Following the 2023 season, things needed to change in East Rutherford, New Jersey. After being subjected to one of the worst offenses in football going on multiple seasons, the New York Jets are ready to adapt. Since the end of the season, the team has evaluated the best route to maximize an aging & rehabbing Aaron Rodgers. Their answer was as clear as day. The offensive line is the greatest path to success. Joe Douglas made some great additions along the Jets offensive line thus far. Particularly, the youth they’ve added over the past two seasons. From premier picks in the draft such as Olu Fashanu and Joe Tippmann. Undrafted free agents like Xavier Newman-Johnson or UFL standout Kohl Levao. While a majority will be seeing limited action, the youth in this unit can lead to long-term success.
#Jets’ Xavier Newman has earned the fifth-highest overall PFF grade (78.6) among interior offensive linemen with a min. of 50 snaps played this preseason
he’s the only one of those five interior linemen to have played all three interior spots — C, RG, LG — so far this preseason pic.twitter.com/BdKMWwPBNy
— Jack (@jackstollow) August 19, 2024
Youth in Jets Offensive Line Is a Massive Strength
Despite the rapid succession of their defense, the offense has taken a while to develop in the Robert Saleh era. Valuable assets are there with running back Breece Hall and wide receiver Garrett Wilson. Despite this, their debilitating quarterback room and short-sighted playcalling continuously held them back. Fortunately, a healthy Aaron Rodgers can mitigate both those problems when he’s back on the field. However, relying your offense entirely on a 40-year-old who’s recovering from a significant Achilles injury is a weak foundation. The Jets recognized they needed more from their offense and committed to succeeding with Breece Hall. After adding to their offensive line, they seem to be on track.
Fashanu and Tippmann have bright futures
During the last two drafts, Joe Douglas invested draft capital to ensure the Jets long-term success on the offensive line. The first step came with selecting center Joe Tippmann out of the University of Wisconsin last year. NFL scouts & pundits spoke highly of Tippmann as arguably the best center in the draft class. Although eased into the lineup at guard, Tippmann showcased adept run blocking, something Breece Hall surely appreciates. Now at the forefront at center, Joe Tippmann can display the talent that allowed Jonathan Taylor to become a force at running back while in Wisconsin.
The Jets have a future Hall of Famer at left tackle in Tyron Smith. The longtime Cowboy joined the team to block Rodgers’ blindside this season. However, Tyron Smith is also 33 years old. With his injury history, a long-term solution was needed still. Enter Olu Fashanu. A two-year starter at Penn State, the 21-year-old was the best-left tackle in the Big-Ten conference. Fashanu didn’t allow a sack in over 660 snaps the past two seasons. Through the knowledge of both Smith and veteran right tackle Morgan Moses, Fashanu has an opportunity to succeed with the tools provided.
Olu Fashanu was lights out in his 24 snap Week 1 presewason debut. Four of my favorite reps here from pass pro.
Flash/bait technique
Recovery
Defeating the long-arm
Anchoring pic.twitter.com/URD8GxSAIV— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) August 13, 2024
Newman-Johnson and Levao showing undrafted players can make an impact
One of the downsides of draft day is not hearing your name called. An unfortunate annual occurrence in the league. But there are countless examples of players having long-term careers, including becoming starters or in Kurt Warner and John Randle’s case; a Hall of Famer. Luckily, those expectations don’t hang for Xavier Newman-Johnson and Kohl Levao.
Xavier Newman-Johnson went undrafted after starting at left guard for Baylor in 2021. Johnson got to showcase a strong run-blocking ability at Baylor, helping the Bears rank top-ten in rushing yards. This came in handy for the Jets after the injuries they experienced in 2023. Newman-Johnson had the advantage of being familiar with the Jets offensive staff through his rookie season in Tennessee. The continuity of working with O-line coach Keith Carter has been valuable.
#UFL Spotlight:
Former @XFLBrahmas and @uhmanoa Guard number 60 Kohl Levao is having a day as he blocks for the go ahead to help the jets get back into the game.
Levao has got a lot of action in the second half for the Jets and is currently rising up the depth chart. #AFN pic.twitter.com/CTaL8h3Qcs
— Avion Plummer (@Avionp2418) August 10, 2024
In addition, the Jets have also used the UFL to their advantage adding guard Kohl Levao. Levao went undrafted in 2022 after starting at the University of Hawaii. Levao earned an opportunity with the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL and turned into one of the league’s best linemen. Playing for a defensive genius at head coach in Wade Phillips, Levao practiced against a talented pass rush. This has elevated his game, earning a top-ten grade in pass-blocking from PFF. He’s comfortably held his own thus far in preseason games. With the health of Alijah Vera-Tucker a concern, having someone with Levao’s skillset is a massive benefit for New York.
Main Photo: [John Jones] – USA Today Sports
