Tag: Olu Fashanu

What Penn State NFL Draft picks remain unsigned at Memorial Day holiday weekend

Chop Robinson is one of three Penn State NFL draft picks still without a signed rookie contract.

The unofficial start of the summer season has arrived with the Memorial Day holiday weekend, and that means NFL training camps will be gearing up before you know it. NFL minicamps and rookie camps have already taken place around the league and have given a few former Penn State players their first tastes of working at the NFL level, but a few players drafted in the 2024 NFL draft remain unsigned over the holiday weekend.

Delays in contract signings have less to do with the overall value of a contract compared to past years thanks to the NFL’s rookie contract scale. All rookie contracts are four-year deals with a sliding scale of overall value based on a player’s draft position. But other details could potentially hold things up, and some rookie contracts are quicker to sign than others. At this point, there is no reason to believe any of the remaining unsigned draft picks from Penn State will be signing their rookie contracts with their respective NFL teams.

The most notable player from Penn State unsigned after being drafted is defensive end [autotag]Chop Robinson[/autotag]. Robinson was a first-round draft pick of the Miami Dolphins with the 21st overall pick. He is the highest of three drafted Penn State players still without a rookie contract signed with his new team.

Offensive lineman [autotag]Caedan Wallace[/autotag] was selected in the third round by the New England Patriots, and the Patriots are looking to move him from his usual right tackle position to the left tackle position. He remains without a contract signed, although he is expected to receive a contract valued at $9.5 million according to previous speculations.

The only other Penn State draft pick without a contract is cornerback [autotag]DaeQuan Hardy[/autotag], who was selected in the sixth round by the Buffalo Bills. It is expected Hardy will sign a contract valued at about $4.1 million.

The top pick from Penn State, offensive tackle [autotag]Olu Fashanu[/autotag], signed his rookie contract with the New York Jets at a value of $20.5 million, all of which was fully guaranteed.

You can see the updated status of each of Penn State’s draft picks and their rookie contract status with our updated rookie contract tracker.

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Saints miss out on Taliese Fuaga, Kool-Aid McKinstry in too-soon 2024 re-draft

It’s too soon for a do-over, but the Saints missed out on both Taliese Fuaga and Kool-Aid McKinstry in this re-draft. That goes to show they made some great picks:

You know the New Orleans Saints made some great picks when they’re missing out on both of their top two selections in a way-too-soon 2024 re-draft. Draft Wire’s Curt Popejoy turned back the clock and redid the first 32 picks of this year’s draft with the benefit of hindsight. And the Saints missed out.

Both Taliese Fuaga (their first-round choice at No. 14) and Kool-Aid McKinstry (their second rounder, at No. 41) were picked by other teams before the Saints had a chance to get them. The New York Jets selected Fuaga instead of Penn State left tackle Olu Fashanu a couple of slots ahead of New Orleans, which Popejoy justified by writing: “Fuaga is a more pro-ready offensive tackle and his play style matches the Jets better than Olu Fashanu.”

As luck would have it, the Saints got Fashanu themselves. Their plan all along was to move Trevor Penning from left to right tackle, so Fashanu could have made more sense than Fuaga if the goal was for him to play on the left side — his college position, whereas Fuaga is a career right tackle now learning to protect his quarterback’s blind side. Still, Fashanu has room to grow as a pro. Of this choice, Popejoy wrote that “The Saints miss out on Fuaga and instead go with Olu Fashanu who needs to return to his 2022 form to be an impact player in the NFL.”

But what about McKinstry? He fell out of the first round in April, but not in Popejoy’s do-over. Popejoy had the San Francisco 49ers selecting McKinstry at No. 31 instead of Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall. He justified that decision by writing “Ricky Pearsall is an interesting prospect but risky, meanwhile cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry is polished and experienced.” So it’s clear the Saints got a steal in the second round, even if they traded a few late-round picks to move up and get McKinstry. We can’t speak for those other teams, but the Saints have to feel pleased with the early returns from their 2024 draft picks.

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Olu Fashanu signs rookie contract with New York Jets

How much is Olu Fashanu’s rookie contract wiht the New York Jets valued?

After being drafted in the first round by the New York Jets, former Penn State offensive lineman [autotag]Olu Fashanu[/autotag] has officially signed his rookie contract in the National Football League. The Jets announced the signing of Fashanu on Monday evening.

According to reports, Fashanu’s rookie contract is good for four years and is valued at $20.51 million. Fashanu also gets a signing bonus of $11.7 million and will have an option for a fifth year on the current contract. Fashanu will be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in 2029.

Fashanu’s contract will pay him an average annual salary of $5.1 million, with a base salary of $3.7 million in 2024 and rising to $6.5 million for the 2027 season. Fashanu’s contract is fully guaranteed.

