Tag: Folorunso Fatukasi

Jaguars PFF grades: Best and worst performers vs. Steelers

Trevor Lawrence, Folorunso Fatukasi, and Andrew Wingard were the Jaguars’ best players Sunday, according to PFF.

The Jacksonville Jaguars rolled through another opponent, making it five straight wins with a 20-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8.

The formula for the Jaguars was familiar. The team’s talented offense made a lot of impressive plays, but left way too many points on the field and cost itself chances with significant errors. The unheralded defense once again came to the rescue with an excellent showing.

Who was most to blame for the Jaguars’ underwhelming offensive showing? And who deserves the most credit for the defense’s shutdown performance?

Here are the players who received the highest and lowest marks in the grades from Pro Football Focus:

Zay Jones out, Jamal Agnew a ‘game-time decision’ vs. Falcons

The Jaguars ruled out three players and listed three as questionable for Week 4.

The Jacksonville Jaguars ruled out three players for a Week 4 game against the Atlanta Falcons and listed three as questionable.

Zay Jones, Devin Lloyd, and Antonio Johnson will all miss the contest, but wide receiver Jamal Agnew will be the one most under the microscope. The return specialist popped up on the injury report Thursday and his status for Sunday is up in the air.

On Friday, Jaguars coach Doug Pederson told reporters that Agnew will be a game-time decision, although he added the team is optimistic the receiver will be able to play.

With Jones out of action in Week 3, the team elevated Jacob Harris from the practice squad to the active roster and targeted Tim Jones more often in the passing game. The team also has rookies Parker Washington and Elijah Cooks on the roster, but kept them as healthy inactives in each of the first three weeks.

There doesn’t appear to be much concern about the availability of the other two questionable players, Foley Fatukasi and Anton Harrison.

For the Falcons, wide receiver Josh Ali is out and running back/wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson is questionable. Both players have yet to appear in a game this season. Patterson led the Falcons in touchdowns during the 2022 season.

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Zay Jones, Foley Fatukasi sit out Wednesday practice

The Jaguars were missing four players when they hit the practice field Wednesday.

The Jacksonville Jaguars had four players out of practice Wednesday, including wide receiver Zay Jones and defensive lineman Folorunso Fatukasi.

Jones, 28, suffered a knee injury in the Jaguars’ Week 2 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. After sitting out for stretch the receiver was ruled questionable to return, but Jones got back on the field before the end of the game Sunday. He finished the day without a reception.

Having Fatukasi out of action would be more consequential loss for the Jaguars, though. With DaVon Hamilton on injured reserve, Jacksonville has primarily relied on Fatukasi to handle nose tackle duties. Details about his shoulder injury are unclear as they were unaddressed by head coach Doug Pederson earlier in the day.

Pederson told reporters that outside linebacker Josh Allen “is going to be fine” after suffering a shoulder injury against the Chiefs.

For the Houston Texans, there’s a long list of injuries after the first two weeks.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters that third-year defensive back Grayland Arnold will take over for Tavierre Thomas in the slot, and safety Jimmie Ward should be in line to make his season debut, via Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2.

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Doug Pederson encouraged by Jaguars defense through first 2 games

The Jaguars offense is still trying to sort things out, but Doug Pederson is encouraged by the defense’s performances so far this season.

Going into the 2023 season, the Jacksonville Jaguars offense was what held the national spotlight. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, wide receiver Calvin Ridley and running back Travis Etienne Jr. were set to lead one of the most electric offenses in the league.

But the Jaguars’ defense has been the difference maker through the first two weeks.

“They’re playing physical — that’s something that is the pride for the defense right now,” Jacksonville head coach Doug Pederson said Monday. “Two weeks in a row, they’ve kept the offense in the game. They did it in Indy until the offense caught wind at the end of the game and then all day [Sunday], they did the same.”

