Solid Starter
Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State – Round 1 
The offensive tackle position was a disaster for New York in 2023. General manager Joe Douglas used his first draft pick on Mekhi Becton in 2020, and the massive edge blocker was a huge bust for New York. This offseason Douglas added veteran left tackle Tyron Smith, traded for right tackle Morgan Moses, and then followed it up with taking Fashanu at pick 11. Becton was the 11th overall-pick in 2020, and hopefully for New York they get it right this time with Fashanu.
The 6-foot-6, 320-pound Fashanu is a safe pick to be a quality starter in the NFL. As a pass blocker, Fashanu has a quality skill set to be an edge protector. He is not elite with movement, but uses his size and length well to entangle defensive linemen. His natural mass and size leads to a strong base that can negate bull rushes. After sinking his weight, Fashanu holds his ground and does not given drive back into the quarterback. There is some stiffness with Fashanu, but not to the point where it is a crushing weakness. Fashanu is not a dominant pass blocker, but he is efficient.
In the ground game, Fashanu is not one to create a big push or toss defenders around. Fashanu is not violent or nasty as the point of attack. There are times where he finishes defensive linemen but he is not consistently violent up front. As a pro, Fashanu might be a run blocker that is gets more wins by turning, manipulating, or stalling defenders.
In speaking to sources at multiple teams during the lead up to the draft, they did not see Fashanu as that caliber of prospect. They think that Fashanu is solid, but not elite and they saw him being an appropriate value in the mid to late portion of the first round.
“He’s not elite movement wise,” said an AFC director of players personnel. “He uses his size and length well. He’s efficient in pass pro, but I would like him to be more nasty and he’s not consistent with his violence. He can play left tackle but not an elite left tackle type athlete. He’s not nearly as athletic as say a Penei Sewell.”
“There is a hint of stiffness. He’s best in pass protection and the run blocking isn’t very good to me,” said a NFC director of player personnel. “Not real surge or push because he’s not violent and gets shed too frequently. A little more athletic flare than Okung, but they’re similar.”
In the short-term, Fashanu will be a backup if things go well for New York. If Moses and Smith stay healthy they should be the starting tackles for the Jets. However both could be one-year solutions and Smith has struggled to stay healthy at times during his career. Injuries could easily force Fashanu to start as a rookie. Over time, I think Fashanu will emerge as a solid starter for New York and is a safer selection than Becton was.
2022: Joe Tippman, C
2022: Brecee Hall, RB
2021: Elijah Moore, WR
2020: Jabari Zuniga, DE
2019: Jachai Polite, DE
2018: Nathan Shepard, DT
2017: Jamal Adams, S
2016: Darron Lee, LB
2015: Devin Smith, WR
2014: Calvin Pryor, S
2013: Dee Milliner, CB
Most Likely To Bust
NONE
The Jets were without a second-round pick thanks to the Aaron Rodgers trade and I don’t see a player with serious bust potential among their two early-round picks. I think both Olu Fashanu and third-round wide receiver Malachi Corley could become solid starters during their pro career.
2023: None
2022: Jermaine Johnson, DE
2021: Zach Wilson, QB
2020: Ashtyn Davis, S
2019: Chuma Edoga, OT
2018: Chris Herndon, TE
2017: Chad Hanson, WR
2016: Jordan Jenkins, LB
2015: Bryce Petty, QB
2014: Dexter McDougle, CB
2013: Geno Smith, QB
Potential Boom Pick
NONE
The Jets were without a second-round pick and I don’t see a real boom pick candidate with Fashanu or Corley. I think both could be solid starters but neither has boom potential.
2023: Will McDonald, DE
2022: Sauce Gardner, CB
2021: Alijah Vera-Tucker, G
2020: Mekhi Becton, OT
2019: Quinnen Williams, DT
2018: Sam Darnold, QB
2017: Marcus Maye, S
2016: Christian Hackenberg, QB
2015: Leonard Williams, DE
2014: Jace Amaro, TE
2013: Sheldon Richardson, DT
Future Depth Player
Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin – Round 4 
The Jets were in need of some running back depth and the 2024 draft class had a plethora of quality mid-round back prospects. Allen was among those good value picks and he was a nice selection in the opening round of day three of the draft.
For the NFL, Allen (6-1, 235) is a physical downhill runner that that will power through tackles and is really tough for defenders to get on the ground. Allen has a strong, thick build with lower body strength to run through defenders and pick up yards after contact. With good balance and patience, Allen can make one cut and then get North-South running downhill and charging into the secondary. As a pro Allen will be an asset in short-yardage and goal line situations.
Along with his power, Allen has enough quickness to hit the hole and a second gear to accelerate to the second level, but he lacks deep speed and will get caught from behind by pro defenders. Allen also is a big back that can run upright at times so improving his body lean will help him to be more effective as a pro. Allen needs to improve that lean and keep the ball closer to his body as being upright and the ball away from him could lead to fumbles in the NFL. Even though Allen lacks elite speed and gets caught from behind, but he has enough quickness to be effective between the tackles.
New York has a good starter with Breece Hall, and Allen could be a good No. 2 back that lightens Hall’s work load. Allen could take away some of the pounding from short-yardage and goal line situations to help reduce the wear-and-tear on Hall. While Allen may not have the speed and receiving ability to become a three down starter, he could be a good No. 2 back that provides solid depth for the Jets.
2023: Carter Warren, OT
2022: Max Mitchell, OT
2021: Michael Carter, RB
2020: La’Mical Perine, RB
2019: Blessaun Austin, CB
2018: Parry Nickerson, CB
2017: Jordan Leggett, TE
2016: Charone Peak, WR
2015: Jarvis Harrison, G
2014: Tajh Boyd, QB
2013: Brian Winters, G
