New York Jets first-round offensive tackle Olu Fashanu has a rare opportunity as a rookie.
After drafting Fashanu at No. 11 overall this past April, the Jets are not pressuring the Penn State product to immediately jump into the starting left tackle spot. Instead, the highly-touted rookie can acclimate himself to the NFL level and hone his craft while backing up veteran All-Pro Tyron Smith.
In addition to serving as insurance on Aaron Rodgers's blindside, Fashanu will have the chance to take first-team practice reps periodically as was the case on Friday at training camp in Florham Park.
The 33-year-old Smith, who has missed multiple games each of his last eight seasons as a Dallas Cowboys starter, is on a maintenance plan aimed at maximizing his availability on game days.
"Tyron, scheduled day off," said New York's fourth-year head coach Robert Saleh after Practice No. 3.
Meanwhile, the rookie went up against the team's vaunted defensive front and seemingly held his own during a practice open to media. Even though the pads have yet to come on, the reps were likely beneficial to Fashanu.
"It's really beneficial for all those guys, but for Olu to get the extra reps that he normally wouldn't get," said Saleh. "Olu is going to be a really good football player in this League and all those reps are extremely valuable."
The initial plan is for those reps to come strictly on the left side as opposed to Fashanu rotating between left and right tackle.
"For now, yeah," said Saleh confirming the rookie's status as a left tackle.