The Jets used the no. 11 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft to select Fashanu out of Penn State. The former All-Big Ten standout will be expected to be a stalwart on the offensive line for the Jets with the task of protecting Aaron Rodgers in 2024 and be a fixture to protect whoever is the quarterback in the future.

Fashanu will make his NFL debut when the Jets take on the defending NFC champion San Francisco 49ers in a Monday Night Football season opener in Week 1 of the NFL’s 2024 season. The Jets will visit the 49ers to open the season’s Monday night schedule.

You can see the rookie contract status of each of Penn State’s 2024 NFL draft picks with our updated draft pick contract tracker.

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Jets announce signings of nearly entire draft class, including top pick Olu Fashanu

Jets announce signings of nearly entire draft class, including top pick Olu Fashanu

Monday became a busy day for the New York Jets and a memorable one for six of the seven members of the 2024 draft class. The team announced the signings of six draft picks, including first-round pick offensive tackle Olu Fashanu.

The other draft picks to sign Monday were fourth-round pick running back Braelon Allen; all three fifth-round picks quarterback Jordan Travis, running back Isaiah Davis and cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers; and Mr. Irrelevant safety Jaylen Key. The only remaining draft pick yet to sign in third-round wide receiver Malachi Corley, but it shouldn’t take much longer for the Jets to get Corley under contract.

The Jets held their rookie minicamp over a week ago. New York’s 10 practices of OTAs begin May 20 and will run through June 7. Mandatory minicamp is set for June 11-13.

Jets agree to terms with first-round pick Olu Fashanu

Jets agree to terms with first-round pick Olu Fashanu

The Jets have their top draft pick ready to roll after agreeing to terms Monday with 11th overall pick offensive tackle Olu Fashanu, per ESPN’s Field Yates.

The deal is for four years and is worth $20.51 million fully guaranteed. As with all first-round draft pick contracts, the deal also includes a fifth-year option. The Jets would decide on that option before the 2027 season and the option would kick in for the 2028 season.

New York selected Fashanu after moving down one spot, from No. 10 to No. 11, in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings, who moved up for Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Fashanu will serve as the top swing tackle to begin his career behind Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses. Fashanu is the left tackle of the future, at least that is the hope for the Jets. The good news right now is he has his deal taken care of. The rookie wage scale from the 2011 CBA negotiations have helped make rookie signings much easier.

Penn State HC James Franklin says Jets will ‘absolutely love’ Olu Fashanu

Penn State HC James Franklin says Jets will ‘absolutely love’ Olu Fashanu

Anytime you get positive affirmation about a draft pick, especially one taken in the first round, you feel much better about the selection you made. It doesn’t get much better than that prospect’s head coach on college.

Penn State head coach James Franklin recently appeared on “The Official Jets Podcast” and talked about the Jets’ 11th overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, offensive tackle Olu Fashanu. Franklin discussed the character of Fashanu, particularly in terms of him returning to school for the 2023 season and completing his degree.

“To me, he’s the model Penn State football player,” Franklin said on the podcast. “This guy could have left last year as probably a first-round draft choice. He decided to come back to school to be an All-American to compete for a championship. To graduate. He had one of the highest GPAs in one of the best schools in the country, our business school. He just wanted to do everything right.”

Franklin added: “I think he’s one of these guys, whatever he wanted to do he could be successful. He’s just that type of guy, a tremendous leader. You guys are going to love him on the field, there’s no doubt in my mind he’s going to get the job done. You guys are going to spend some time around him, his humility and his intelligence. I think the people around the city are going to fall in love with him.”

Fashanu has drawn comparisons to former Jets’ left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson and was given the number 74, worn by longtime center Nick Mangold. Fashanu will start his career as the swing tackle behind offseason additions Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses and will eventually take over at left tackle, giving the Jets a future at the position for the first time in some time.

Jets were well set on Olu Fashanu in draft, unless Rome Odunze was available

Jets were well set on Olu Fashanu in draft, unless Rome Odunze was available

The New York Jets came out of Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft with who they hope is the their future at the left tackle position in Penn State’s Olu Fashanu. The Jets did a really good job of hiding their interest in Fashanu throughout the entire draft process.

That was reaffirmed through a report by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, who shared some draft nuggets on each team. One for the Jets involved their first-round targets. Fashanu seemed to be the guy almost all the way. The Jets were going to target him with the 10th pick, which ultimately became the 11th pick after the Minnesota Vikings traded up for Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

It was going to be Fashanu…unless Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze was somehow available. Fowler reports the Jets would have jumped at the opportunity to select Odunze if he was on the board but correctly believed that the Chicago Bears would select him at No. 9.

Fowler also reports there was some interest and consideration in Georgia tight end Brock Bowers but it wasn’t a major one. In addition, the Jets had long-term durability concerns on Washington offensive tackle Troy Fautanu.

The growing thought is that the Jets landed a close clone to the great D’Brickashaw Ferguson. New York also have Fashanu No. 74, worn by legendary center Nick Mangold. The Jets ultimately got their guy and now have a bright future at the left tackle spot.

