Senior Bowl Secret: Jets Interested In Offensive Tackle?

Oregon State right tackle Taliese Fuaga had a terrific college career in the PAC-12. So much so, that the New York Jets seem ready to do everything possible to bring him to the Big Apple.

The 2024 NFL Draft is known to be deep at several key positions like wide receiver and quarterback. 

Perhaps the deepest position group of all in the upcoming rookie class is the group of tackles. Whether it's Notre Dame star Joe Alt or Penn State phenom Olu Fashanu, there are plenty of offensive linemen who will hear their names called early in April's draft. 

That's great news for an offensive line-needy team like the New York Jets. 

New York's draft strategy has been pretty clear even before Senior Bowl workouts in Mobile, Alabama have concluded: they are trying to find a starting tackle to help protect four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers. 

It seems one of the participants at the Senior Bowl has certainly caught the Jets' eye at this point. 

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Taliese Fuaga, the Oregon State product who played predominately on the right side for his college career, has been an early standout at the Senior Bowl. His blend of size, power, and quickness have led to him rarely getting beat in workouts while rising most draft boards.

RT Taliese Fuaga held his own vs. Adisa Isaac today.

This is one of his favorite moves - show outside hand before taking it away, leaving the rusher chopping air. Great finish from Fuaga. pic.twitter.com/C1B9IK87ku

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 31, 2024

RT Taliese Fuaga held his own vs. Adisa Isaac today.

This is one of his favorite moves - show outside hand before taking it away, leaving the rusher chopping air. Great finish from Fuaga. pic.twitter.com/C1B9IK87ku

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 31, 2024

Fuaga's work in Mobile has caught the eye of Jets general manager Joe Douglas as first reported by ESPN Beat writer Rich Cimini. Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, one of the head coaches of the Senior Bowl also stated that he would "love" for Fuaga to land with the Jets. 

For his part, Fuaga did say during his post-practice interview that it would be "amazing" to play with a Hall-of-Fame player like Aaron Rodgers.

New York has the 10th overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. Based on a recent mock draft made earlier today on Sports Illustrated, they should have no problem selecting the First-Team All-American.

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The real question will be whether or not one of the top two prospects of Alt or Fashanu is also available. Then, the Jets would be left with a difficult decision, not unlike they were back in 2020 when they selected Mekhi Becton over current All-Pro Tristan Wirfs. 

New York missed that pick then, but they hope to have better luck this year. 

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