Washington Commanders Add Familiar Face in ESPN's Latest Mock Draft
With four games left to play, Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera billed his team's finishing slate as a test of its mental toughness.
It's a notion of the ease with which one can look ahead to season's end - and former Commanders defensive end Montez Sweats recently said the locker room already is.
Nonetheless, Rivera's tasked with keeping Washington focused ... all the while battling outside noise of his job security and the team's impending offseason.
There's optimism about what's to come, with the Commanders currently holding the No. 5 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft - but will they choose to replace quarterback Sam Howell or give him help?
That decision may be for a new regime - but as things stand, Washington's expected to lean the latter, with ESPN's latest mock draft having the franchise selecting Penn State left tackle Olu Fashanu.
"First-year starting quarterback Sam Howell has likely shown enough bright spots for the Commanders to build around him for at least one more season," ESPN writes. "But they can't keep this current offensive line intact with Howell on track to set the single-season sacks taken record (58 in 13 games).
"Fashanu is a smooth-moving left tackle who has allowed one sack all season at Penn State. The 20-year-old junior is still developing, but he has Laremy Tunsil-like potential."
Penn State left tackle Olu Fashanu (74) gets set before a play against West Virginia at Beaver Stadium September 2, 2023, in State College.
Credit: © Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK
Fashanu has long been a Pro Football Focus standout; he's never graded below 84 overall as a pass protector in his four-year tenure at Penn State, including an 88.4 grade this year.
The 6-6, 320-pound Fashanu also took strides as a run blocker, posting a career-best 70.5 run blocking grade in 2023.
Fashanu was recently named the Rimington-Pace Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors. He was also tabbed as an AP All-American.
The 21-year-old Fashanu is a native of Waldorf, Maryland; he went to Gonzaga College High School, located some 20 minutes away from FedEx Field.
There's the local appeal mixed into his on-field resume - and he also boasts the title of team captain and three-time academic All-Big Ten honoree, giving him a standout off-field track record, too.
While four games remain, the Commanders (4-9) must have an eye towards their future - and Fashanu appears to be a safe selection with the upside to reach great heights.
