NFL insider thinks Jaguars DT Folorunso Fatukasi could be on the move (updated)

With free agency inching closer, NFL teams are begging to clean up their rosters. The Jacksonville Jaguars will be no different, and they'll soon make a few moves intended to create cap space. Among the players they could release to get a bit of breathing room is defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi. Insider Jeremy Fowler of ESPN recently named him as a candidate to be on the move.

Update: The Jaguars are releasing Fatukasi, per Jeremy Fowler.

Fowler mentioned Fowler, wide receiver Michael Gallop (Dallas Cowboys), and cornerback Donte Jackson (Carolina Panthers), as potential players "on the move." Many times, teams leak names before they make a move, so any potential suitors trade for them, instead of having to compete for their services in free agency. That may be the case with Fatukasi.

But even if the Jags found no trade partners for Fatukasi, there's a strong chance they'll move on from him. Simply put, they haven't gotten enough bang for their buck since signing the defensive tackle to a three-year worth $30 million two years ago.

Heck, Futukasi got the dubious distinction of appearing on the list of the worst free-agent signings in 2022. Expected to clog up running lanes and take on blockers, so his teammates could make plays, the former Husky hasn't been able to fulfill his tasks the past two years. Although he's missed just three games, he's routinely dealt with injuries, which has likely affected his performance.

Now, it looks like the Jags' patience has run out, and are ready to move on, even if their cap saving won't be that great. Fatukasi is set to count $12.7 million against the cap in 2024 but releasing him (or trading him) will create $3.5 million in space with $9.2 million in dead money.

But even if the cap savings aren't great, the Jags will probably want to move on from Fatukasi for another reason: They can give his roster spot to a player more deserving of it. Last year, they kept Fatukasi in the lineup because they had no other options in place but they could easily find his replacement in either free agency or the draft. Byron Murphy II, anyone?

Folorunso Fatukasi won't be out of work if the Jaguars release him

The Jacksonville Jaguars signed Folorunso Fatukasi became an ascending talent during his tenure with the New York Jets. Maybe injuries played a role in his lack of impact the past two years. Or perhaps the Jags weren't the right fit. Regardless of the reason, he could benefit from a change of scenery.

Fans of the Jets would welcome Fatukasi back if/when the Jaguars move on from him, based on posts on social media. On the other hand, he may not be the only player Jacksonville will release to create cap space. The team's brass already said that they expect left tackle Cam Robinson back in 2024 but nothing is written in stone, and things could change if a team makes a good enough offer to acquire the former Alabama product.

Besides Fatukasi and Robinson, other Jaguars who could be on the chopping block are wide receiver Zay Jones, right guard Brandon Scherff, safety Rayshawn Jenkins, and cornerback Darious Williams. Then again, most of them have a better chance of sticking around in Jacksonville than Fatukasi.

Ultimately, it's hard to tell who's truly safe and who isn't until free agency starts. Teams usually try to keep things close to the vest unless, like in Fatukasi's case, they share information with an intention in mind.

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