The New York Jets needed to overhaul the offensive line after they allowed the 2nd-most pressures, the 2nd-highest pressure percentage, the 5th-most sacks, and the 3rd-lowest pass block win rate. The Jets let Duane Brown, Laken Tomlinson, and Mekhi Becton walk in free agency.
They replaced Brown, Tomlinson, and Becton with Tyron Smith, John Simpson, and a tackle from the AFC North.
The New York Jets acquired a right tackle from the AFC North.
The Jets traded a 2024 fourth-round pick and a sixth-round pick to the Ravens for Morgan Moses and a 2024 fourth-round pick.
Their starting offensive line consists of LT Tyron Smith, LG John Simpson, C Joe Tippmann, RG Alijah Vera-Tucker, and RT Morgan Moses.
Despite having their starting offensive line filled, they still need to add depth to their offensive line in case of an emergency and need a long-term answer at the guard and tackle position.
The Jets had a top-30 visit with a top offensive line prospect.
The New York Jets had a top-30 visit with a top offensive lineman.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Jets had a top-30 visit with Troy Fautanu.
Fautanu is considered one of the best offensive linemen in the 2024 NFL Draft. He primarily played left tackle at Washington but has some experience at guard.
Troy Fautanu had a great collegiate career with the Washington Huskies.
Fautanu committed to the Huskies as a three-star recruit for the 2019 season.
Fautanu redshirted in his true freshman season and didn’t play in any games.
Fautanu played in four games as a reserve in his redshirt freshman season.
Fautanu played in nine games, starting two at LT and one at LG in his redshirt sophomore season. He had four hurries, zero hits, one sack allowed, and a 69.5 PFF Grade.
Fautanu played in 13 games, starting 12 at LT and one at LG in his redshirt junior season. He had 13 hurries, two hits, zero sacks allowed, and a 77.9 PFF Grade. The Pac-12 named him to their All-Pac-12 Conference Second Team.
Fautanu played in 15 games, starting 15 at LT in his redshirt senior season. He had 18 hurries, three hits, two sacks allowed, and a 75.1 PFF Grade. The Pac-12 named him to their All-Pac-12 Conference First Team, and the Associated Press named him to their All-American Third Team.
What position will Troy Fautanu play in the NFL?
It’s unclear what position Fautanu will play in the NFL, and it’s ultimately up to the team that drafts him. Despite playing well at tackle in college, many scouts view him as a guard because he is undersized.
Fautanu took issue with the narrative that he is too small to play tackle in the NFL.
“I think I’m a tackle. Grouping me in a category with guards because of how tall I am, I honestly feel like it was a lazy narrative that grew legs for some reason. That’s lazy analysis,” Fautanu said. “Just watch the tape. I played tackle at a high level…I truly feel like I played the tackle position at a legitimately high level.”
Despite wanting to play tackle in the NFL, he is willing to play any position.
“I’m willing to play guard or center if that’s what it takes. I took snaps as a center at pro day. I had never done it before. I picked it up pretty quickly. I’m comfortable playing anywhere. My easy answer would be to continue playing tackle. That’s where I’ve played the last three or four years.”
Which team drafts Troy Fautanu?
For More Content:
Follow me on Twitter/X @JacksonLoschko. If you have any questions, you can message me on Linkedin. To read more of our articles and be updated on the latest in CFB/NFL, click here.