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3 Jaguars players who shouldn't be back next year (but probably will be)

• These 3 Jaguars players should get their walking papers but will probably be back next season.

By Carlos Sanchez

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi (94) runs onto the field carrying the U.S.
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi (94) runs onto the field carrying the U.S. / Bob Self/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY
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2. Folorunso Fatukasi, defensive tackle

The 2021 season was one of the worst the Jaguars have had to endure from a morale standpoint. Sure, they had a worse record the year prior but things weren't as bad as when Urban Meyer was given the reins to the team. Realizing the mistake he made, owner Shad Khan kicked Meyer to the curb less than a year after hiring him. Surprisingly, Khan chose a soft rebuild and kept general manager Trent Baalke around.

Fans weren't pleased with Khan's decision to stick with Baalke and even showed up at the 2021 finale in full clown gear. Knowing he had to deliver, Baalke went on a spending spree and made several splash signings in free agency. Although most of the players he acquired went on to fulfill key roles (Evan Engram, and Christian Kirk, among others), there were a few who didn't have the impact the Jags envisioned. One of them is defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi.

A sixth-round pick by the New York Jets in 2018, Fatukasi didn't offer much as a pass rusher but he didn't have to be one in Jacksonville. Like any other nose tackle, his role was to take on blocks, collapse the pocket, clog up running lanes, and let his teammates make plays. Unfortunately, he hasn't been very good at it since signing a three-year deal worth $30 million with the Jags in 2022.

Again, Foley is not a prototypical pass rusher, so the fact that he's logged just 1.5 sacks shouldn't be held against him. That said, he's routinely dealt with injuries the past two seasons and hasn't had much of an impact against the run or the pass. In 2022, he posted a measly 44.5 Pro Football Focus overall grade. His score of 61.0 last year was a bit better but still not good enough.

It's fair to say that Fatukasi has been underwhelming and the Jaguars should look for his potential replacement. However, he's set to count $12.7 million against the cap in 2024, and releasing him would only free up $3.5 million with $9.26 million in dead money. The Jags may feel tempted to keep him around and get a good year out of him given that moving on from him won't give them that much breathing room.

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