Tag: Folorunso Fatukasi

5 defensive tackles Chargers could target in free agency

With a glaring need along the defensive line, here are five pending free agents the Chargers could target.

We are still less than a couple of months until the free agency frenzy begins, but as the anticipation continues to build up, I will start listing potential targets for the Chargers at key positions of need.

First up, interior defensive linemen.

Akiem Hicks, Bears

Hicks, who is familiar with Brandon Staley during his time with Chicago when he was the outside linebacker coach, can contribute as a run-stuffer and pass rusher. He has over 50 quarterback pressures in three seasons, with his most recent in 2020. He has dealt with some injuries throughout his lengthy career, but it hasn’t hindered him enough to keep him from producing when he is on the field. He played over 800 snaps in each season in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2020.

Sebastian Joseph-Day, Rams

Hicks isn’t the only interior defender that Staley is familiar with. When Staley oversaw the Rams’ top-ranked defense, Joseph-Day had a career-high 33 run stops, two passes defended, and a forced fumble. He was on his way to surpassing those, but an unfortunate torn pectoral sustained in Week 7 kept him out. Still, winning with speed, power and violent hands, Joseph-Day can win one-on-one matchups and eat-up blockers to let his fellow teammates roam freely that the Chargers could greatly benefit from.

Folorunso Fatukasi, Jets

Fatukasi was disruptive against the run at UConn, and he has carried that over to the NFL over the last three years. This past season, he finished tied for third among defensive tackles in run stop win rate at 43%, according to ESPN. While not notorious for rushing the passer, he has shown flashes, posting 16 pressures and five quarterback hits on 282 pass-rush snaps. Further, he has consistently stayed healthy, logging defensive snaps of 507 in 2020 and 558 in 2021.

B.J. Hill, Bengals

If the Chargers re-sign Justin Jones, there could be a reunion between him and Hill as the two were previously teammates at North Carolina State. Despite being overshadowed by Dalvin Tomlinson, Dexter Lawrence, and Leonard Williams during his time with the Giants, Hill still consistently produced, both against the run and generating pressure. Now with Cincinnati, his presence has been known in the middle of the defensive line. Hill amassed 29 pressures, six sacks, and 25 run stops on the season.

D.J. Jones, 49ers

En route to San Francisco’s playoff run, Jones has been a staple that has flown under the radar after he was re-signed on a one-year prove-it deal. The definition of a no-nonsense-penetrator, Jones has lived in opposing backfields. He will make the majority of his money as a run defender, as he had 40 stops on the season. However, he added to his pass-rush repertoire, with 16 pressures in 2021, marking a career-high.

Jets make Marcus Maye their Curtis Martin Team MVP

Jets safety Marcus Maye won the Curtis Martin Team MVP award for the first time in his career.

Jets players have spoken: Marcus Maye is their team’s most valuable player.

Maye was rewarded with the Curtis Martin Team MVP award Thursday following a vote by his teammates. Maye’s name will be added to a wall at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center that displays the names of past team MVPs.

Maye is the fourth safety to win the award. Dainard Paulson, Brian Washington and Jamal Adams are the other three Jets safeties who’ve taken home the team MVP award.

Maye, in his first season without Adams by his side in the secondary, has taken over as the leader of the Jets defense. Now in his fourth season, he’s the team’s longest-tenured, active player. Maye has been more vocal this season and shown a willingness to take on multiple roles on defense.

After spending most of his Jets career as the free safety, Maye took over as the strong safety for a stretch of games this season. He was playing the part that Adams had occupied for the last three seasons, playing up on the line of scrimmage. Additionally, Maye volunteered to return punts during training camp as well, but that never came to fruition during the regular season.

Statistically, Maye has put together the best season of his career. He’s registered 71 total tackles, two sacks, 11 pass breakups, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. The biggest play Maye made this season came in Sunday’s 23-20 win over the Rams. Maye broke up a pass to Gerald Everett on fourth down late in the game that allowed the Jets to get the ball back and run out the clock to pick up their first victory of the year.

The Jets also announced the winners of five other team awards on Thursday. Frank Gore won the Dennis Byrd/ Most Inspirational Player award, while Ryan Griffin got the Ed Block Courage/Most Courageous Player award. Mathias Farley won the Marty Lyons/Community Service award and Folorunso Fatukasi won the Kyle Clifton/”Good Guy” award. Finally, rookie Denzel Mims earned the Bill Hampton/”Rookie Who Acts Like a Pro award.

