Aaron Rodgers reacts to Jets drafting Olu Fashanu

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers praised his club for moving down a spot in the 2024 NFL Draft order and then grabbing Penn State Nittany Lions offensive tackle Olu Fashanu via the 11th pick. 

"He didn’t give up a sack, I don’t think, in his entire college career," Rodgers said about Fashanu during an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show Draft Spectacular," as shared by Jared Schwartz of the New York Post. "Which is saying a lot, because you’re going against great schools in the Big Ten like Wisconsin, and every now and then Iowa. … I love our skill group. I knew we really liked all three of the receivers [Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze], so I was watching film on those guys. I was watching film on the lineman." 

The Jets made multiple moves to bolster their offensive line earlier in the offseason, so many linked the club ahead of the draft with Georgia Bulldogs star tight end Brock Bowers. 

Others suggested that the Jets could and should trade down from pick No. 10 before they grabbed a top-rated offensive lineman, as team owner Woody Johnson said earlier this month that the franchise must keep Rodgers "on his feet" to achieve its goals for at least the 2024 campaign. 

Rodgers, of course, suffered a torn Achilles four offensive snaps into the 2023 regular-season opener. 

"Olu is a mauler," Rodgers continued. "He had an incredible career at Penn State. He’s not gonna need to jump in right away, at tackle, for sure. We’ll see if we work him in at guard. I think he’s gonna have a long career in the league."

Rodgers made a remarkably quick recovery from his setback and previously teased he could've played in late December had the Jets been a postseason contender at that time. 

"I’m feeling good," Rodgers revealed on Thursday night. "...The running’s been really good, feeling good with my linear speed and increasing the miles per hour. Strength is good. Can get under a squat rack and do all the things I need to do. It’s just the confidence. I think the last part is just to be confident enough to do all those things. It just comes from reps. The Achilles has absolutely zero pain or issues."

Rodgers seems on track to be good to go for Week 1 this coming September. As of Friday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had both the Jets and Miami Dolphins at +200 odds to claim the AFC East division title for the 2024 season. The Buffalo Bills topped the list at +160 odds.