​Two years can dramatically reshape the way a NFL draft class is perceived. Franchise quarterbacks rise, cannot-miss prospects disappoint, and players who once flew under the radar emerge as stars. That is exactly what happened when CBS Sports reimagined the 2024 NFL Draft, showing several of the first 10 selections landing with teams different from those they originally joined. There was a quarterback reshuffle at the top, with the Chicago Bears passing on Caleb Williams for Drake Maye. Williams lands with the Washington Commanders at No. 2, while the New England Patriots receive a solid consolation prize with Jayden Daniels at number three. The Jets, meanwhile, find themselves in a simpler position after the exercise.
Several teams altered their courses in hindsight, but New York stayed true to the decision they made at No. 11 overall. CBS Sports left Olu Fashanu exactly where the Jets drafted him, providing another vote of confidence in what has quickly become one of the franchise’s most important building blocks. That outcome isn’t surprising. When the Jets selected the former Penn State standout, they weren’t merely filling an immediate gap; they were investing in one of football’s premier positions with the expectation that Fashanu would anchor the offensive line for years to come. So far, that vision is materializing.
Offensive tackles rarely draw the same spotlight as quarterbacks, wide receivers, or pass rushers, yet their value becomes clear each Sunday. Guarding the quarterback and establishing the running game starts on the edges, and the Jets believe Fashanu can be a cornerstone at one of those spots for the foreseeable future. Re-drafts often serve as reminders of mistakes teams wish they could undo, but they also highlight franchises that got it right from the start. The Jets still have questions to answer across the roster as they head toward the 2026 season, but left tackle does not appear to be among them. If anything, CBS Sports’ exercise reinforces what New York has believed since draft night in 2024: selecting Fashanu was a decision the franchise wouldn’t change, even with two years of hindsight.
This concept of a redo underscoring durable choices and long-term value is precisely what makes a draft more than a snapshot. It shows how one decision can anchor a franchise for years, and how another path, even with hindsight, might have altered the trajectory in meaningful ways. New York’s confidence in Fashanu, born in the moment of the pick, remains justified by the growth and stability he has offered on the offensive line. The exercise by CBS Sports serves not only as a what-if but as a nod to the foresight behind the Jets’ 2024 selection.
This piece originally appeared on Jets Wire.