Why Troy Fautanu makes a lot of sense for the Jets

Edition #603

Good morning ☕

The draft continues to creep closer and closer and it's time we started looking at some of these prospects. The Jets missed out on a few players yesterday, but I don’t think we should be losing sleep on any of them. It will be interesting to see the direction the Jets go now that Clowney is going back home to Carolina.

You may have noticed I’ve moved back to 10 am sends. Based on the feedback received I’m going to aim to send these as early as I can, but there may be occasions when I need to push it to midday based on needing more time to research or complete it.

Jadeveon Clowney announced he was signing with the Carolina Panthers. According to reports he was looking for a multi-year deal and while the visit with the Jets went well…they were unwilling to hit the number Carolina offered. The deal he got was for two years and $20 million, which could reach $24 million with incentives. I'm not too concerned the Jets didn't go to that number, I'm pretty pleased they didn't.

What do the Jets do now? Could Calais Campbell be an option? He still had an elite year last year with the Falcons and he’s certainly that run-defender that the Jets are searching for.

Sticking with the theme of today's newsletter. The Jets are meeting with Troy Fautanu before working him out at his Pro Day. This is usually a good sign that you're keen for the team to take a certain prospect.

Earlier this week we focused on former Welsh rugby union star Louis Reese-Zammit who’s switched one oval ball for another. I was keen to sign him based on his speed and elusivity, and when he took an official visit to the Jets I thought it was on the cards. Unfortunately, the Chiefs have beaten us to the punch, and Reese Lightning is taking his talents to Kansas City. It’s believed they’ll use him as an RB/WR.

Great note here by Cimini. Bill Hampton, Sr., who served as the Jets equipment manager from 1964 to 2002, will be honoured posthumously by the Pro Football Hall of Fame as one of 15 recipients of the "Awards of Excellence," it was announced today. The program was established in 2022 to recognize significant contributors to football. Hampton's career spanned 723 games; he missed only one.

South Dakota offensive guard Mason McCormick is drawing significant interest from the Jets according to Tony Pauline. He had 33 7/8 arms, put up 32 reps on the bench press, and apparently moved well in the drills as well. A really positive workout for McCormick who is coming off a year where he allowed 0 sacks and 3 pressures on 376 pass-blocking snaps, which is quite ridiculous.

It’s been said a number of times but I’m going to say it again, this is the strongest offensive tackle class in some time. Not only does it have elite top-level talent, it has incredible depth. If you need offensive tackles and wide receivers, the 2024 draft is for you. It’s part of the reason I want the Jets to move down and recoup some more draft picks through the 2nd and 3rd rounds. It’s the ideal spot to pick up some receivers if you go offensive tackle early.

The more I think about it, the more I come to the same conclusion…Troy Fautanu is the perfect option for the Jets. It may be that you need to take him at #10 considering his climb, but there is a very good chance that you could move down a few spots, pick up a 3rd round pick and still get Fautanu, and that is a home run situation if you ask me.