Steelers Projected to Land Local College Product With ‘Loads of Potential’
Penn State left tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu is generally considered a top 15 pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Bleacher Report’s consensus rankings rated him the No. 6 overall prospect in the entire class. Additionally, a lot of mock drafts have Fashanu off the board in the top 10.
But there could be a scenario where he lands with the Pittsburgh Steelers. At least that’s what The Athletic’s Ben Standig suggested on March 25.
In his latest mock draft, Standig slotted Fashanu to the Steelers at No. 20 overall in the first round.
“Only because the draft is loaded at tackle does Fashanu remain on the board here, and the Steelers pounce to acquire a bookend tackle with 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones,” wrote Standig.
During his junior and senior seasons at Penn State, Fashanu started 20 games at left tackle. In 2023, he earned All-Big Ten honors from the coaches and media. He also received the Rimington-Pace Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year award.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein referred to Fashanu as “a toolsy two-year starter with loads of potential.”
How Olumuyiwa Fashanu Could Fit With the Steelers
Fashanu isn’t falling to No. 20 in very many mock drafts. So, the likelihood the Steelers land him appears slim.
But if he’s available, it’s easy to see how he could fit with the Steelers.
Zierlein argued that Fashanu needs to improve his footwork in pass protection but added that the Penn State tackle already plays “with good focus and drive” in run blocking.
Under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, the Steelers are expected to be a run-first team. Therefore, Fashanu could start immediately at left tackle and be a force for Pittsburgh’s run game.
2023 first-rounder offensive tackle Broderick Jones started the second half of the season at right tackle for Pittsburgh. He could improve in pass protection as well, but he’s showed great promise as a run blocker.
Drafting Fashanu would allow Jones to remain focused on right tackle. It could also give the Steelers the bookends to their offensive line for the foreseeable future.
“Overall, the work ethic, traits and tape make it easier to project Fashanu’s continued improvement into a very good left tackle,” wrote Zierlein.
