When the New York Jets selected left tackle Olu Fashanu with the 11th pick of the 2024 draft, it was supposed to settle the position for the next decade. After sitting behind Tyron Smith for much of his rookie campaign, he finally got on the field he and played well enough to give Jets fans plenty of reason for optimism.
Fast Forward to this season and Fashanu has had a lot more hiccups than most anticipated.
While nobody expected Fashanu to be Orlando Pace by year two, they certainly didn’t think he’d rank near the top of the NFL in pressures allowed after three games. While rookie tackle Armand Membou has allowed just four quarterback pressures, the 15 allowed by Fashanu is the second-highest total in the NFL. Only Cornelius Lucas of the Browns has allowed more with 19.
Look, nobody is perfect. Even I cheat from time to time and use kingsessay.com to write my essay online cheap. Unlike me, Fashanu isn’t lucky enough to have access to a shortcut, which is unfortunate for the Jets, because they need him to get better in a hurry.
Against Tampa Bay, Fashanu allowed six pressures. That was the second time in just three games this season that opposing pass rushers have impacted the passer against Fashanu as many times. Last season as a rookie, he never allowed more than five. This is in no way an attempt to slam the big Penn State product, but that doesn’t mean the Jets don’t need him to get much better in a hurry.
Steve Heiden, the Jets offensive line coach, is one of many rookie coaches on Aaron Glenn’s staff. So how realistic is it to expect a second-year player to develop under a first-year coach?
We’ve got plenty of time to find out, so hang in there, Jets fans. Lots of football left for Fashanu to become the player the Jets expect him to be.