The Jaguars held the Indianapolis Colts to 21 points and the Kansas City Chiefs to 17. The 38 total points allowed through the first two games of the season — 19 points per game — are the 10th lowest total in the NFL.

Outside linebacker Josh Allen racked up three sacks in the season-opener against the dynamic Anthony Richardson. Safety Andre Cisco picked off Patrick Mahomes and racked up 10 total tackles against the Colts. And linebacker Foye Oluokun and safety Rayshawn Jenkins have shown an ability to make plays on ball carriers in the open field.

Pederson singled out Allen, Cisco, Jenkins and outside linebacker Travon Walker for their individual efforts. But it’s the combination of their play that’s paying dividends.

“That’s just a credit to the scheme, what [defensive coordinator] Mike [Caldwell] is doing, utilizing the personnel this year,” Pederson said. “You’re seeing Travon and Josh up their game a little bit on the edge. The secondary is more in-sync this year; just the communication has been better. They’re playing faster, they’re stymying the run and shutting that down.”

Defensive lineman Folorunso Fatukasi also credited Caldwell for helping the team improve in his second season as the team’s defensive coordinator.

“He’s continuing to do what he needs to do,” Fatukasi said. “He’s giving us every opportunity for us to continue to be in the right positions.”

Fatukasi said the defense had its share of good and bad moments against the Chiefs but said the team is focused on working out the kinks.

“It’s just really more about the defenses gelling even more together, talking more, getting our eyes and hands right, being more technically sound,” he said. “If we get those things together, it turns out a little smoother.”

Jacksonville forced three turnovers and allowed only 17 points, but still lost Sunday. Pederson stressed following the gameplan and putting the offensive players in the best position Monday following the loss.

“The defense kept us in this football game,” Pederson said. “We’ve got to do better. We’ve got to execute. We got too many guys on offense, veteran players that we all need to do better, starting with me.”

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Jaguars PFF grades: Best and worst performers vs. Colts

Pro Football Focus was impressed with Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars’ offensive playmakers. The offensive line? Not so much.

The Jacksonville Jaguars kicked off their 2023 season with a win Sunday, beating the Indianapolis Colts, 31-21.

The 10-point Week 1 victory didn’t come easy, though. The Colts took a four-point lead into the fourth quarter and the Jaguars needed a couple touchdowns late in the game to snatch away the victory.

At Pro Football Focus, every Jaguars player was graded for their effort in the game against the Colts.

Here are the Jaguars players who stood out and struggled most on Sunday, according to PFF:

Jaguars 2023 roster review: DE Folorunso Fatukasi

Folorunso Fatukasi didn’t have a strong first season with the Jaguars, but is set to play a key role again in 2023.

The brunt of the offseason is in the books and training camp is underway. Join us for a player-by-player review of the Jaguars roster ahead of the 2023 season.

The Jacksonville Jaguars were remarkably effective in how they spent money during free agency in 2022. While it’s often a risky roll of the dice to parse through the talent on the open market, the new additions of Christian Kirk, Evan Engram, Zay Jones, Brandon Scherff, Foye Oluokun, and Darious Williams all played significant roles in the team’s run to the postseason.

If there was a free agent signing who didn’t play up to his contract it was defensive lineman Folorunso Fatukasi.

Once a breakout star for the New York Jets, Fatukasi was the lowest graded starter on the Jaguars defense, via PFF, and he led the defensive linemen in missed tackles with nine.

After a rough start in Jacksonville, Fatukasi needs a rebound season if he hopes to stick with the team beyond 2023.

Contract (2023): $1,125,000 base salary, $3,333,333 prorated signing bonus, $411,754 roster bonus, $500,000 workout bonus, $1,475,000 restructure bonus, $6,845,087 cap hit.

Acquired: The Jaguars signed Fatukasi as a veteran free agent on March 16, 2022.

