Olu Fashanu already wowing Jets with big left tackle opportunity awaiting: So freaking athletic

Olu Fashanu isn’t overwhelmed by the thought of replacing one future Hall of Famer and protecting another. The Jets’ rookie first-round draft pick is in line to start for the first time Sunday at the position that he could call home for a long time.Left tackle Tyron Smith is not practicing and is likely to miss the game against the Colts due to a neck injury, so someone needs to cover Aaron Rodgers’ blind side. “It definitely is a big responsibility,” Fashanu said, “but I try not to think of it like that.

We are already in a very high-pressure environment, so I’m not trying to put any more pressure on myself like that.” Fashanu impressed teammates and coaches last week by practicing mostly at right guard — a position he had never played in his football career until a dire depth situation Oct.31 against the Texans — and then jumping in at his natural left tackle when Smith was injured against the Cardinals. “He’s really showing some poise as a young player, which is great to see and certainly a valuable trait for a guy in his position this year,” offensive play caller Todd Downing said.

“Excited about his future, and the strides he’s made both inside and outside.” It seems fitting that the same 31-6 loss to the Cardinals that essentially ended the Jets’ playoff hopes in 2024 might also have marked the turning of a page to the Fashanu chapter, which began with two pressures allowed on 26 pass-blocking snaps.Fashanu’s previous two starts came at right tackle, meaning he has played three spots, all requiring different technical adjustments. General manager Joe Douglas always knew that the offensive line’s sixth man would be called upon at left tackle at some point because the free-agent addition Smith hasn’t played a full season since 2015. “I think that’s his comfort zone,” Downing said, “and I think that when Joe was turning in that [draft] card, that’s probably what he saw was the future there.

Seeing him be...