4 NY Jets players who can surge up the depth chart in training camp

Every training camp has its darlings. The unsung, the unheralded, or the young stud who just needs a little more seasoning, eventually some make their mark and show the initial evaluation was wrong or they were further along in their development than previously thought.

Sometimes those camp darlings start climbing the depth chart and make impacts in big ways. They take starting jobs from more seasoned veterans. They take on crucial roles. They excite fans at the potential of what could be. Coaches and general managers will rave, and at the end of the summer, the hype can reach a fever pitch.

Last year saw the likes of Jermaine Johnson, Xavier Gipson, Jason Brownlee, and Tony Adams get that hype throughout camp. Sometimes, like in Johnson's case, it's well warranted and a signal that a player has truly arrived. Sometimes, once the calendar turns to September the hype extinguishes like a sparkler on the Fourth of July.

Today we're going to take a look at four players who could soar up the depth chart in training camp. It doesn't mean they'll stay there, but all four have at least a decent shot of earning a bigger role and proving their worth once the regular season kicks off.

1. Olu Fashanu, OT, NY Jets

Heading the list is offensive tackle Olu Fashanu whom the Jets drafted No. 11 overall this year. Fashanu has already earned rave reviews from the coaching staff for his performance in minicamp, and has been a top tackle prospect for the better part of the last two years.

A left tackle by trade, Fashanu has never played right tackle in college nor has he practiced there yet as a pro. He has however worked out at both left and right tackle in college and is presumed to be the Jets backup in both spots. For his part, he's willing to play anywhere the team needs him.

The assumption is that Morgan Moses will be the starter entering the year at right tackle. At 33 years old, Moses is a 10-year veteran who has been exclusively a right tackle his entire pro career. He's always been a solid player and a quality starter.

Moses however isn't a superstar like left tackle Tyron Smith. And after so many years in the league, at a more advanced age, and coming off a major injury, there's a chance that he's not the second-best tackle on the team.

If Fashanu, who as a pass protector was incredible in college, proves to be the second-best tackle on the team it would not surprise to see him usurp Moses as the starter on the right side. Moses then would become the primary backup with Fashanu sliding over the left tackle in the event of an injury to Smith.

That's not uncharted territory for Moses, who began 2021 as the third tackle in his first stint with the Jets before sliding into the starting lineup in week one after Mekhi Becton's injury forced George Fant from right tackle to left tackle.

Just because Fashanu isn't penciled in as an immediate starter in his rookie year doesn't mean he's not immensely talented. If he proves 100% NFL-ready in training camp it wouldn't surprise for him to be one of the two starting tackles in week one.