Jets defense in for an overhaul in 2021

Joe Douglas could lose as many as seven starters to free agency as well as more with roster cuts as he continues his Jets rebuild

A lot of change should be coming to One Jets Drive in 2021 as Joe Douglas continues his rebuild, and there could be a lot on the defensive side of the ball.

The Jets have just $70 million tied to the defense – the sixth-lowest in the league, according to Over The Cap – with seven starters set to hit free agency after this season. Ten others have expiring contracts and a few more players could be released as well.

Safety Marcus Maye and cornerback Brian Poole could possibly return if the Jets can get a good price. The rest of the starters – Bradley McDougald, Pierre Desir, Tarell Basham, Jordan Jenkins and Neville Hewitt – could all be on their way out after a season filled with poor defensive showings. Other players like defensive linemen Henry Anderson and Nathan Shepherd haven’t played well and would save the Jets money if cut early, too.

That would leave the Jets with a very small core of players. Quinnen Williams, Folorunso Fatukasi and John Franklin-Myers look great on the defensive line, while defensive backs Ashtyn Davis and Bless Austin and linebacker Blake Cashman should continue to improve with more playing time. Cornerback Bryce Hall and pass rusher Jabari Zuniga remain question marks after spending most of their rookie seasons injured. Don’t forget, linebacker C.J. Mosley will return as well after basically a two-year hiatus. 

While that group isn’t awful, there would be a lot of gaps to fill if Douglas cleans house.  

Where will Douglas find his replacements? It’s hard to say. The free agent class is shallow and mostly filled with expensive veterans. Guys like Patrick Peterson, Matt Judon, Shaq Barrett and Melvin Ingram will all cost a lot more than Douglas would probably like to spend and all have reached the peak of their careers.

The draft, too, isn’t great at the top, but Douglas could find some solid prospects with his late first- or early second-round picks after potentially using his first pick on a quarterback or offensive lineman. Someone like Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade or Miami pass rusher Quincy Roche are possibilities. A trade or two could be on the table, as well, but that doesn’t seem like Douglas’ style unless he takes a gamble on an inexpensive player or moves up in the draft for a guy he really likes.

Rebuilding the defense is easier said than done, but it’s necessary – especially if Gregg Williams doesn’t return as defensive coordinator next season.

The unit as a whole took a step back this season. A year after allowing the seventh-fewest yards per game and allowing 22 points per game, the Jets defense ranks 27th in yards allowed and 30th in points allowed. New York saw a precipitous drop in run defense as well – dropping from second to 18 in rushing yards allowed and from ninth to 24th in rushing touchdowns allowed. Trading Jamal Adams couldn’t have accounted for that much of a drop-off.

A lot of the Jets’ 2021 success hinges on Douglas’ second full offseason as general manager. That will especially be true for a defense that’s suffered mightily this year. If Douglas doesn’t keep a lot of the Jets’ starters from this season, he’ll have to take some big risks in the draft and free agency.

2020 New York Jets Position Preview: Defensive line

Jets Wire breaks down New York’s defensive line room with training camp and the 2020 season approaching.

With the beginning of training camp less than a week away, it’s time to take a closer look at the makeup of the Jets’ roster entering the 2020 season.

The Jets defensive line was the strong suit of the team’s defense in 2019. With the coaching of Gregg Williams and Andre Carter, the unit helped significantly contribute to the NFL’s seventh overall-ranked defense last season. New York’s defensive front finished as the league’s second-best run defense, allowing just 86.9 yards per game and 3.34 yards per carry.

Leading the charge upfront was veteran Steve McLendon, who continues to be an anchor in the middle at 34-years-old. Even though Henry Anderson struggled to improve upon his 2018 season and Quinnen Williams was slow to get out of the gate, New York relied on its extensive depth to win its battles in the trenches.

As training camp and the beginning of the regular season inch closer, Jets Wire will provide a look at each of New York’s position groups and what could be in store for the unit in 2020. Let’s breakdown the defensive line room at One Jets Drive.

The Starters

While Gang Green was unable to secure a game-changing edge rusher for its defensive front, the team is still returning a more than formidable unit.

Even though McLendon is entering the twilight of his career, the Jets starting defensive tackle hasn’t come close to losing a step. In fact, 2019 was one of the best seasons of his career. McLendon tallied a career-high 10 tackles for a loss, seven quarterback hits, 2.5 sacks, one fumble recovery and 36 tackles in 2019. He is the unquestioned leader on the Jets’ front seven and has paid dividends for the team’s run defense. With no signs of slowing down, McLendon will likely continue to split snaps with Folorunso Fatukasi for the 2020 season.

