Outside of a handful of elite quarterbacks, no NFL player's job is safe.
Although a team isn't likely to give up on a new addition one game into the season, it's not irrational to ask if the New York Jets have started thinking about a potential change at the starting right tackle spot. The presence of No. 11 overall draft pick Olu Fashanu adds significant relevancy to the question.
Grizzled veteran Morgan Moses played all 51 snaps at right tackle during the Jets' season-opening setback on Monday night, but his performance left something to be desired. Pro Football Focus tabbed Moses with a 42.2 grade, the lowest of all Jets' offensive players.
While the Jets' front five struggled as a whole in the run game, Moses experienced the most difficultly in pass protection. PFF charged the 33-year-old bookend with three pressures and one quarterback hit allowed. His 22.4 pass-blocking grade was a game low.
Meanwhile, Fashanu has become known for his stellar ability to win in pass-pro situations. According to Penn State analytics, the rookie did not permit a single sack in 21 collegiate starts.
With 145 career starts under his belt, one poor outing isn't nearly enough to unseat a proven veteran like Moses but it raises questions.
First, why were the Baltimore Ravens willing to trade Moses away for next time nothing? The deal included a draft picks swap that essentially resulted in the Ravens improving their Round 4 pick by 22 slots.
Secondly, Moses played 17 games for the Jets in 2021, but why did general manager Joe Douglas and Co. let him walk back then?
Finally, the Jets initially kept Fashanu exclusively at left tackle until later in training camp when they began to give him reps on the right side. Was potentially replacing Moses down the line on their mind when they made that choice to expand Fashanu's responsibilities?
It likely won't happen for a while, but don't be surprised if Fashanu is starter by season's end.
More New York Jets News:
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• Two players important to a Jets' victory vs. Titans in Week 2
• Two Jets' starting cornerbacks limited due to injury during short week
• Jets sign former seven-year starter to Practice Squad as OL insurance
• Jets' two key offseason WR additions complete non-factors in season opener
