Olu Fashanu is closer to a 2026 breakout than many Jets fans realize

There was a time when finding a long-term answer at left tackle felt impossible for the New York Jets. D'Brickashaw Ferguson retired following the 2015 season, and what followed was a decade-long search for his successor.

The Jets cycled through veterans, draft picks, and short-term fixes, rarely finding stability at one of the most important positions on the field. But now they have Olu Fashanu.

Day 26 of the Camp Countdown belongs to the Blindside Bodyguard, the Penn State Protector, Baby D'Brickashaw, and one of the most important players on the Jets' roster entering the 2026 season. Yes, it's Olu Fashanu.

While Fashanu hasn't quite developed into the Pro Bowl-caliber left tackle many envisioned when he was selected 11th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, he's already established himself as a quality NFL starter. Year three presents an opportunity to take another step forward.

1. Where Olu Fashanu stands entering Jets training camp
2. Olu Fashanu finished 2025 playing the best football of his NFL career
3. What would make 2026 a success for Olu Fashanu
4. Recent 2026 Camp Countdown Breakdowns

Where Olu Fashanu stands entering Jets training camp

Fashanu enters training camp as the Jets' unquestioned starting left tackle. After splitting time between left and right tackle as a rookie, Fashanu finally spent an entire season at his natural position in 2025. He started all 17 games and continued to show why the Jets viewed him as a franchise cornerstone coming out of Penn State.

He's also still remarkably young. Fashanu won't turn 24 years old until late December. Through two NFL seasons, Fashanu has been a solid starter. He's a valuable piece of any NFL roster, especially as a left tackle. At the same time, expectations tend to be higher for a player drafted 11th overall.

That's where the conversation gets interesting. The good news for both Fashanu and the Jets is that the flashes of something more have already started to appear.

Olu Fashanu finished 2025 playing the best football of his NFL career

The overall numbers paint the picture of a good season, but the underlying numbers tell a more exciting story for Jets fans.

Fashanu's 74.5 Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade in 2025 was a sizable jump from the 59.4 mark he posted as a rookie. The improvement showed up in other areas as well.

After being flagged seven times in seven starts during his rookie season, Fashanu committed just three penalties all of last year. Interestingly enough, all three came in Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He wasn't penalized again for the remainder of the season.

But it was the second half of the season that Fashanu really showed signs of progress. From Weeks 8 through 18, Fashanu posted a top-five PFF pass-blocking grade among all NFL tackles. The only players who graded higher during that stretch were Garrett Bolles, Tristan Wirfs, Jordan Mailata, and Luke Goedeke.

That's pretty great company. The six sacks allowed last season might raise eyebrows, but they certainly don't tell the entire story. Fashanu was consistently effective in pass protection, particularly as the season progressed. The quarterback situation didn't always do the offensive line many favors, either.

Run blocking remains the bigger area for growth, which isn't particularly surprising. Coming out of Penn State, Fashanu's reputation was built on his smooth footwork, technique, and pass-protection ability. It's why he drew pre-draft comparisons to the aforementioned Ferguson.

What would make 2026 a success for Olu Fashanu

A successful third season for Fashanu would look something like the Penn State product building on the progress he showed late last year and turning those flashes into a full-season performance.

The good news is that the overall foundation is already there. He's durable. He's improving. He's entering his third season with a full year of experience at left tackle under his belt. The penalties are down. His pass protection is already a calling card.

Now it's about finding the week-to-week consistency. If Fashanu takes another step forward, the Jets could enter 2027 with three young offensive linemen playing at an above-average level or better in Fashanu, Joe Tippmann, and Armand Membou. That's how good offenses are built.

The Jets spent years searching for a long-term answer at left tackle. Fashanu has already shown more promise than almost all of his predecessors. The next step is becoming one of the reasons this Jets offensive line can be one of the NFL's best.

Recent 2026 Camp Countdown Breakdowns

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