Olu Fashanu — NFL Mock Draft Roundup 1.0

Teams are split on Fashanu. After a dominant 2022 season, he took a step back in 2023. But the talent is still immense.

There were some bright moments to the otherwise dismal 2023 season. There was the whole Tommy DeVito thing. And the season went out on a high note when the Giants contributed to the Eagles epic collapse with the Week 18 butt-kicking.

We've been mocking offensive tackle to the Giants for the past several months. OT is a major need with the fail of former top-10 pick Evan Neal. Neal scored a dismal 41.8 PFF grade as a rookie in 2022 with a more dismal 39.8 grade in 2023.

The plan is to kick Neal inside to guard, and draft a OT early on in the 2024 Draft - Day 1 being a high likelihood. Well, that's my plan, but I'm not new Giants' OL coach Carmen Bricillo. When I read that Bricillo has a penchant for doing "more with less" (for the Raiders in 2023), I might get the notion that Bricillo is expect to "work with what he has", while the team focuses on other Draft needs.

WRs are bubbling up in other mocks for the RD1 pick, and we'll explore this in upcoming mocks. Jalin Hyatt's performance in the last several games could be telling. Hyatt started 5 of the last 6 games, but only caught 6 balls (on 12 targets) for 43 yards.

Arguably the top offensive tackle prospect in the entire draft is available at No. 10 overall. New York has a big need at the position. Olu Fashanu steps in and fills it immediately.

The Titans land the premier blocker in the class as they enter Year 2 of the Will Levis era.

The Titans are committed to Will Levis at quarterback, so shoring up the offensive line with Olu Fashanu is a smart move.

Though his run blocking is a work in progress, Fashanu already offers pro-level pass protection because of his body control, light feet and ability to sit down versus power. His intelligence and A-plus character are the cherries on top.

Notre Dame's Joe Alt is my top tackle in the class, but this is a pick with Olu Fashanu's ceiling in mind within an improving Arizona roster. A year after taking the raw yet uber-talented Paris Johnson Jr on day one, GM Monti Ossenfort goes a similar route with Fashanu, one of the class' most gifted pound-for-pound athletes with an underappreciated game as a run blocker.

It was tempting to move up as the Tennessee Titans, to grab Alt, but with Olu Fashanu also still available, the end result is nearly the same. Fashanu has a terrific set of tools as a pass protector and can get out in front of the run game just the same.

The growth wasn't quite there from 2022 to 2023 following an injury that ended last season early, but at his best, Fashanu is a rock-solid prospect.

Protecting a 40-year-old Aaron Rodgers has to be the highest priority for GM Joe Douglas if he wants Rodgers to last more than four plays in 2024. Fashanu would've likely ended up in the first-round discussion had he declared last season. There's still room for growth in the run game, but he's already an elite pass-protector and could easily go in the top-5.

Offensive tackles usually get pushed up the draft board, so it wouldn't be a surprise if Olu Fashanu gets picked higher than this. But the New York Jets desperately need offensive tackle help, and Fashanu would be a massive upgrade at left tackle.

General manager Ran Carthon took his quarterback last year in Will Levis, now he needs to set him up for success. Fashanu is a tremendous pass blocker with light feet, long arms and excellent recovery skills.

Levis tends to hold the ball long as most young quarterbacks do. Fashanu enhances the chances of keeping him upright, playing alongside last year's first rounder in Peter Skoronski.

If Fashanu slides to 10th, the Jets will waste no time rolling up to the podium to draft a player who could be 2024's best blocker. Fashanu is a 6-foot-6 monster with the lateral movement to mirror edge rushers and the play strength to keep them at arms length and punch them backward when they cut inside. The first-team All-American didn't allow a single sack either of the last two seasons.

That's exactly what New York needs with a 40-year-old quarterback coming off a major injury. Aaron Rodgers' 2023 ended after four snaps, leaving him to turn to, uh, ulterior avenues of seeking attention. Fashanu is good enough to keep the conversation around the four-time MVP centered on his play rather than, I dunno man, aliens or World Bank or whether or not the earth's core is made of nougat.

The Jets appear set to run it back with Aaron Rodgers, and with a 40-year-old QB coming off a torn Achilles, they will need to improve his protection. Mekhi Becton was attributed 17 sacks against this season, so there's a clear need for an upgrade at tackle. Fashanu has an impressive combination of foot quickness, balance and fluidity as a pass-protector, and he has the potential to eventually be one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL.

A strong candidate to trade down and secure more picks, the Chargers offensive line was woeful in 2023, partially because center Corey Linsley's heart issue will likely push him to retirement. Put Fashanu to RT and make Trey Pipkins your swing tackle.