NFL Scouting Combine Preview: Elite Offensive Tackles On Display For Jets
The New York Jets' primary need appears to be a strength of this year's draft class.
With free agent left tackles Mekhi Becton and Duane Brown likely on the way out, the Jets will presumably target a franchise bookend to stabilize the offensive line and protect quarterback Aaron Rodgers's blindside.
Set to pick at No. 10 overall in the draft order, the Jets will likely miss out on Notre Dame's Joe Alt and Penn State's Olu Fashanu, widely viewed as the top-two offensive tackle prospects heading into the NFL Combine. New York, however, will have its choice amongst the tier of next-best options, all of whom project as NFL starters.
“It’s a really good draft to need a quarterback or tackle. It’s really good at the premium positions in general," said an AFC executive in a conversation with Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, who is on his way to Indianapolis.
Breer claims there are at least seven offensive tackles with first-round grades.
"So we’ve established quarterback as a strength. Tackle and receiver are, too. At the former, seven prospects (Notre Dame’s Joe Alt, Penn State’s Olu Fashanu, Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga, Georgia’s Amarius Mims, Alabama’s JC Latham, Washington’s Troy Fautanu and Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton) are all considered first-round locks and could go inside the top 20 or so," said Breer in his MMQB column.
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There is the slim possibility that Fashanu slips to No. 10, let's assume, for argument's sake, that Alt and Fashanu are off the board by the time the Jets pick. At this juncture in the draft season, Fuaga is viewed as the third-best prospect amongst bookends, but he played on the right side in college. Although 2023 fourth-rounder Carter Warren put forth an adequate effort while starting the season's last three games at right tackle, Fuaga would be seen as a noticeable upgrade. The Oregon State product received a 91.7 run blocking grade from Pro Football Focus and did not allow a sack in any of his starts last season.
All seven potential first-round tackles received invitations to the Combine and will look to improve their draft stock this week in Indianapolis. Although head coach Robert Saleh won't be there, Jets' general manager Joe Douglas is scheduled to speak on Wednesday.
