The New York Jets started off the first night of the 2024 NFL Draft by trading down one pick to the 11th overall selection. The Minnesota Vikings, who traded up to 10th by sending pick 11, 129, and 157 to the Jets, selected Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy. New York also sent pick number 203 to Minnesota.
With the 11th overall pick in the draft, the Jets selected offensive tackle Olumuyia (Olu) Fashanu from Penn State. Going into the draft, offensive line help was high on the team’s list of needs, especially following the disastrous performance of their unit in 2023.
Former Jets quarterback Zach Wilson, who was traded to the Denver Broncos this offseason, was sacked 46 times in 2023, the third most of any quarterback in the NFL last season.
The New York Jets Poor Offensive Line Cost Them Aaron Rodgers Early in Week One
The Jets’ 2023 offseason was, of course, highlighted by their trade with the Green Bay Packers for four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers. For the rest of the offseason, hopes and expectations were high that the future Hall of Famer would finally bring New York back to contention and, perhaps, even Super Bowl glory.
Unfortunately, that did not happen. Just four snaps into his tenure as the Jets’ quarterback, Rodgers’ protection broke down and he was forced to scramble out of the pocket against the Buffalo Bills in their Week One matchup.
The result of the play was a torn Achilles tendon for Rodgers, ending his season before it could even really begin.
Rodgers’ injury, along with the offensive line’s inability to keep Wilson and Tim Boyle upright, shed a glaring light on the failure of general manager and the front office to protect their quarterbacks.
The New York Jets Took Olumuyiwa with the 11th Pick in the 2024 NFL Draft
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As mentioned, the Jets used their 11th overall pick from Minnesota to select Olu Fashanu from Penn State. Fashanu was the second offensive lineman taken in the 2024 NFL Draft, behind Notre Dame’s Joe Alt who was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers with the fifth overall pick.
According to the scouting report by Lance Zierlein of NFL.com:
“A toolsy two-year starter with loads of potential, 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. He’s long and has really effective recovery agility to help keep his quarterback clean, but inconsistent pass slides and excessive leaning could make things harder than they need to be early on.
“Overall, the work ethic, traits and tape make it easier to project Fashanu’s continued improvement into a very good left tackle.”
Prior to being traded to the Jets, Rodgers spent his last several years in Green Bay having his blindside protected by five-time All-Pro David Bakhtiari. Needless to say, Fashanu has some big shoes to fill when it comes to protecting the future Hall of Famer.
It seems, though, that Rodgers is looking forward to working with the young lineman.
New York Jets Quarterback Aaron Rodgers Reacts to the Olu Fashanu Selection in the 2024 NFL Draft
Following the Jets’ selection of Fashanu, Rodgers posted the following on X (formerly Twitter):
Awesome moment ❤️. Welcome @olu_fashanu 🛩️ # https://t.co/DtufWmSWGE
— Aaron Rodgers (@AaronRodgers12) April 26, 2024
Despite Rodgers being injured for the year and their failed free agent signings last season, the Jets still finished 7-10. If their star quarterback can stay healthy, there is hope that they could compete for a spot in the NFL Playoffs.
And Fashanu will play a big part in that chase as he is tasked with protecting one of the most competitive quarterbacks in the league.
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