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New York Jets’ Reason Behind Drafting Olu Fashanu Revealed

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated 4/29/24

The New York Jets passed on the opportunity to add a splashy wide receiver with the No. 11 overall pick in the NFL Draft, opting instead to select Penn State stalwart offensive tackle Olu Fashanu with that selection to help keep quarterback Aaron Rodgers upright.

Fashanu was widely heralded as one of the premier offensive tackle prospects in this year’s draft, and, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, selecting him was an easy call for general manager Joe Douglas and the Jets.

“A lot of people figured the New York Jets would take a weapon for Aaron Rodgers, which is why Bowers was projected there. Well, the truth is, if they’d taken a skill guy there, it’d have been Odunze rather than Bowers, and GM Joe Douglas was focused on getting a long-term tackle solution the whole time anyway.

“Olu Fashanu, who had an up-and-down final year at Penn State, can be that kind of fix at left tackle for the next decade, and a valuable insurance policy for the 33-year-old tackles the Jets have now. His ceiling, by the way, remains sky high. He’s still just 21, and had he come out last year, as a junior, he may have gone in front of Cardinals left tackle Paris Johnson Jr.”

Despite not quite living up to his strong play in 2022, Fashanu did not allow a sack during the 2023 season at Penn State, and now represents a future anchor along the Jets’ offensive line.

New York Jets’ Olu Fashanu Scouting Report

Whether Fashanu cracks the Jets’ starting lineup in 2024 remains to be seen, but, adding a bookend for years to come was clearly a priority for the Jets, especially given the former Penn State standout’s lofty ceiling.

As Pro Football Focus points out, Fashanu went three seasons in Happy Valley without allowing a sack, garnered an 88.4 pass-protection grade from the outlet, and allowed just 16 hurries during his collegiate career.

“A toolsy two-year starter with loads of potential,” NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein writes of the Jets’ rookie. “Fashanu is still learning to be less mechanical and more instinctive with his play. At this point, he could impose his traits upon most collegiate opponents and stack the deck in his favor.

As a pro, he will need to play with better control and more consistent technique to prevent being countered and beaten by NFL talent. There is still room to get bigger and stronger, but he’s already playing with good focus and drive as a run blocker. Issues with footwork and landmarks can be corrected with more coaching.”