New York Jets Trade Down to 11th Pick, Select Olu Fashanu from Penn State as First Pick of Draft
Amidst the flurry of trade discussions swirling around the NFL Draft, the New York Jets initiated the first trade of the evening, relinquishing their position to the 11th spot to the Minnesota Vikings, who moved up to 10th place while the Jets were on the clock.
With the 11th overall pick, the Jets opted for Olu Fashanu, a talented tackle from Penn State, aiming to bolster their offensive line depth and quality to safeguard quarterback Aaron Rodgers and propel head coach Robert Saleh’s offensive strategies as the 2024 season looms.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Olu to the Jets,” remarked general manager Joe Douglas in a briefing following the completion of the trade and selection.
Fashanu, a seasoned player with four years of experience and two years as a starter at left tackle for the Nittany Lions, rebounded impressively after a truncated 2022 season due to injury. He culminated the past season with 12 starts, earning accolades such as first-team All-American by the Associated Press and Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year. Additionally, he was a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, renowned as the “Academic Heisman.”
During his visits to NFL teams, Fashanu sensed a potential alignment with the Jets.
“They showed genuine interest,” Fashanu revealed to the team’s media on Thursday night. “Though they concealed it well, it felt different from other teams. After the Combine, it became clear to me that the Jets were the ideal fit.”
Douglas emphasized the uniqueness of this year’s draft class in terms of tackle prospects, highlighting Fashanu’s prowess in pass protection and his underrated abilities in run-blocking.
“It’s a remarkable draft class for tackles,” noted Douglas. “Olu, particularly as a left tackle, excels in pass protection with minimal pressure rates. He’s proven himself in one of the nation’s top conferences and possesses a commendable level of competitiveness.”
“You’re familiar with my preferences by now. Offensive line, defensive line, the more players, the better,” Saleh remarked. “One can never have enough.” The coach elaborated that the recent acquisitions of veteran tackles Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses will aid Fashanu’s transition to the professional game. “They possess a wealth of experience, not only in technique but also in the professionalism and preparation required at this level. The young man is only 21 years old. He has barely begun to tap into his potential.”
Fashanu anticipates numerous advantages in donning the green and white as early as next week’s rookie minicamp. Three of those reasons are three players he studied extensively when he first started playing football at his high school in Washington, DC: quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and fellow tackles Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses.
“Growing up, I watched Aaron Rodgers and admired all the great things he achieved throughout his career. To have the opportunity to be on the same team and seek advice from him on what made his career successful, that’s an incredible opportunity,” he expressed.
Regarding Smith, Fashanu remarked, “I feel like I’m living a dream. He was the first player I ever studied when I began watching film as a tackle. At that time, he set the standard for left tackles.” Similarly, for Moses: “I’ve analyzed a lot of film of him from the past. To have the chance to learn from two veteran tackles, I feel truly fortunate.”
In addition to the 10th overall pick, the Jets also traded their sixth-round selection, 203rd pick, to the Vikings. In return, they received the Vikings’ 11th pick, as well as their fourth-round choice (129th) and fifth-rounder (157th).
“The additional resources are advantageous. They provide us with more flexibility,” Douglas stated. “We will evaluate how the remainder of this round unfolds, assemble our board for tomorrow night, and there will be five or six potential scenarios for moving up or down. Having those extra picks gives us the flexibility to explore different options.”
Over the years, the Jets have frequently drafted players from Penn State University, with Fashanu being the 28th Nittany Lion selected by the Green & White. Many notable Penn State Jets draftees have excelled on the defensive side, starting with LB Ralph Baker (43rd, 1964), followed by DE John Ebersole (98th, 1970), LB Greg Buttle (67th, 1976), LB Lance Mehl (69th, 1980), S Harry Hamilton (176th, 1984), and DT Lou Benfatti (94th, 1994). More recently, offensive players from PSU have been prominent: TE Mickey Shuler (61st, 1978), RB Blair Thomas (2nd, 1990), OL Roger Duffy (196th, 1990), FB Richie Anderson (144th, 1993), TE Kyle Brady (9th, 1995), T Kareem McKenzie (79th, 2001), and most recently QB Christian Hackenberg (51st, 2016).
The last time the Jets selected a tackle in Round 1 was Mekhi Becton from Louisville, 11th overall in the 2020 draft. The last time they drafted a tackle higher than 10th was when they selected D’Brickashaw Ferguson from Virginia fourth overall in 2006. Other notable Round 1 tackles for the Jets included Dave Cadigan (8th, 1988) and Mike Haight (22nd, 1986), along with Dave Foley (26th, 1969) and William Yearby (13th, 1966) from their AFL days.