Washington Commanders Mock Draft: Penn State OL Olu Fashanu Emerging as Consensus First Round Pick
The Washington Commanders continue to spiral, losing their final four games entering the bye week and sitting at 4-9 with four contests left to play.
Prior to the losing skid, Washington appeared firmly in the mix for playoff contention, but now finds itself reeling after back-to-back defeats by at least 30 points.
As such, eyes are beginning to shift towards the Commanders' future, which first needs a decision on coach Ron Rivera and general manager Martin Mayhew.
But regardless of who's calling shots, they appear well-equipped to have a high draft pick, as Washington currently holds the No. 4 overall selection and will play teams in the postseason race in all but one of its closing games.
Where will the Commanders turn with their top-five pick?
Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu is beginning to emerge as the best bet, with several recent mock drafts penciling in the Waldorf, Maryland, native at No. 4 overall.
The Athletic recently tabbed Fashanu to the Commanders, and Pro Football Focus did the same in its latest prediction - though noted that Washington may prefer quarterbacks Caleb Williams and Drake Maye if presented with the opportunity.
"The Commanders could certainly entertain a quarterback with a top-10 pick, but with Williams and Maye off the board, they grab an ace in the trenches instead," PFF writes. "Fashanu has rare movement skills in pass protection for a 6-foot-6, 320-pounder.
"He has never recorded a single-season pass-blocking grade below 84.0, posting an 88.4 mark in that category this season to pair with a career-best 70.5 run-blocking grade."
Olu Fashanu lifts a teammate after a touchdown in Penn State's game against Auburn.
John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Williams, Maye and Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. went off the board in the first three picks, a trend that's quickly becoming more common.
But in CBS Sports' most recent mock draft, Washington had the chance to select Williams ... but passed on him in favor of Fashanu.
"The Commanders would have a major decision to make here: go Caleb Williams, pick a stellar offensive tackle prospect, or trade down," CBS Sports writes. "In this mock, they go with the brick-wall blocker from Penn State who boasts All-Pro upside."
USA Today adds the idea of bringing Williams, a native of Washington, D.C., back home was always going to be a stretch, with the Commanders being able to win enough games to push themselves out of contention for the top pick.
However, Fashanu presents a similar background story, as he and Williams were high school teammates, and USA Today feels the 20-year-old Penn State product can be a fine alternative as the "most promising pass protector" in the 2024 draft class.
"While there will be an undeniable learning curve for a blindside protector who will only be 21 as a rookie, the 6-6, 317-pound blocker should help Washington better safeguard – and evaluate – Sam Howell, who ranks second in passing yards (3,466) but leads the NFL with 14 interceptions and 58 sacks," USA Today writes.
Other outlets, such as SB Nation, Pro Football Network and Tankathon, also have the Commanders selecting Fashanu, who was named the Rimington-Pace Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year after allowing zero sacks this season.
Named a team captain in the spring, Fashanu brings value on and off the field - and while there's still much to decipher with the draft over four months away, appears to be an early home-run fit in Washington.
