Jets trade down a spot and then take Penn State offensive tackle

The New York Jets selected Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu with the 11th pick after trading down one spot in the NFL draft Thursday night.

The pick came after the Jets dealt the No. 10 overall selection to the Minnesota Vikings — who took Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy. New York also sent a sixth-rounder (No. 203) to Minnesota, which traded No. 11 overall along with a fourth-rounder (No. 129) and a fifth-rounder (No. 157) to the Jets.

The selection of the 6-foot-6, 312-pound Fashanu gives the Jets depth on their revamped offensive line and added protection for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

After injuries and inconsistency caused New York to constantly shuffle its starting five up front, general manager Joe Douglas focused on upgrading the unit in free agency. The Jets signed eight-time Pro Bowl selection Tyron Smith, acquired offensive tackle Morgan Moses from Baltimore and signed former Ravens guard John Simpson.

They’re all expected to start, along with center Joe Tippmann and right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker. But Smith is 33 and has played only 30 games in the past four seasons because of injuries. Moses is also 33 and was sidelined for three games last season with a torn pectoral muscle that needed surgery.

And both tackles are only one-year deals. So, Fashanu gives the Jets an option in case of injury this season — and a player who could potentially take over next season.