On Thursday night, the New York Jets made a move in the NFL draft by trading down one spot and selecting Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu with the 11th pick. This decision came after the Jets traded the No. 10 overall selection to the Minnesota Vikings, who chose Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy. In exchange for moving down one spot, New York also received picks in the fourth and fifth rounds from Minnesota, along with sending a sixth-rounder their way.
The addition of Fashanu provides depth to the Jets’ offensive line and additional protection for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The team has faced challenges with injuries and inconsistency among their offensive line starters, prompting general manager Joe Douglas to focus on upgrading the unit in free agency. This includes signing veteran Pro Bowler Tyron Smith, acquiring tackle Morgan Moses from the Baltimore Ravens, and adding former Ravens guard John Simpson.
While these new additions are expected to start alongside center Joe Tippmann and right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, there are concerns about the age and injury history of the veteran tackles. Smith and Moses are both 33 years old, with recent injury issues that have limited their playing time. Both players signed one-year deals with the Jets, making Fashanu a valuable option in case of injury this season and a potential starter next season to address any long-term concerns for the team.
The move by New York is seen as an attempt to bolster its offensive line depth ahead of its upcoming season against fierce rivals like Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens. With Fashanu’s experience playing at a high level in college football and his solid physical attributes, he will be expected to make a significant impact on his new team’s offense.
Fashanu was ranked as one of the top prospects at his position heading into this year’s draft due to his impressive performance during his time at Penn State. He was named an All-Big Ten honoree twice during his college career and played left tackle for three seasons before switching positions to right tackle in 2020.
Overall, this move by New York is seen as smart business decisions as they have addressed their weaknesses on offense while also preparing for potential injuries or aging stars on defense.