Neither of the Jets’ starting offensive tackles participated in Saturday’s “Green and White” scrimmage, giving first-round draft pick Olu Fashanu the opportunity to work with Aaron Rodgers and the first-team offense.
But Jets coach Robert Saleh said the Jets don’t need Fashanu, the 11th overall draft pick, to play regularly as a rookie and would be better off letting him work behind 33-year-old veteran tackle Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses, who have been transferred from the Jets.
“That’s the goal,” Saleh said after practice at Florham Park. “Olu, he’s another one of those guys I’m really excited about. [games]Play against other players.
“He’s got a really strong lower body. He’s got a spongy build, a real spongy build, and he’s a technician in every sense of the word. He’s very smart and very driven.” [We] I definitely wouldn’t let that kid get away.”
Smith was a eight-time Pro Bowl selection over 13 seasons with the Cowboys, but missed four games last year with an injury and has not played more than 13 games in a season since 2015.
Still, the Jets signed Smith and Moses, who was with the Jets in 2021 before spending the past two seasons with the Ravens, as part of a winning strategy to surround Rodgers as he works his way back from Achilles surgery.
Oft-injured former first-round draft pick Mekhi Becton signed with the Eagles in the offseason.
“I don’t think a lot of people are fortunate enough to be in a position where they have two great tackles in the same room,” said Fashanu, who played collegiately at Penn State. “I’ve made the most of it. They’re great. They’re always right behind me, guiding me on the right path, helping me with anything I need, and giving me extra advice to take the next step in my game. It’s awesome.”
Fashanu, who worked primarily at left tackle during camp, said Smith “given me specific tips on how to load my stance, how to be more explosive, how to move my hands, a lot of different things” in both the running and passing game.
“Just having that opportunity and having that insight and perspective. [Smith] “It’s been great,” said Fashanu, 21. “I’ve got a Hall of Fame left tackle and another veteran tackle in my room, so I guess I do.”
“They’re both great people who can help me grow in any way, so I try to look at it that way. … As a rookie, the most important thing is to have someone older to help you get better.”
Of course, as Saleh pointed out, there’s a big difference between playing the position in college and going up against edge rushers in the NFL, and Fashanu said he’s learning that by going up against the Jets’ vaunted pass rush every day in practice.
“There’s been a big difference,” Fashanu said. “In the Big Ten, or college football in general, I’d say a lot of the pass rushers are one-dimensional, so it’s a lot easier to scout them and know what they’re going to do. But here, at least on our defensive line, all of our edge rushers have both speed and power and good handles, so it’s definitely a lot harder.”
“There are definitely some areas to improve on. Everyone here is a lot bigger, a lot faster and a lot stronger, so for me, going half a second faster than last year would make a big difference.”
