Olu Fashanu showcased All-Pro potential in NY Jets preseason debut

The NY Jets' 2024 draft class made its debut in the team's preseason opener against the Washington Commanders on Saturday, and while his performance may have flown a little under the radar, first-round pick Olu Fashanu was quietly one of the stars of the game.

In reality, it's usually best when your offensive linemen fly under the radar. Fashanu was flagged for a false start early in the game but proceeded to put together a near-flawless performance after that.

The Penn State product played 25 snaps in the first half and finished with a team-best Pro Football Focus pass-block grade of 83.8. Fashanu didn't allow a single pressure on 14 pass-block opportunities.

Only six offensive tackles out of 73 qualifiers (min. 14 pass-block snaps) finished with a higher PFF pass-block grade than Fashanu in the first week of the preseason.

While his run blocking is still a work in progress (his 64.8 PFF run-block grade was merely average), Fashanu was the Jets' best pass blocker in Saturday's preseason victory. Fashanu proved that not only does he have legitimate All-Pro upside but that he could start from day one if asked to.

Olu Fashanu was very impressive in his NY Jets preseason debut

Of course, the Jets won't be asking Fashanu to start early in his career. The 21-year-old will instead be asked to sit and learn behind future Hall of Fame left tackle Tyron Smith for the time being.

Fashanu is a crucial insurance policy for the Jets as well as the team's projected starting left tackle of the future. It may just be one preseason game, but Saturday's outing showcased exactly why the Jets are so high on the young offensive tackle.

Fashanu was technically sound in pass protection, clearly taking some inspiration from his longtime idol and now teammate, Smith. The comparisons to former Jets left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, both from a physical and technical standpoint, are obvious.

Fashanu looked the part of a starting-caliber NFL left tackle in his preseason debut. That may not be his role right away, but the Jets should feel very confident entering the 2024 season with him as their primary backup offensive tackle. That's a significant luxury to have.

The Jets will hope to see continued development from Fashanu throughout the remainder of the summer, and he should be given plenty of reps with Smith likely sitting out for most if not all of the preseason.

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