Olu Fashanu — NFL Mock Draft Roundup 2.0

Neither Aidan O'Connell nor Gardner Minshew seems like the long-term answer in Vegas, but once the Raiders do find one, they'll already have a franchise left tackle in Olu Fashanu.

The health status on Ryan Ramczyk doesn't sound great, and 2022 first-rounder Trevor Penning hasn't panned out yet, so the Saints likely need a starting-caliber talent to play tackle. I'm a little worried about Fashanu's run blocking, but he's a facile pass protector who is just starting to reach his athletic peak.

Braxton Jones has been solid at left tackle since the team drafted him in the fifth round in 2022, but the Bears have the chance to make a significant upgrade at that spot by drafting Fashanu—coincidentally, a former high school teammate of Jones—here. The former Penn State standout has an all-around skill set to dominate defensive linemen, and gives the team a long-term answer on Caleb Williams's blindside.

Ryan Ramczyk's 2024 season is in question and 2022 first-round pick Trevor Penning has not lived up to his promise. Tackle is a massive need, and the Saints have always taken pride in having a strong offensive line.

In this mock, Olu Fashanu falls down this far, which might be unlikely since he's so talented. The Saints have to fix their line, and he would go a long way towards doing that.

After a trade down, the Patriots can get a building block left tackle in Fashanu. In 21 games as a starter at left tackle, he allowed one sack and eight pressures. The Patriots' offensive line allowed 47 sacks last season (ninth-most in the league) and lost starter Trent Brown in free agency. Plugging in Fashanu at left tackle and moving Mike Onwenu to right tackle suddenly makes things look pretty good here. This is a talented tackle class, but it's light on the left side. Trading out of No. 3 would mean the Patriots miss out on the top-end quarterbacks in this class, but adding a near-lock at left tackle and exploring alternate QB options is a good team-building play.

The Jets signed left tackle Tyron Smith to a one-year deal, but given Smith's age/durability concerns, Fashanu would be a very necessary insurance policy and future building block. At 6-6 and 312 pounds, Fashanu has excellent feet and movement skills for his frame. He played 1,306 snaps during his Penn State career and gave up only one sack. He has perennial All-Pro potential if his technique continues to develop, giving the Jets a shutdown left tackle for years to come. (New York also traded for Morgan Moses, but he's a fit on the right side and is a 2025 free agent.)

Based on potential, Fashanu is worthy of being the second tackle selected. "(Fashanu) is a true left tackle," said one scout. "The rest (other than Joe Alt) are top-tier right tackles or fine at left tackle, but not elite." Caleb Williams' high school teammate might also need the most developmental time among the projected first-rounders. Only because the draft is loaded at tackle does Fashanu remain on the board here, and the Steelers pounce to acquire a bookend tackle with 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones.