may see Fatukasi as a one-dimensional defender, but his ability against the run will be extremely valuable for the Jags and in the AFC South. The Jags ranked 23rd against the rush last season and that’s not where they want to be in a division with Jonathan Taylor and Derrick Henry.
The Jags signed Fatukasi partly because of his familiarity with Jags defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell, who was with the Jets when Fatukasi was drafted. Just as the front office did, Caldwell liked how the former sixth-round pick had developed over the years and wanted him in black and teal.
Fatukasi’s addition is one that makes some feel the Jags’ defense can be in the top half of the league against the run. When factoring in the additions made alongside him like the signings of Foye Oluokun and the draft selections of Devin Lloyd and Travon Walker, those fans have every reason to feel a sense of optimism.
