Jets believe rookie Olu Fashanu is budding star at left tackle

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Robert Saleh was gushing about rookie left tackle Olu Fashanu after Saturday’s practice, but the Jets hope he doesn’t play a single down this year.

“That’d be the goal,” Saleh said.

If it sounds odd that the Jets wouldn’t want their first-round pick to play, there is a very valid reason. The Jets view Fashanu as their long-term left tackle. If he plays there this season, that means Tyron Smith is hurt.

The Jets signed Smith in the offseason to protect Aaron Rodgers’ blindside. They hope they can keep Smith, an eight-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro, on the field much more than he was with the Cowboys during the last several seasons.

Smith, 33, hasn’t played more than 13 games since 2015 and has missed 37 games in the past four seasons. For that reason, the reality is that Fashanu, the No. 11 pick out of Penn State, could see some time this season. If so, the Jets are confident he will more than hold his own.

“He’s very strong in his lower half,” Saleh said. “He is a sponge, an absolute sponge. A technician in every sense of the word. Very smart, very willing. [We] definitely did not miss on that kid.”

The Jets considered taking a receiver in the first round, but after all the injuries they had on the line last year, they made a smart decision by going with the 6-4, 312-pound Fashanu.

He has embraced his role with the team, knowing his time might not come right away. He feels fortunate to have Smith and right tackle Morgan Moses in his ear, constantly giving him advice to make him a better player.

“It’s definitely not the most regular position,” Fashanu said. “But being honest, I don’t really think about it like that. I just think about it as I have a Hall of Fame left tackle in my room and I also have another veteran tackle in my room. And they’re both great guys who are willing to help me develop in any way possible. So I kind of just try to think about it like that.”

Smith and Moses have gone out of their way to work with Fashanu and give him insight on his stance, how he can be more explosive out of his stance and his hand placement in the running and passing games.

“Me and Morgan are trying to catch him up to speed,” Smith said. “He’s doing just that. He’s a great kid. Wants to learn. He’s strong. Trying to just teach him how to use everything he has.”

Moses praised Fashanu’s work ethic and attitude.

“He never gets down on himself when he’s getting coached hard or we’re pulling them to the side and talking to him,” Moses said. “He’s like a sponge, man. He gravitates to everything that comes out of our mouth.”

Fashanu jots down their tips, reads them at night and then tries to apply it on the field. He has a very mature approach to this, believing the entire experience will help him in the long run.

“I feel like a lot of people aren’t blessed to be in that type of position where you have two great tackles in the same room,” he said. “They’re always right behind me, just guiding me in the right path, helping me with any and everything that I need. Just giving me extra advice on how to take my game to the next step.”

Smith is on a maintenance program with the hope of keeping him healthy for the season. The Jets give him veteran rest days at least once a week. Smith had one on Saturday, which allowed Fashanu to work with the starters in the Green-White scrimmage.

Fashanu has been training exclusively at left tackle, but he said he can play right tackle if the Jets need him.

“I’m prepared to play anywhere,” he said.

If all goes well for the Jets, though, that won’t be necessary until next year.

Rodgers looking good

What does Robert Saleh think about Aaron Rodgers’ progress?

“He looks like he never missed any time,” Saleh said of his 40-year-old quarterback, who missed last season because of an Achilles tendon tear suffered after only four snaps. “He looks really good . . . He’s an impressive dude and he’s a Hall of Famer for a reason.’’

In Saturday’s Green-White scrimmage, Rodgers led four series, three ending with a field goal and one with a turnover. C.J. Mosley forced rookie back Isaiah Davis to fumble the second possession and the defense recovered.

The offense drove to the 8-yard line on the first series, but center Joe Tippmann, who has had a number of high snaps this camp, did it again. His snap sailed over Rodgers’ head for a 22-yard loss on second down.

Saleh continues to say he’s not concerned about Tippmann.

Rodgers unofficially finished 19-for-30 for 210 yards. He led the Jets on a field-goal drive in the two-minute drill to end the scrimmage.

No Sauce

Sauce Gardner, who missed Friday’s practice while dealing with a personal matter, returned Saturday and worked on a side field. Saleh said Gardner’s flight back was canceled because of the weather. He arrived Saturday morning.

“I wasn’t going to expose him to injury after traveling,” Saleh said.

Two-minute drill

Cornerback Michael Carter II is expected to miss one to two weeks with an ankle injury suffered on Monday . . . The only touchdown Saturday was a 23-yard pass from Tyrod Taylor to Jason Brownlee, who made a nice over-the-shoulder catch. Brownlee has looked good the last couple of practices.

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.