On the second day of the NFL legal tampering window, the Jets added another defensive tackle.
According to a source, Leki Fotu and the Jets have agreed to terms. Fotu spent his first four seasons in the NFL with the Cardinals after they selected him in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Defensive tackle was a point of emphasis for the Jets entering the offseason after Quinton Jefferson, Solomon Thomas, and Al Woods all hit free agency. Late Monday night, the Jets signed Javon Kinlaw, who will fill more of Jefferson’s role on the defensive line.
The 6-5, 334-pound Fotu is the run-stopper in the middle the Jets needed next to Quinnen Williams. Woods played this role in early downs last season until he suffered a torn Achilles on Oct. 29 against the Giants.
Without Woods, the team’s run defense suffered significantly late in the year. Gang Green finished 25th in rushing yards allowed after giving up an average of 124 per game.
In 11 games last season, Fotu registered 28 tackles and 2.5 sacks. In his four years with the Cardinals, he recorded 89 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 12 tackles for loss.
Fotu will join a Jets defense that’s been one of the best in the league the last two seasons. In 2023, the Jets were third in total defense (292.3) and 12th in points allowed (20.9).
The Jets entered the second day of the NFL’s legal tampering window still needing help on the offensive line and at wide receiver. On Monday, Gang Green agreed to terms with former Ravens left guard John Simpson. The Jets and Tyrod Taylor also agreed to a two-year contract, and he will backup Aaron Rodgers.
The legal tampering window is a two-day period that began on Monday. Teams can speak directly with agents of unrestricted free agents and agree to deals before the start of the new league year and free agency on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.
