Olu Fashanu Discusses Meeting with Raiders
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The Las Vegas Raiders are deep into finding their next young stars in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The NFL Scouting Combine wrapped up last weekend, and the Raiders came away from Indianapolis with a better understanding of players they are interested in, on and off the field.
The Raiders are looking to improve at any position to return to the postseason in 2024. Las Vegas built momentum upon a robust cultural turnover once Coach Antonio Pierce took over.
Now that Pierce is the full-time head coach, the Raiders will look for players who fit his culture. They have free agents at important positions, including on the offensive line.
Penn State tackle Olu Fashanu could help alleviate the potential loss of a starter on the offensive line. Fashanu said he has met with the Raiders and spoke about how that meeting went during his media availability.
“It was a great meeting,” Fashanu said. “The Raiders, that meeting, everyone was super chill, super cool, it was a great meeting.”
Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu could fill an immediate need for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Fashanu was a Consensus All-American, the Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year, and a First-Team All-Big Ten selection in 2023 and might be the best offensive tackle in the draft.
The 6-foot-6, 320-pound Fashanu made the surprise decision to return to Penn State after the 2022 season when he was projected to be a top-10 pick in the NFL Draft.
Fashanu had another excellent season with the Nittany Lions and is still in contention to be selected in the top 10.
According to Pro Football Focus, in his junior season Fashanu allowed only 10 total pressures without a quarterback hit or a sack. He earned the fourth-highest pass-blocking grade in the country.
Fashanu was a teammate at Gonzaga College High School with quarterback Caleb Williams of USC, who is expected to be the No. 1 overall selection in this year’s draft.
Not only is Fashanu a great athlete at the tackle position, he possesses the functional size to be an elite pass blocker at the next level. That athleticism should also allow him to hold up against the run.
The Raiders might be in the market for an offensive tackle this offseason, and Fashanu could fill that role immediately.
To read our full scouting report on Fashanu, click here.
The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently have the No. 13 overall pick.
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