While McLendon is the unit’s heart and soul, the key to the defensive line’s continued success in 2020 is Quinnen Williams. Although the former No. 3 overall pick got himself in a bit of hot water this offseason, he’s poised to break out in his sophomore year. Williams’ rookie campaign started with him missing three of the Jets’ first four games due to neck and ankle injuries. When he returned, he was fighting through injuries. Once Leonard Williams was traded to the Giants, however, Williams’ potential started to flash. In 13 games he recorded 28 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one fumble recovery.

Injuries also took their toll on Anderson, who was unable to recapture the production that earned him a new contract. Battling through a shoulder injury, which cost him three games, and adjusting to a new scheme under Williams led to a frustrating season for Anderson, who compiled just one sack, three tackles for a loss and nine quarterback hits in 13 games. It’s likely his role will be reduced this season.

Depth

The Jets’ depth at the defensive line position hasn’t gone unnoticed and neither has the staff’s ability to develop talent. Players who were originally afterthoughts like Fatukasi, Nathan Shepherd and Kyle Phillips played significant roles in Williams’ rotation in 2019.

Playing in 35 percent of the Jets’ defensive snaps in 2019, Fatukasi was the team’s biggest surprise. He registered 27 tackles, one sack, three quarterback hits and seven tackles for a loss. He looks primed for a bigger role in 2020. Shepherd had already been written off as a bust after an underwhelming rookie campaign and a six-game suspension, but he quickly turned the tables on that narrative. Sticking by his side, the Jets have found a rotational asset who could push Anderson for playing time. Phillips is another player on the defensive line who is primed to breakout. The undrafted free agent out of Tennessee is a versatile disrupter who should get more playing time with the Jets’ lack of additions at the pass-rushing position.

Jordan Willis, John Franklin-Myers, Bronson Kaufusi, Domenique Davis and Sterling Johnson round out the Jets’ defensive line depth chart. While they have limited time to make an impression in the upcoming weeks, it’s likely New York will stash away players it views as developmental projects on the practice squad.

Outlook

While there is a lot to be excited about, the expectations for the Jets defensive line should be tempered. New York will be banking on a lot to go right for its deepest unit. The Jets will need Williams and Anderson to step forward while continuing to put their faith in a rock-solid veteran like McLendon.

Looking at New York’s depth, Fataukasi, Shepherd and Phillips all have the potential to break out with an increased role. They will need to continue to develop these players with a limited training camp.

With all that said, the defensive line looks like it will yet again be the deepest unit on Gang Green’s roster.

See more from Jets Wire’s Position Previews series:

QB | RB | WR | TE | OL

One impact player for each Seahawks opponent in 2020 – Part 2

In part two of this two-part series, we select one player to watch out for from each of the Seahawks’ last seven opponents of 2020.

In Part One of this two-part series, I put together a list of one player from each of the Seahawks’ first six opponents of 2020 that should make a difference in Seattle’s approach to each game. Now, in part two, I detail one player from the remaining seven opponents that should have a similar impact.

Note, I chose not to select any quarterbacks, running backs, or wide receivers for this list, as the success of those positions is obviously paramount to a team’s chances of winning.

Week 8 (Nov. 1) and Week 17 (Jan. 3, 2021): San Francisco 49ers

Impact player: TE George Kittle

Look no further than last year’s season series between the Seahawks and the 49ers to feel Kittle’s impact – the Seahawks won without Kittle on the field, and lost when he was there. Kittle, an All-Pro First Team member, was PFF’s top-ranked player at any position in 2019 after posting his second straight 1,000-yard season and leading all tight ends AND receivers in broken tackles. He is an absolute game-breaker in both run-blocking and pass-blocking, and should easily be the Seahawks’ number-one concern on defense.

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Folorunso Fatukasi took a major step in second year with Jets

Jets defensive lineman Folorunso Fatukasi improved drastically in his second season with New York.

Folorunso Fatukasi made a name for himself in his second season with the Jets.

After only playing three defensive snaps as a rookie in 2018, Fatukasi found a role in the Jets defensive line rotation as a sophomore. As Fatukasi was given more opportunities to play this past season, he couldn’t help but credit his teammates for helping him along the way.

“Just the opportunity I’ve been given, being able to do it here, at this moment, to be with these guys, I think it was just very special,” Fatukasi told the team’s website. “I enjoyed coming to work every day, being with the guys working, battling with them. And I believe that’s kind of fitting, to go through all that stuff with your brothers around you and be able to help produce. It feels good.”

