The NY Jets' plan when they selected Olu Fashanu with the 11th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft was to keep him at left tackle. After all, the Jets drafted Fashanu with the expectation that he would be the team's long-term left tackle of the future.
Fashanu exclusively worked at left tackle for most of the summer before getting a few reps in at right tackle late in training camp. That proved to be a fruitful decision as following an injury to Morgan Moses early in the season, Fashanu would be thrust into the starting lineup earlier than expected at right tackle.
While the rookie had his share of growing pains, Fashanu mostly held his own. He returned to the bench once Moses returned which is where he remained...until Thursday night's game.
The Jets pulled off a stunning 21-13 victory over the Houston Texans on Thursday Night Football in Week 9 in a game in which they lost multiple starting offensive linemen. Fashanu was forced back onto the field, this time playing a position he had quite literally never played before.
Olu Fashanu never played guard before the NY Jets' Week 9 win
Backup tackle Max Mitchell came in to replace left guard John Simpson who exited with a groin injury. Soon enough, starting right guard Jake Hanson would exit with a hamstring injury early in the second half. Fashanu was thrust into the game in his place.
The Penn State product would tell reporters following the game that he had never played a single rep at guard in his football career. Even dating back to his time in high school and college Fashanu had literally never even practiced at the position. Thursday night was his baptism by fire.
Fashanu more than held his own in his new role, even if he admitted after the game that center Joe Tippmann had to tell him what to do before each play. He was learning on the fly, and the Jets' offensive line didn't miss a beat after he was inserted into the game.
Mitchell summed it up best when he said "[Fashanu] was drinking water through a fire hose." Despite the challenge he was facing, Fashanu managed to overcome and thrive in a high-pressure situation.
His efforts helped the Jets snap a five-game losing streak and win in emphatic fashion against a previously 6-2 Texans team. Without Fashanu and the offensive line stepping up in the second half, that doesn't happen.
The Jets still believe Fashanu is their left tackle of the future, but for now, it's nice to know he can pinch in and help at other positions before he eventually secures his permanent place on the offensive line.
