NY Jets fans will love Olu Fashanu's NFL comparison

The NY Jets have high expectations for new offensive tackle Olu Fashanu, who they selected with the 11th overall pick in last night's 2024 NFL Draft. The hope is that Fashanu will not only serve as a much-needed insurance policy as a rookie but that he will be the team's long-term starting left tackle.

Many scouts believed that Fashanu was arguably the best and most natural pass blocker in this year's draft with outstanding athleticism and length that give him All-Pro potential in the NFL.

In fact, many have been comparing Fashanu to a certain former Jets left tackle who spent a decade in the NFL dominating opposing pass rushers. That player is D'Brickashaw Ferguson.

It's not just the Jets connection either. Fashanu has been drawing comparisons to Ferguson throughout the entire pre-draft process. Bleacher Report's official scouting report for Fashanu listed Ferguson as his pro comparison, and it's easy to see why.

Can Olu Fashanu be the next D'Brickashaw Ferguson for the NY Jets?

Fashanu stands at 6-foot-6, 312 pounds, and ran a 5.11 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Ferguson measured in at his Combine at 6-foot-5, 312 pounds, and ran a 5.08 40-yard dash.

The two players have nearly identical physical makeups, and both players had very similar strengths and weaknesses entering the draft. Both Fashanu and Ferguson were seen as natural athletes with a high ceiling as pass blockers, even if their run-blocking was still a work in progress.

Both Ferguson and Fashanu were named first-team All-Americans in their final collegiate seasons, establishing themselves as top players at their position entering the NFL Draft.

The comparison between Fashanu and Ferguson is obvious but also justified. Unlike Ferguson, however, Fashanu likely isn't going to be asked to start immediately in his NFL career.

That's perfectly fine for a Jets team that hopes Fashanu can learn behind Morgan Moses and future Hall of Fame left tackle Tyron Smith. Given Smith's injury history, it's also fair to assume Fashanu will see a decent amount of playing time this year regardless.

Ferguson started 160 games for the Jets over 10 seasons and never missed a single snap due to injury. If Fashanu can turn into anything close to the player Ferguson was for New York, Jets fans won't have any complaints.