The Jets struggled badly this season, but one thing for them to feel good about as they rebuild is their outlook at offensive tackle.

In the 2025 NFL Draft, New York used its first pick on an offensive tackle for the second season in a row as Armand Membou slotted in at right tackle and played like a 10-year veteran. To a degree, Membou’s emergence overshadowed the Jets’ other young starting tackle, Olu Fashanu, who was a full-time starter for the first time after initially starting out on the bench as a rookie.

Fashanu built on an encouraging rookie campaign by starting all 17 games at left tackle and putting together a solid season. The Jets may have plenty of holes to fill in the offseason, but they should feel optimistic that they have two young talents who will bookend the offensive line efficiently for years to come.

Let’s break down the key aspects of Fashanu’s performance:

Settling into the starting left tackle role

As a rookie, Fashanu had initially began his career on the bench with veterans Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses manning the tackle positions. However, as each missed time due to injuries, Fashanu got some opportunities and would eventually start seven games and play over 500 snaps.

Fashanu struggled initially, but that may have had more to do with the fact that he was playing out of position on the right side rather than at his natural left tackle position. He even filled in at guard in one game. Once he was able to start a run of games at left tackle, Fashanu settled down and played with much better consistency.

Ahead of the 2025 season, Fashanu was named the starting left tackle and he repaid the organization’s faith in him as he held down that role all year.

Durability

Fashanu was unable to finish out his rookie season after suffering a plantar fasciitis injury in Week 16, which landed him on injured reserve. However, his foot was completely healthy entering training camp and Fashanu was able to start all 17 games in 2025, missing just 12 snaps all season.

None of the five Week 1 starters for the Jets missed a start all season and four of those five remain under contract for 2026 with the fifth -- left guard John Simpson -- having expressed a desire to return. The Jets should be hopeful they can maintain continuity with a durable group that can stay on the field together and build more chemistry.

Run blocking

Fashanu was a big part of the Jets’ rushing attack this past season, which saw Breece Hall becoming the first Jets running back in 10 years to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season. For all their faults, New York had a top running game and were at their most competitive when they were able to lean on the ground game.

Thirty-five of Hall’s 56 first downs and three of Hall’s four touchdowns came rushing over the left side, per Pro Football Focus, as Fashanu impressed with his ability to seal his man off at the point of attack and get out into space to make blocks.

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