Executives seem split on Jets drafting Olu Fashanu over playmaker

NFL executives seem somewhat torn about the New York Jets' decision to move down a spot in the 2024 draft to make Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu the 11th overall pick while Georgia tight end Brock Bowers was still on the board. 

"They are in win-now mode, which is why I thought they would go Bowers all the way or any player that would help them win this year," one executive told Mike Sando of The Athletic. "Instead, they drafted a tackle who might not play for them this year and might not be well-suited to kick inside and play guard. It certainly is a good long-term process, but where they are as an organization, they gotta win this year." 

Certain members of the Jets aren't hiding the fact they're in "Super-Bowl-or-bust" mode, considering Aaron Rodgers turns 41 years old this December and is coming off a torn Achilles. Per Patrick Lanni of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, Rodgers sounded slightly disappointed last week that the Jets took Fashanu, considering they made multiple offseason moves to bolster their offensive line. At that same time, Rodgers referred to Fashanu as "a mauler" who won't "need to jump in right away" as a pro. 

"When you are picking in the top 10, and you need offensive line help, and you take a tight end, that is malpractice," a different executive said at the NFL Scouting Combine. "You can’t do that." 

Rodgers played only four meaningful offensive snaps in the 2023 regular-season opener before he went down with a setback that ultimately sunk New York's playoff hopes. Thus, it's understandable Jets general manager Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh desperately want to ensure Rodgers stays healthy through at least January 2025. 

"O-line made so much sense there," a third executive said about the Jets' decision. "I don’t know how you go any other way."

As of Friday, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Jets at +1100 odds to represent the AFC in Super Bowl LIX. The harsh truth is that the Fashanu pick and other offseason decisions will likely matter little for the 2024 Jets if Rodgers is again indefinitely sidelined before Halloween.