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While a lot of fans and reporters were clamoring for the Jets to pick a receiver or tight end (Brock Bowers), they picked offensive tackle Olu Fashanu.
The organization didn’t cave to public pressure, or make a decision based on public opinion polls, and after trading back one pick, they took the second highest-rated left tackle in the draft, Fashanu, while adding extra picks from the Minnesota Vikings, by trading back one slot. The Jets got a few calls for the pick, and sent it to Minnesota, a team that wanted to beat another club to get Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy.
They added two solid offensive tackles this off-season, signing Tyron Smith as a free agent, and trading for Morgan Moses, but both players are 33 and had injuries last year.
Also, both players are signed for just one year.
And considering all the issues they had on their offensive line last year, due to injuries, and inconsistent play, and considering they have a 40-year-old QB coming off a torn Achilles, don’t you think adding another tackle was the best way to go?
No doubt.
Plus, they already have two #1 receivers on the roster – Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams.
They also have plenty of talent at tight end with the underrated Tyler Conklin, third-year player Jeremy Ruckert who needs to get on the field more, and others.
Look, it’s always best to stick to your horizontal value board and pick the highest-rated player, so if that is a receiver or tight end when they are on the clock, they probably should have picked that player.
But Fashanu was the highest-rated player on their board and they filled a big need as well, the best of both words.
But considering the age of their tackles, and the importance of keeping Rodgers upright, you could make a strong argument that picking an offense tackle in the first round was the way to, even if that is boring to some.
Joe Douglas played this perfectly.
Getting extra picks to move back one spot, and getting his guy, was quite an effort by the Jets GM.
Fashanu is an impressive guy on and off the field, and a bonafide NFL left tackle prospect.
There were tackles in this draft, like Taliese Fuaga and JC Latham, who are more right tackles.
This guy is a legitimate left tackle with great feet and long arms.
The only concern are his hands, which are very small for a huge offensive tackle, measuring just 8 1⁄2 inches.
But what a great insurance policy for Smith, who hasn’t played a full season since 2016, due to myriad injuries.
If Smith stays healthy, Fashanu won’t see the field for a while, aside from coming in as a sixth tackle, but if Smith does miss any time, what a terrific insurance policy.
And Smith will be an amazing mentor to Fashanu, who is only 21.
Hat-tip to the Jets for making a mature pick.
This isn’t fantasy football.
They have enough weapons for Rodgers.
But they better make sure he’s protected.
April 25, 2024
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