Veteran Draft Expert Mocks Much-Needed Offensive Tackle to Jets in Round 1

Kiper projects Penn State bookend to land in New York

The guru infers it's a no-brainer if one of the top-two offensive tackle prospects is available when the New York Jets make their first-round selection at No. 10 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft order.

In his latest of many mock drafts to come, ESPN's Mel Kiper projected the Jets to select Penn State bookend Olu Fashanu. The 21-year-old Fashanu would be the second offensive tackle off the board in Kiper's scenario. The Tennessee Titans landed the highly-coveted Joe Alt from Notre Dame at No. 7 overall in the mock exercise.

The first three picks in Kiper's potential plot are all quarterbacks, with Caleb Williams leading the way at No. 1 overall to the Chicago Bears.

Fashanu made 12 starts as the left tackle in his final season at Penn State. The Rimington-Pace Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year was also a finalist for the William Campbell Trophy also known as college football's "Academic Heisman."

Alt broke into the lineup as a freshman and proceeded to make 33 consecutive starts over three seasons at Notre Dame. The left tackle was a team captain in 2023, earning consensus All-America First Team honors.

With Mekhi Becton set to hit free agency, and Duane Brown likely moving on, the Jets certainly have a void to fill at offensive tackle. In 2023, the Pittsburgh Steelers jumped ahead of the Jets and selection Georgia tackle Broderick Jones at No. 14 overall. New York drafted edge rusher Will McDonald one pick later.

The 2024 NFL Draft is set for April 25-27 in Detroit.

From Mel Kiper's Round 1 predictions for 32 picks:

10. New York Jets: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

"One year after the Jets got jumped by the Steelers in Round 1 and lost out on Broderick Jones, here's a chance for New York to get its left tackle of the present and future. It's the biggest void on the offense, especially with Mekhi Becton hitting free agency. As quarterback Aaron Rodgers makes his return to the lineup, he'd be thrilled to have Fashanu protecting his blind side.

At 6-foot-6, 319 pounds, Fashanu has the physical traits and footwork of an elite lineman. He could have been a first-rounder in last year's draft if he had entered. He allowed one sack in 21 career starts for the Nittany Lions. He still hasn't come close to reaching his ceiling."

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