Olu Fashanu selected by the Jets at No. 11 in the 2024 NFL Draft
Olumuyiwa Fashanu of the Penn State Nittany Lions. Credit: Getty Images/Michael Reaves
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – The Jets didn’t give Aaron Rodgers a new weapon on Thursday night, but they beefed up the offensive line and added insurance at the tackle position.
After the top three receivers in the NFL Draft were taken before the Jets were on the clock with the No. 10 pick, general manager Joe Douglas traded down one spot and took Penn State left tackle Olu Fashanu at 11.
The Jets were high on Washington receiver Rome Odunze, who went ninth to Chicago. They could have selected Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, but Douglas opted to make a deal with the Vikings and collect some additional draft capital.
In the trade with Minnesota, the Jets also received a fourth-round pick (No. 129) and fifth rounder (157) and sent the Vikings a sixth-rounder (203). The Jets could try to package some picks and move up on Day 2 for a receiver. They don’t have a second-round pick Friday, just No. 72 in the third round.
“The depth at pass catcher and tackle was really unique,” Douglas said. “Some of the best players in this draft are playing those positions. You saw three receivers go really high and two tackles went high. We wanted to make sure that we could capitalize on the best remaining player.”
Fashanu may not play much, though. It depends on Tyron Smith’s health. The Jets signed the eight-time Pro Bowl left tackle who has missed 37 games over the past four seasons.
“I don’t think it mattered who we picked, really,” Douglas said. “It was going to be a tough path to the starting lineup.”
The top three picks Thursday were quarterbacks – Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye. Marvin Harrison Jr. – the first receiver taken - went fourth to Arizona. The Giants picked receiver Malik Nabers sixth. When Odunze went ninth to the Bears, Douglas made his move.
Douglas wouldn’t reveal whether he would have kept 10 if one of the receivers was available.
“They weren’t there, so I can’t really live in that world,” Douglas said. “But they’re going to be tremendous players.”
There was plenty of debate – inside and outside of the Jets’ building – about what they should do: take a dynamic playmaker or add a lineman for depth. The way the draft went made the decision for the Jets.
Fashanu, who is 6-foot-6, 312 pounds, was a two-year starter at left tackle for Penn State. He didn’t allow a sack in 663 pass-blocking snaps the past two seasons. Douglas called Fashanu a " really high-level, high-impact pass protector" and underrated run blocker.
“I feel like I bring a lot of toughness, a lot of grit,” Fashanu said. “For me, most importantly, I feel like one my best assets is my consistency on the field, never taking any plays off, always giving my all.”
Protecting Rodgers, who is 40 and returning from a torn left Achilles tendon, is imperative since so much of this season hinges upon his health. The Jets proved last year that you can never have enough depth up front. They started 13 different players on the line.
Douglas addressed the offensive line before the draft as part of what has been a mostly successful offseason that included former No. 2 pick Zach Wilson being traded to Denver earlier this week.
The Jets also signed left guard John Simpson and re-acquired right tackle Morgan Moses. The Jets need insurance at both tackle spots. Fashanu said he’s comfortable playing right tackle. He practiced there at Penn State and worked on it during his pre-draft training for the draft.
The Jets like the idea of Fashanu learning from Smith and Moses.
“Improving our offensive line in free agency and adding to the depth and the future of the offensive line was a big part of the discussion,” Robert Saleh said. “Between [Smith] and Morgan there’s so much knowledge and experience, not only technique but also how to be a pro and how to prepare at this level.
“The young man’s only 21 years old. He hasn’t even scratched the surface. He’s walking into a situation where he’s going to learn exactly what it takes to last in this league.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
