Packers surprisingly predicted to lure Texans star defender away in free agency

It's early in the 2024 season, but it's never too early for the Green Bay Packers to start thinking about the future of their defense.

That defense was outstanding on Sunday, carrying Green Bay to a 16-10 home win over the Indianapolis Colts with star quarterback Jordan Love out with a knee injury. The Packers picked off Anthony Richardson three times in the win.

Part of the strength of the Packers defense is the interior, where defensive tackles Kenny Clark and T.J. Slaton occupy the gaps to great effect. But with Slaton set to sign a potentially lucrative free-agent contract, Green Bay may be left with a void to fill.

Fortunately, another free agent-to-be could prove just as effective. On Monday, Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department predicted that the Packers would sign current Houston Texans defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi as Slaton's replacement.

"T.J. Slaton is about to hit free agency, and his departure would leave Green Bay with a need for a gap-filling defensive tackle," the authors said. "At 6'4" and 318 pounds, Fatukasi could be a potential replacement as he's served a similar role with the Texans. Last year, the 29-year-old had three tackles for loss and 20 defensive stops, per Pro Football Focus."

Fatukasi, 29, has been a solid contributor for three NFL teams already. He worked his way into a starting role by year three of his rookie contract with the New York Jets, then became a full-time starter for two years with the Jacksonville Jaguars before signing with Houston.

Now a part of the young, ferocious Texans defense, Fatukasi could become expendable when he reaches free agency. Talented young stars like Will Anderson and Derek Stingley Jr. are going to command bigger deals soon, and valuable veterans sometimes fall by the wayside.

It's hard to project fits this far in advance, but perhaps the Packers could become an even stronger defense up front with Fatukasi in the fold in 2025.

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