There may appear to be an impending competition for the New York Jets' starting offensive tackle spots, but not if the situation unfolds according to initial plans.
With NFL training camps popping up around the country, the talking heads and analysts have begun to focus in on the important position battles that await. CBS Sports writer Cody Benjamin identified what he interprets as the "the top 14 battles to monitor," and the Jets' starting tackle spots made the list that also featured the Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback situation and the Buffalo Bills' receivers competition.
From CBS Sports Top 2024 NFL training camp battles to watch:
The competition: Tyron Smith vs. Morgan Moses vs. Olu Fashanu
"Few things are more important for the Jets this year than keeping Aaron Rodgers upright. That depends on the bookends also staying upright. Smith is still a top-level blocker, but his injury history could eventually force a shuffle, with Fashanu a candidate to see starting snaps right out of the gate."
From all indications this offseason, Smith is slotted in as the starting left tackle and Moses will man the starting right tackle spot. Both men are 33 years old, however, and durability could emerge as an issue.
In fact, Moses is recovering from offseason pectoral surgery, but is expected to be ready for training camp practice, which begins on July 24. He was not one of the three Jets' players placed on the Physically Unable to Perform List on Thursday.
Smith missed four regular season games last year, but the blindside protector still earned All-Pro honors. He has totaled only 30 appearances over the last four seasons.
Still, the plan for Fashanu appears to start the rookie out as an understudy. Jets' fourth-year head coach Robert Saleh has also indicated that the Penn Stats product will be taking reps exclusively at left tackle.
"As of now, that's the plan," said Saleh this spring.
The 21-year-old Fashanu was limited during OTAs due to a lingering injury that he suffered at the NFL Combine.
Smith is an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and Moses earned the coaching staff's trust as a starter in 2021 prior to leaving for Baltimore. Those two are the undisputed projected starters, if healthy.
Meanwhile, Fashanu, the No. 11 overall draft pick, will be standing by as an important insurance policy for an overhauled offensive line with high expectations.
