Should the Houston Texans re-sign DT Foley Fatukasi?
The Houston Texans had major questions entering the 2024 season at the defensive tackle position and it is safe to say that the group exceeded expectations.
Texans General Manager Nick Caserio opted to go with a few cheaper options at the position, rather than spending big on one player. Caserio traded Maliek Collins to the San Francisco 49ers and let Sheldon Rankins walk in free agency, which led to several questions about what the plan would be moving forward to the 2025 season.
Caserio signed Foley Fatukasi, who was previously with the Jacksonville Jaguars to a one-year, $5M deal and he outplayed that contract for the most part. Fatukasi was a force stopping the opposing team’s rushing attack, and even provided some juice in the pass-rush department.
Houston is set on the outside with Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr, but they have a clear hole on the inside with Fatukasi set to hit free agency. Spotrac currently has his projected yearly salary at $3.9M per year, and that would be a steal if the Texans can get a player of his caliber back on the team with that contract.
I hope Foley Fatukasi gets healthy before the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/FtVEfU7wvg
— Jeremy Branham (@JeremyBranham) December 18, 2024
The only issue with Fatukasi for the Texans in 2024 was his health. The talented defensive tackle played in only 11 regular season games, and the difference with him on and off the field was extremely evident.
Fatukasi will turn 30 years old before the 2025 season begins, but it is clear that he has a lot of good football left in the tank. It would not be a complete shock to see the team get younger at the position, but it would be wise of Caserio to heavily consider bringing Fatukasi back, even on another short-term deal.