PFF grades:

  • 44.5 (2022)
  • 61.5 (2021 – NYJ)
  • 80.1 (2020 – NYJ)
  • 81.6 (2019 – NYJ)
  • 50.8 (2018 – NYJ)

Highlight:

Quote: “I definitely feel like there’s more to my game and I’m definitely excited to work on it and tap into that. Like I said, all it took was for one person and a group of people to believe in me. That goes a long way when someone believes in you, so I’m definitely willing to work to see how much further I can get to my own style of play, a better style of play, a smarter style of play.” – Fatukasi

Calvin Ridley (No. 0) Travis Etienne Jr. (No. 1) Rayshawn Jenkins (No. 2) C.J. Beathard (No. 3) Tank Bigsby (No. 4) Andre Cisco (No. 5)
Chris Claybrooks (No. 6) Zay Jones (No. 7) Logan Cooke (No. 9) Parker Washington (No. 11) James McCourt (No. 12) Christian Kirk (No. 13)
Kendric Pryor (No. 14) Tim Jones (No. 15) Trevor Lawrence (No. 16) Evan Engram (No. 17) Nathan Rourke (No. 18) Sammis Reyes (No. 19)
Daniel Thomas (No. 20) Latavious Brini (No. 21) JaMycal Hasty (No. 22) Foyesade Oluokun (No. 23) Snoop Conner (No. 24) D’Ernest Johnson (No. 25)
Antonio Johnson (No. 26) Divaad Wilson (No. 27) Tevaughn Campbell (No. 29) Montaric Brown (No. 30) Darious Williams (No. 31) Tyson Campbell (No. 32)
Devin Lloyd (No. 33) Gregory Junior (No. 34) Ayo Oyelola (No. 35) Christian Braswell (No. 36) Tre Herndon (No. 37) Qadree Ollison (No. 38)
Jamal Agnew (No. 39) Erick Hallett (No. 40) Josh Allen (No. 41) Andrew Wingard (No. 42) Kaleb Hayes (No. 43) Derek Parish (No. 43)
Travon Walker (No. 44) K’Lavon Chaisson (No. 45) Ross Matiscik (No. 46) De’Shaan Dixon (No. 47) Chad Muma (No. 48) Shaquille Quarterman (No. 50)
Ventrell Miller (No. 51) DaVon Hamilton (No. 52) Willie Taylor III (No. 53) DJ Coleman (No. 54) Dequan Jackson (No. 55) Yasir Abdullah (No. 56)
Caleb Johnson (No. 57) Raymond Vohasek (No. 59) Darryl Williams (No. 60) Samuel Jackson (No. 62) Coy Cronk (No. 64) Chandler Brewer (No. 67)
Brandon Scherff (No. 68) Tyler Shatley (No. 69) Cole Van Lanen (No. 70) Walker Little (No. 72) Blake Hance (No. 73) Cam Robinson (No. 74)
Cooper Hodges (No. 75) Anton Harrison (No. 76) Josh Wells (No. 77) Ben Bartch (No. 78) Luke Fortner (No. 79) Kevin Austin Jr. (No. 80)
Seth Williams (No. 81) Elijah Cooks (No. 84) Brenton Strange (No. 85) Gerrit Prince (No. 86) Jaray Jenkins (No. 87) Oliver Martin (No. 88)
Luke Farrell (No. 89) Henry Mondeaux (No. 90) Dawuane Smoot (No. 91) Jordan Smith (No. 92) Tyler Lacy (No. 93) Folorunso Fatukasi (No. 94)
Roy Robertson-Harris (No. 95) Adam Gotsis (No. 96) Michael Dogbe (No. 98) Jeremiah Ledbetter (No. 99) Brandon McManus (No. 10) Jacob Harris (No. 83)
Josh Pederson (No. 49)

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Ranking interior DL in the AFC South entering 2023

Here’s a look at ranking the interior defensive linemen across the AFC South.

The interior defensive linemen across the AFC South range in variety when you take a look at each team’s depth chart.

The Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans have elite players in the trenches and underrated veterans that deserve more recognition than they get. Meanwhile the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans don’t have the top names for defensive linemen but still have quality guys on that part of their rosters.

Let’s take a look at how they rank across the division:

Jaguars restructure Folorunso Fatukasi’s deal to clear $5.9 million

The Jaguars reportedly cleared a chunk of cap space Thursday by restructuring another contract.

The Jacksonville Jaguars cleared a chunk of cap space with a restructure of Folorunso Fatukasi’s contract, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.

Per Yates, the Jaguars converted $7.375 million of Fatukasi’s base salary into a signing bonus to clear $5.9 million in space.

Fatukasi, 28, joined the Jaguars last year on a three-year, $30 million deal after beginning his career with the New York Jets. In his first season in Jacksonville, Fatukasi recorded 1.5 sacks, two tackles for loss, and three pass deflections.

Jacksonville entered the 2023 offseason with one of the more precarious salary cap situations after a free agency spending spree in 2022. The team cleared space by cutting ties with cornerback Shaquill Griffin, extending Roy Robertson-Harris, and restructuring the contracts of Christian Kirk, Foye Oluokun, Zay Jones, and Brandon Scherff.

Still, the Jaguars haven’t had much money to go after big-name free agents. On Wednesday, the team reportedly reached deals with three players: running back D’Ernest Johnson, and defensive linemen Henry Mondeaux and Michael Dogbe.

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Jaguars list 6 players as questionable vs. Texans

The Jaguars listed six players as questionable, but most are expected to play.

The Jacksonville Jaguars listed six players as questionable for a Week 17 game against the Houston Texans, but it’s possible none of them will sit out.

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is among the six on the list as has been the case in each of the team’s last three games. While he’s still nursing a sprained toe, Lawrence hasn’t missed a game and hasn’t looked inhibited by the injury.

On Friday, Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said Travon Walker was likely to make his return after missing two games, and he said he was optimistic about Folorunso Fatukasi and Brandon Scherff playing too.

The player who appears likeliest to sit out is long snapper Ross Matiscik, who has been dealing with back spasms. The Jaguars added veteran long snapper Garrison Sanborn to the practice squad earlier this week.

Houston ruled out two players Friday and listed only one as questionable.

Dare Ogunbowale had a two-year stint with the Jaguars before joining the Texans as a free agent in March. He has 37 touches with Houston this season for 164 yards and one touchdown.

Jaguars DC Mike Caldwell: ‘The talent is here’

Mike Caldwell says the Jaguars defense can be good with the players it already has.

The Jacksonville Jaguars defense allowed 40 points in Week 13, never forcing the Detroit Lions to punt or turn the ball over in a blowout loss that dropped the Jaguars to 4-8.

With much of the talk this week centered around what Jacksonville can do to right the ship, defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell said Thursday that the team isn’t in need of an infusion of new players.

“I think the talent is here,” Caldwell said in a press conference. “We’re happy with the players here. We just have to get them understanding that when you do the right way, you have to do it the right way over and over and over again.

“There are times when we’re right on point. Then there are times when we’re not. That’s part of coaching, we all own that, we’ve got to get those guys playing the way they need to play over and over and over.”

The Jaguars used a pair of first-round picks on defensive players, Travon Walker and Devin Lloyd, in April, as well as a third-round pick on Chad Muma. Jacksonville also added defensive lineman Folorunso Fatukasi, linebacker Foye Oluokun, and cornerback Darious Williams in free agency.

After solid results from the new-look defense early in the season — including a shutout of the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2 — the unit has regressed as the year has gone on. It has now allowed at least 27 points and 400 yards in three straight weeks.

Caldwell may be hesitant to throw his players under the bus by saying they’re not good enough and new talent is needed. But the results tell another story and it’s hard to imagine the Jaguars not addressing their defensive woes with more draft picks in 2023.