Fatukasi was a sixth-round pick out of UConn in 2018. In 14 games this past season, Fatukasi produced 27 combined tackles, one sack and a pass defense. The numbers don’t jump off the page, but Fatukasi played an instrumental part in New York’s elite run defense.

Jets defensive line coach Andre Carter didn’t have a lot of film of Fatukasi from his rookie season. However, he noticed a major difference in his playing style in year two.

“Just attacking,” Carter said. “For Foley, it was a process, just like everybody else. But he started to see how good of a player he can be. We just continue to tell him to keep chopping wood as well as everybody else, keep playing good football.”

Now heading into his third season with Gang Green, Fatukasi will be looking for even more playing time. If he can improve on his numbers from this past season, the Jets may have found a diamond in the rough in the former sixth-round pick.

Jets’ 4 least concerning positions entering the offseason

Here are the Jets’ least areas of concern entering the offseason.

While the Jets have their work cut out for them entering the offseason, there are a few positions they have locked down for next season.

The Jets are far from a finished product, but there is some hope with some parts of the roster. Safety, defensive line, inside linebackers and running back are areas where the Jets are perfectly fine at.

Here are the Jets’ least concerning positions entering this offseason.

Safety

AP Photo/Steven Senne

The Jets are locked into both their starting safeties for the next couple of years, so they don’t need to address that position.

Both Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye are entering their fourth year in the league and are two years away from being free agents. Adams and Maye are one of the best safety duos in the NFL, with Adams being arguably the top safety in the league.

New York should do whatever it takes to sign Adams to an extension as soon as possible. As for Maye, he had a strong year last season, but the Jets can wait a little bit before extending him.

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Why the Leonard Williams trade was Joe Douglas’ best move

Joe Douglas made a necessary move to help the future of the Jets in his first season as general manager.

Joe Douglas didn’t make too many franchise-altering moves during his first regular season as the Jets general manager. That would have been a hard feat to accomplish given he joined the team after Mike Maccagnan ran the draft and signed expensive free agents. But the one move he did make that could have the biggest effect on the long-term future of the team was trading former 2016 first-round pick Leonard Williams to the Giants.

That trade netted the Jets a 2020 third-round pick and a 2021 fifth-round pick that could become a fourth if the Giants re-sign Williams to a deal, something the Giants reportedly began discussing soon after trading for the defensive end. It was a pivotal move for Douglas for two reasons: 1) Douglas acquired a top-70 pick, which could become an important piece for his first-ever draft class as GM and 2) shedding Williams gave the team opportunities to look at other young talents on the defensive line.

The Jets now have the 11th, 48th, 68th and 79th selection in the first three rounds of the 2020 draft. Considering all the holes on the roster, that 68th pick could end up being a starter for the Jets as early as next season. The addition of an extra third-round pick gives Douglas even more flexibility in the first two days of the draft if he wants to move up and grab the guy he wants. Either way, if Douglas drafts correctly that selection could play a major role for the Jets in 2020. Even better, they could get another top-120 selection in 2021 if Williams re-signs with the Giants.

Jettisoning Williams gave Douglas, Adam Gase and Gregg Williams the added bonus of checking out the rest of their defensive line depth. The Jets actually had a pretty deep line behind Williams, and his lack of production meant he wasn’t any more valuable than the cheaper players behind him. Guys like Folorunso Fatukasi, Kyle Phillips and Jordan Willis all earned a bigger role on the team with Williams’ departure, and then all even played better than Williams. Each had more sacks than Williams and combined for 11 quarterback hits.

The Williams trade didn’t really affect the Jets’ 2019 season, which is fine considering the team was 1-7 at the trade deadline. If anything, Douglas probably needed to make more moves to shore up his draft capital during a crucial offseason.

The Williams trade was the only one he made, and the only move that will help the Jets next season. The rest of his moves – save for signing tight end Ryan Griffin and trading for back-up offensive lineman Alex Lewis – didn’t pan out. Center Ryan Kalil played poorly and missed nine games after Douglas coaxed him out of retirement, and Douglas failed to find a long-term kicker solution between Kaare Vedvik and Sam Ficken.

It’s hard to completely evaluate Douglas’ first season as GM since he worked with a roster he didn’t build, but it’s encouraging to see how he saw the value in trading away a young, underperforming player for draft capital. The Williams trade will be huge in how the Johnson’s evaluate Douglas’ ability to run the team, and another early pick gives Douglas the ability to finally shape the roster the way he wanted to when he took the job.