The New York Jets may be looking to bring back an impactful player to strengthen their defensive line.Jets analyst Joe Caporoso is advocating for the team to “Bring home Foley Fatukasi” this offseason.Fatukasi, who is 30 years old, played for the Houston Texans last season under a one-year, $ 5.1 million contract. However, he began his NFL career with the Jets in 2018 after being selected as the 180th overall pick in the sixth round.Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 318 pounds, Fatukasi has a significant presence on the field.
Fatukasi Is Exactly What the Doctor Ordered for the Jets
The former UConn standout was among the top run defenders in the NFL during his tenure with the Jets.
In 2019, Pro Football Focus awarded Fatukasi an impressive 87.6 run defense grade, ranking him fifth among defensive tackles in the league. He improved in 2020, achieving an 86.2 run defense grade, which placed him second in his position, according to PFF.
Last season, NFL teams ran against the Jets the fifth most frequently, totaling 504 rushing attempts. The Jets allowed 22 rushing touchdowns, tying for the third-most in the league. Bringing Fatukasi back could address one of the Jets’ most significant issues.
During his four seasons with the Jets, Fatukasi played in 45 games and made 23 starts. In that time, he recorded three sacks, 14 quarterback hits, 18 tackles for loss, and 115 total tackles.
Since leaving the Jets in 2021, Fatukasi has struggled to find the same level of success at his subsequent teams. However, returning to the Jets could be the boost his career needs to regain momentum.
This past season, Fatukasi posted career lows with a 33.7 overall grade, a 57.5 pass rush grade, and a 32.4 run defense grade, per PFF. This might explain why he remains a free agent following the draft.
Social Media Trying to Pressure Jets to Bring Back Fatukasi
“Bring Foley Fatukasi home @nyjets,” the Optimistic Jets account tweeted.“Bring Foley Fatukasi back home,” the Jet Nation account shared earlier on X (formerly Twitter).In response, one fan commented, “I feel like it’s a no brainer—a one-year deal would be a smart move.”Another fan added, “I’d welcome Foley back in a heartbeat.”
The Jets are in need of a run stuffer. Heading into the 2025 NFL draft, defensive tackle was identified as a key area of need for the team. However, the Jets chose not to select any defensive tackles among their seven picks in April’s draft.
A total of 30 defensive tackles were picked, making this one of the best draft classes for the position in the last 25 years. Curiously, the Jets decided to forgo the chance to strengthen their lineup in this regard.
Now, the Jets’ only option is to bring in a veteran free agent after the draft.
According to Spotrac’s projected market value, Fatukasi is expected to sign a one-year contract worth $ 3.9 million. This salary would rank him as the 53rd highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL, according to Over The Cap.