With the 11th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the New York Jets drafted left tackle Olu Fashanu out of Penn State. Many Jets fans had hoped the pick would be tight end Brock Bowers, but they stood their ground and took their future franchise left tackle. Fashanu came into the class as one of the top linemen but fell right into the Jets' lap as he was the third tackle off the board in the first 11 picks.
The Jets originally had the tenth pick but traded down one spot with the Minnesota Vikings. The Jets received the 11th pick, a fourth and fifth-round pick for the tenth pick, and 203. The Jets knew the Vikings would take quarterback J.J. McCarthy, so they knew they would still get the guy they wanted at pick 11, as Fashanu ended up being that guy for Gang Green.
He is 6'6" and weighs 312 pounds. He was a 2023 consensus All-American and the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year. He also finished first-team all-Big Ten in 2022 and second-team all-Big Ten in 2022 and finished his Nittany Lion career allowing just one sack. Fashanu is expected to sit and learn behind veteran Tyron Smith before becoming the franchise tackle the Jets hope he can become.
It was a good pick by the Jets. The vision is that they not only have their left tackle for the next decade but with Morgan Moses and Tyron Smith at 33 years old, there are concerns that they can play an entire season without getting hurt. Smith hasn't played a full season since 2015, so Olu will likely play this season for the Jets. The Jets are not taking any chances, as they are making sure they can fully protect Aaron Rodgers this season. New York does not want injuries on their offensive line to cost them again in another season.
The vision is clear; it is just a matter of whether you agree with it. Fashanu was not the explosive pick at 11; that was Bowers. Bowers would have, on paper, had a bigger impact on the Jets this season than Fashanu. On paper, Fashanu is the second-string offensive tackle for this team, while Bowers would be one of the Jets' top offensive weapons. Picking a player who is going to be on your bench to start the season at 11 isn't ideal.
You would think they would want someone who is guaranteed to play this season and try to help bring home a Super Bowl. Now, it wasn't that the Jets weren't interested in getting a playmaker. According to SNY's NFL insider Connor Hughes, the Jets did try to trade up with the Giants at pick six and the Bears at pick nine to draft, most likely wide receivers Rome Odunze or Malik Nabers. The problem was that the Giants were locked in on Nabers, and the Bears wanted Odunze. New York tried to be aggressive, but nothing was there for them. The Jets had to stick with their board and Fashanu was the top guy left for them.
Drafting off the possibility of injuries isn't ideal, but the Jets' perspective is understanding that they want insurance for their offensive line. It's a smart plan. It's not flashy, and it doesn't make a significant impact on this season, but it is smart.
Bowers would have been an excellent pick for the Jets and certainly would have been a fun weapon for Rodgers in a year where the Jets are trying to win it all. Fashanu is a good pick by the Jets and should be a great pass protector for them for years to come.
Grade: B
I am giving this pick a B because it is a good and intelligent pick, but it cannot be an A when the player you selected will be on the sidelines for week one. Fashanu could play this season with Smith's injury history, but he is a backup on the Jets for now. That's why the pick is getting a B. However, this pick could age better depending on what playmaker the Jets can land on in later rounds.
Day Two
Speaking of Day Two, New York could still look to get plenty of prospects. As of right now, the Jets only have a third-round pick, but they do have three fourth-rounders. Could the Jets use these picks to try and move up in the second round to get a quality receiver? They should be open to it and be aggressive. Remember, the mindset this season is that they are going all in. Going all in would be trading up to get one of these playmakers for Rodgers.
Notable Wide Receivers Left
AD Mitchell, Texas
Troy Franklin, Oregon
Ladd McConkey, Georgia
Roman Wilson, Michigan
Ja'Lynn Polk, Washington
Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky
Keon Coleman, Florida State
Jermaine Burton, Alabama
Devontez Walker, North Carolina
The Jets will probably have to trade up if they want any of these names.
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