Commanders News: Ron Rivera, Jonathan Allen, Sam Howell and Olumuyiwa Fashanu

Commanders draft Olumuyiwa Fashanu in PFF mock

Don't look now, but the Washington Commanders currently hold the No. 4 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. This puts them within touching distance of a top-level quarterback prospect if the new regime decides Sam Howell hasn't done enough, which is a contentious issue right now considering the dire need to fortify the offensive line.

The Commanders could get to No. 3 at the highest, one suspects. Whether Drake Maye or Caleb Williams will be around at that point remains to be seen, but what good is having a franchise-caliber presence under center if the protection is as woeful as it has been this season?

Washington needs to prioritize their offensive line above all else next spring. Something that was recognized by Trevor Sikkema from Pro Football Focus, who had the Commanders picking stud left tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu in his latest mock draft.

"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. 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."

- Trevor Sikkema, PFF

Fashanu is widely regarded as the best blindside protector to emerge from the college ranks in some time. He's been almost flawless throughout his stint at Penn State, taking his game up another notch in 2023 to cement his status as one of the best prospects entering the NFL next year.

This would be a home run hit for the Commanders. One that could finally provide them with a genuine cornerstone left tackle for the first time since trading Trent Williams to the San Francisco 49ers.