Analyzing Rumors: New York Jets Eye Oregon State Offensive Tackle Taliese Fuaga in 2024 NFL Draft

During the 2023 NFL season, it became evident that the New York Jets’ offensive line was notably deficient. Struggling persistently from week 1 through week 18, the unit showcased few instances of excellence.

Considering this glaring issue, it’s reasonable to assume that the Jets would prioritize selecting an offensive tackle with their first-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Moreover, there are already rumors circulating that the Jets have identified their preferred candidate if he’s available. Rich Cimini, ESPN’s beat reporter for the New York Jets, alluded to this speculation in a recent tweet:

Apple of his eye? #Jets GM Joe Douglas has an affinity for Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga, according to buzz in scouting circles. Has been eyeing him for months, I’m told. Fuaga is attending the Senior Bowl this week.

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) January 30, 2024

Expanding on this, NFL insider Tony Pauline elaborated further:

Reports suggest that the New York Jets have set their sights on Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Cimini’s tweet indicates, “GM Joe Douglas has an affinity for Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga, according to buzz in scouting circles. Has been eyeing him for months, I’m told.”

While I’ve projected Fuaga as a mid-first-round pick in my mock drafts for Sportskeeda, the prospect of selecting him with the 10th pick seems somewhat premature to my liking. To gather additional insights, I reached out to several individuals who attended practice on Thursday.

The consensus was unanimous; if the Jets pass on Fuaga with the 10th pick, he likely won’t remain available for much longer. Scouts present emphasized that only a select few offensive tackles possess Fuaga’s blend of size, power, and athleticism. Additionally, Fuaga, a senior at Oregon State, has exhibited consistent improvement in his game, further solidifying his status as a top-15 prospect.

It’s worth noting that the Jets have a history of showing early interest in certain players during the college season and subsequently targeting them in the draft process, as exemplified by their selection of Zach Wilson. While it’s still early in the draft season, the transparency displayed by the Jets in recent years suggests that this report could carry weight in the coming months.