Jets' 3 takeaways from preseason win over Panthers

Here are three takeaways from the Jets’ 15-12 preseason win at Carolina on Saturday night.

1. Fashanu picks things up fast.

Rookie left tackle Olu Fashanu got reps at right tackle for the first time in practice this past week. He started and played 29 snaps on the right side against Carolina. Fashanu did well in pass protection and his run blocking was fine, although a holding penalty negated a 15-yard run by fellow rookie Isaiah Davis.

Playing right tackle is “all new” to Fashanu, but the Jets’ first-round pick from Penn State said he feels more comfortable after a full week of doing it. The Jets will make sure he continues to get reps on both sides.

The Jets are very high on Fashanu and see him as their left tackle of the future. For now, they will train him to be their primary swing tackle. They hope he doesn’t play at all, though, because if that’s the case, that would mean left tackle Tyron Smith and right tackle Morgan Moses are healthy. If not, Fashanu will be able to step in at either position. The Jets are very comfortable with that.  

2. McDonald puts tackle  in spin cycle.

Second-year defensive end Will McDonald made a splash play and provided hope as everyone waits for the Haason Reddick holdout situation to be settled. McDonald spun around Carolina backup tackle Ricky Lee and sacked Jack Plummer early in the second quarter.

That’s twice in two preseason games that McDonald spun past a tackle and got to the quarterback. He did it last week against Washington when he brought down Jeff Driskel just after he released the ball. The QB hit was erased when McDonald was flagged for roughing the passer. The official told Jets coach Robert Saleh that McDonald landed with his full body weight on Driskel.

The Jets are confident that McDonald can be a really good pass rusher once he can combine power with his quick get-off and spin moves. Earlier in Saturday’s game, McDonald was pushed around by a tackle. But his growth as a player has been evident during competitive periods and practice and games.  

3. Codrington makes his case.

Undrafted rookie free agent Brandon Codrington gave the Jets’ decision-makers something to think about with his special teams performance at Carolina. He had two long returns that set up scoring drives.

The 5-9, 185-pound Codrington broke free for a 63-yard kickoff return to open the second half and ran back a punt 31 yards. He thought he was going to return both for touchdowns. Both possessions ended with field goals by Austin Seibert.

Saleh called Codrington “the most productive [player]” for both teams. Codrington, out of North Carolina Central, is a long shot to make the Jets’ 53-man roster. Xavier Gipson is expected to be the Jets’ main returner.

Rookie Malachi Corley also could be one of the two returners back for kickoffs. If Codrington has a good week and another strong showing in Saturday’s preseason finale against the Giants, he could at least earn a spot on the Jets’ practice team.

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.