It was an uncomfortable conversation.
Olu Fashanu should be the steal of steals in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He was supposed to be the blindside protector for the next decade, and probably still is, but this latest show was probably the worst of his career.
The former Penn State product allowed 2.5 sacks and five quarterback pressures against the Detroit Lions in Week 3. He now leads the league in sacks allowed (four).
You may be saying to yourself or yelling at the computer, but Paul, it’s a game; aren’t we overdoing it? But that’s the thing: it’s not just a game.
This season, he is the 20th, 36th, and 15th ranked offensive tackle in overall grade, pass block grade, and run block grade, according to Pro Football Focus.
Last year there were signs of struggle. In those same categories, he ranked 39th, 27th, and 65th in total grade, pass block grade, and run block grade among qualified offensive tackles.
If it’s just a game, you can write it. It became a pattern. Fashanu was bullied by superstars and random players (I’m looking at you DJ Wonnum) alike. He wasn’t consistently bad, but he wasn’t consistently good either.
Next offseason, the Jets will have to decide on his fifth-year option. What once looked like a slam-dunk yes decision now doesn’t appear so clear-cut.
Faria’s Focus Week 3: 10 Thoughts on Jets’ Crush on Lions (Silver Linings, Injury Woes, Geno Smith & More) – Nick Faria/Jets at SI