NFL Mock Draft: Jets Pick Senior Bowl Star?
It's no secret that the New York Jets are in the market for a starting offensive tackle. Whether or not they find an answer through the 2024 NFL Draft remains one of the key questions of the offseason.
In the latest mock draft from NFL.com, Eric Edholm predicts that the Jets will solve their problem by using the No. 10 overall selection on a bookend. After Notre Dame's Joe Alt went to the Tennessee Titans at No. 7 in the draft order, New York opted for Oregon State's Taliese Fuaga.
This scenario has the Jets passing on the chance to draft Penn State's Olu Fashanu, who is believed to be a top-tier offensive tackle prospect. Fashanu fell to the New Orleans Saints at No. 14 overall, one pick after the Las Vegas Raiders selected Alabama offensive tackle JC Latham.
Fuaga to the Jets wouldn't be a surprise considering the reports coming out of Reese's Senior Bowl Week. Following an impressive practice week, Fuaga was tabbed as the National Team's top offensive lineman by a vote of his peers. New York defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich got an up-close look at the Oregon State product in Mobile while serving as the National Team head coach.
© Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
The 6-foot-6 Fuaga made 25 starts at right tackle over the past two seasons for Oregon State. He played his way to back-to-back All-Pac 12 Conference honors.
The Jets, who used 12 different starting offensive line combinations in 17 games last season, need stability up front as well as a reliable blindside protector for 40-year-old field general Aaron Rodgers. With Duane Brown and Mekhi Becton set to hit free agency, and the Jets' interest in bringing either one back seemingly waning, a first-round offensive tackle is looking more likely by the day.
Writes NFL.com:
"The Jets need to add skill-position talent, but the offensive line absolutely must improve in 2024. And this just feels like a prospect general manager Joe Douglas could fall for. Although Fuaga played right tackle almost exclusively for the Beavers, he could be tried at guard if needed."
