Patriots draft profile: Olu Fashanu could be top trade-down target at left tackle

New England met with Fashanu at the Combine.

The New England Patriots hunt to upgrade their offensive tackle position continues as the top of the left tackle depth chart currently consists of Chukwuma Okorafor, Calvin Anderson and Conor McDermott.

New England investing in the position during this year’s draft therefore makes plenty of sense and Penn State’s Olu Fashanu could provide a talented long-term solution. With his projected draft range, however, a scenario with the Patriots selecting Fashanu likely begins with the team trading down from No. 3 overall.

If that’s the path they go down, let’s take a closer look at Fashanu to see what he would bring to the table.

Hard facts

Name: Olu Fashanu

Position: Offensive tackle

School: University of Penn State

Opening day age: 21 (12/09/2002)

Measurements: 6’6”, 312 pounds, 8 1/2” hand size, 34” arm length, 82 5/8” wingspan, 9.49 Relative Athletic Score

Experience

Career statistics: 29 games (11 starts) | 1,349 offensive snaps | 17 pressures allowed (0 sacks, 1 hit, 16 hurries), 5 penalties

Accolades: Consensus All-American (2023), Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year (2023), First Team All-Big Ten (2023), Team captain (2023), Team MVP (2023), Second Team All-American (2022), Second Team All-Big Ten (2022)

Growing up a basketball player, Fashanu began playing football his freshman year of high school where he eventually blocked Caleb Williams’ blindside for three seasons. As a three-star recruit, Fashanu committed to the University of Penn State where he started just one game in his first two seasons after redshirting in 2020.

Earning the starting left tackle job in 2022, Fashanu had a breakout season for the Nittany Lions. He allowed zero sacks in 281 pass blocking snaps and cemented himself as a first-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. Instead of declaring for the draft, Fashanu returned to Penn State in 2023 to earn his degree — as he earned All-Big Ten honors three straight years and was a finalist for the 2023 William V. Campbell Trophy.

On the field, Fashanu, who was elected a team captain, remained dominate on the left side starting all 12 games and not allowing a sack all-season for the second straight year. After graduating with his degree in December, he opted out of Penn State’s bowl game and entered the draft.

Draft profile

Expected round: 1 | Consensus big board: No. 14 | Patriots meeting: Scouting Combine

Strengths: Fashanu has a good size (6’6”, 312) and length (34” arms) at the tackle position to pair with an impressive lower body/footwork as a former basketball player. He uses his physical tools well in pass protection to get out of his stance and recover when needed. Throughout his time at Penn State, Fashanu allowed zero sacks in 733 pass blocking snaps.

As a pass blocker, Fashanu proved to have good awareness for opposing defensive line games. His power then additionally shows up in the run game as he creates plenty of movement up front and at the second level

Weaknesses: Despite not allowing a sack throughout his collegiate career, Fashanu’s worst game of the season came against Ohio State — where he allowed six-of-his-10 pressures. He struggled at times against Buckeyes’ top rusher J.T. Tuimoloau, who may be a first-round selection in next year’s draft, as counter moves will provide him challenges.

While he is powerful in the run game, Fashanu could improve most in this area and play with more balance. His lack of hand size (8 1/2”) is also an outlier at the position as Isaiah Wynn was the only other first-round tackle prospect in recent years with similar small measurements.

Patriots preview

What would be his role? While Fashanu still has some work to do to round out his game, he will enter the league with some high-end traits. He could likely start from the jump, but New England may have the choice to ease him into things with their confidence in Chuks Okorafor at the left tackle spot.

What is his growth potential? With just two years of collegiate playing experience under his belt at 21 years old, Fashanu’s game has parts teams can still tap into — which is exciting based off his already high level of play. He projects as a long-term starting left tackle with Pro Bowl potential.

Does he have positional versatility? 100 percent of Fashanu’s college snaps came at the left tackle spot. He should remain there at the next level for as long as he can handle it.

Why the Patriots? The Patriots have been searching for a long-term answer at the left tackle spot for several years and Fashanu is one of the best prospects in this class. Adding someone with his high-end traits and potential should remove the position from their list of ‘needs’ for the immediate future.

Why not the Patriots? As a fringe top-10 selection, Fashanu’s draft range may simply be out of reach for the Patriots. He mainly projects on their board in a potential trade down scenario from No. 3 overall.

One-sentence verdict: Fashanu’s youth and high-end traits project him as a long-term starting left tackle in the NFL.

What do you think about Olu Fashanu as a potential Patriots target? A viable first-round option? Or ultimately not a realistic target? Please head down to the comment section to share your thoughts.