5 worst contracts on the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022

No. 4 worst contract on the Jaguars in 2022 – Folorunso Fatukasi, DT.

Defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi was one of the several players the Jaguars signed in this year’s free agency. While he doesn’t offer much in the pass-rush department (three career sacks in four years), there are many things to like about his signing, mainly his ability to clog up running lanes, posting Pro Football Focus’ of 86.0 or higher against the run in two of his NFL seasons.

Having said that, the Jags paid a premium for a player that doesn’t get to the quarterback often and has participated in 50 percent of his team’s defensive snaps in just one season (2021). It’s great to see players cashing and they deserve every cent a team is willing to pay them. However, giving Fatukasi a three-year deal worth $30 isn’t a sound financial decision. Barring significant injury, the defensive tackle should help Jacksonville’s defense improve against the run but you don’t give that kind of money to players whose main role is to stop opposing ballcarriers.

Maybe Fatukasi ends up becoming a key cog in the Jaguars’ defensive line rotation and makes an impact from Day 1 but if he doesn’t, it will be a bit challenging to move on from him. Let’s say the Connecuit product isn’t a fit or doesn’t live up to expectations, releasing him in 2023 would create $15.16 million in dead money and no cap savings.

Sure, it would be unfair to move on from Fatukasi or any other player after just one season but it’s sometimes necessary. However, the Jaguars craft contracts in a way that it’s only feasible to cut ties with a player until the third year of the contract.