Ahead of the 2025 NFL season, Pro Football Focus predicted that Jets LT Olu Fashanu would be the most improved left tackle in the league. In addition, ESPN forecasted TE Mason Taylor to be one of the NFL's highest impact rookies this fall.

Fashanu, the No. 11 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, played in 15 games (7 starts) as a rookie, at both tackle spots (336 snaps at LT, 159 at RT) and right guard (37 snaps).

"The long-term plan was for Fashanu to take over at left tackle during the season – it just happened earlier than anticipated," PFF's Thomas Valentine wrote. "What followed was the natural progression of a rookie playing one of the most difficult positions in football."

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his playtime, the Penn State product showed noticeable improvement and got more comfortable throughout the season.

"Fashanu allowed 10 pressures in the first five games and dropped his pressure rate allowed to 5.5% over final 10 weeks, which was still in the top- 30 for highest rates but was a noticeable improvement," Valentine wrote. "From Week 11 to 16, Fashanu earned a 67.8 grade and often flashed excellent pass-blocking traits."

As for Taylor, the Jets second round pick (No. 42) in April's NFL Draft, ESPN NFL analyst believes he can have a high-level impact on the Jets offense from Day 1.

"The Jets' hole at tight end was one of the most glaring position needs in the league entering the draft," Yates wrote. "Their top returning player, Jeremy Ruckert, has zero touchdowns in three seasons. But Taylor is a pro-ready fix."

In 38 games at LSU, Taylor totaled 129 catches for 1,308 yards and 6 TDs. He finished his college career with a 28-game pass-catching streak and was regarded as ""the most productive tight end in LSU history" by the program.

"Taylor can hold his own as a blocker," Yates said. "And has the ultra-reliable hands necessary to work the middle of the field and provide a safety net for quarterback Justin Fields."