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Penn State offensive lineman Olu Fashanu. Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

NFL Draft countdown: Focus on Saints' first-round pick at No. 14

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated 4/11/24

The 2024 NFL Draft is rapidly approaching. Last year, Pittsburgh took RT Broderick Jones with the 14th pick. News Orleans picks 14th this year and many experts have them targeting the same offensive lineman.

Some believe Olu Fashanu would have been a top-10 pick in 2023. Instead, he earned Big Ten offensive lineman of the year honors after playing 324 snaps without giving up a sack last season.

Field Yates (ESPN)

At 6-foot-6 and 319 pounds, Yates believes Fashanu has the size and skill needed to be an immediate starter for the Saints.

“Fashanu is a plug-and-play starter at left tackle, with excellent size and very good feet for the position. He has the talent to anchor this line for quite some time, and adding Fashanu would allow the Saints to try (Trevor) Penning at another spot.”

With praise of Fashanu, Yates notes the struggles of Penning, the team’s current left tackle and first-round selection in 2022, something other analysts also mention when discussing Fashanu.

Penn State OT Olu Fashanu played his most complete game of the season vs. Michigan. Outstanding day as a run blocker. pic.twitter.com/n7uNm0pwVk
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) November 13, 2023

Mel Kiper Jr. (ESPN)

Kiper seems to have Fashanu sitting atop the Saints' depth chart already.

“This is a pairing I've projected for the past two months, as the Saints should be concerned with 2022 first-rounder Trevor Penning's play over his first two seasons. Penning hasn't proved to be an NFL-level left tackle. Fashanu, on the other hand, has high-end traits in a 6-6 frame. He allowed just one sack in almost 700 pass-blocking plays in his college career.”

Kiper had LSU receiver Brian Thomas Jr. landing with New Orleans in his first mock draft but quickly settled on Fashanu in the offseason. He rates Fashanu as the third-best tackle on his big board behind Notre Dame’s Joe Alt and Alabama’s JC Latham.

Arjun Menon (Pro Football Focus)

In addition to Penning’s struggles at left tackle, right tackle Ryan Ramczyk is now dealing with a chronic knee injury. Menon believes Fashanu would upgrade either position.

“With the recent news that Ryan Ramczyk might not be healthy to start the season, the Saints have to address that position early in the draft. Fashanu is the best tackle left on the board and can slot in to replace either player, depending on Ramczyk’s health.”

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Ramczyk’s recovery has been slower than expected and the Saints are bracing for life without him in 2024 and possibly more. One way or another, the team needs another tackle and Fashanu is likely their best option at No. 14.

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