Watch James Franklin race from Olu Fashanu’s to Chop Robinson’s first round NFL draft party

Penn State head coach James Franklin raced from one draft party to another to celebrate with his players being drafted in the first round.

There is something to be said about the relationships James Franklin fosters with his players and their families. Faced with the likely possibility of having two of his players selected in the first round of the NFL draft, Franklin made sure he was there for both players and their special moments despite being an hour apart from each other.

Franklin attended the draft watch party for Fashanu, who was selected by the New York Jets with the no. 11 overall pick in the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday night. After celebrating with his top offensive lineman and relishing the moment with Fashanu’s family, Franklin had to hit the road to make it to another draft watch party for Chop Robinson, roughly an hour away. And he made it just in time for the call to come to Robinson from the Miami Dolphins with the no. 21 overall pick.

And cameras documented the whole experience for Frnaklin as he rushed from one draft party to the next without missing the big moments at either. It’s a pretty cool video package that is worth a few minutes of your time. You can check it out below.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C6PsCiIO6Ry/

Catch all of the latest updates from the NFL draft with USA TODAY’s live draft tracker. For a look at each Penn State draft prospect, be sure to check out our Penn State NFL draft tracker.

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USA TODAY grades Day 2 NFL draft picks of Penn State players

USA TODAY Sports grades the draft selections of Day 2 picks from Penn State.

After watching two players get drafted in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft on Day 1 of the draft, Penn State saw two more of its players be drafted by NFL franchises on Day 2. Offensive tackle Caedan Wallace may have gone a little earlier than some expected, and defensive end Adisa Isaac looks like a bit of a bargain as a late third-round draft pick. But how are those picks being graded?

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA TODAY Sports graded every pick from Day 12 of the NFL draft and was seemingly not too impressed with the decisions by two teams to draft Penn State players.

The New England Patriots selected offensive tackle Caedan Wallace with an early third-round draft pick on Day 2, but Middlehurst-Scwartz was not convinced Wallace would be the type of player that could be reliable in protecting the Patriots’ first-round quarterback, Drake Maye of North Carolina. He gave the Patriots a “C” grade for their pick of Wallace.

“[Patriots general manager] Eliot Wolf’s mission to reconfigure New England’s offense continues, as he turns his attention to the Patriots’ front,” Middlehurst-Scwartz said in his breakdown. “Wallace can handle some kind of role along the line, but serving as Drake Maye’s blindside protector seems like a stretch.”

He was a bit more optimistic about the Baltimore Ravens making the decision to draft Adisa Isaac late in the third round. Middlehurst-Schwartz gave the Ravens a “B+” with their selection of the Penn State edge rusher.

“It’s difficult to find pass rushers with premium traits beyond the first two rounds, but the 6-4, 247-pound Isaac boasts the frame and burst to ascend to a starting role,” Middlehurst-Schwartz said. “Though he needs more of a plan in his rushes, he could be an important part of the Ravens’ reloading effort on defense.”

You can see all of USA TODAY’s draft grades for every pick of the second and third rounds to see how your favorite NFL team did. You can also see all of the first-round draft grades, which were solid for the Jets drafting Olu Fashanu and the Dolphins selecting Chop Robinson.

Catch all of the latest updates from the NFL draft with USA TODAY’s live draft tracker. For a look at each Penn State draft prospect, be sure to check out our Penn State NFL draft tracker.

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How Penn State’s Olu Fashanu fits with the New York Jets

How will Penn State’s Olu Fashanu fit in with the New York Jets?

The NFL draft’s first round did not disappoint, with plenty of surprising picks that will change the course of several NFL team’s futures for years. One of those potential franchise-altering picks was Penn State offensive lineman [autotag]Olu Fashanu[/autotag], who was selected 11th overall by the New York Jets.

The Jets are in a “win-now” mode, which had some questioning this move. Despite that, I think this fit makes a ton of sense for both the short and long-term future of the team. Even with the Jets adding two veteran tackles in Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses, Fashanu could end up making an impact for the Jets as early as this season.

The first thing to consider is the health, or lack thereof, of the current tackles on the Jets roster. As great as Smith has been during his career, he has missed at least three games in every season since 2016 and is now 33. Moses himself missed three games last year and is also 33. Even if there technically isn’t an open starting spot now, one is likely to open up at some point in 2024.

Even if Fashanu doesn’t get an opportunity to play much as a rookie, he projects as a franchise left tackle for a team that hasn’t had one for nearly a decade. While he may not end up being the blindside protector for current starting QB Aaron Rodgers, whoever ends up being his successor will now have a guy who can keep him upright for years to come.

Many draft analysts expected the Jets to take a run-game-oriented tackle if they did indeed go that direction in the draft, as they have done in the past. However, for now, and possibly for another year or two, priority number one is keeping a 40-year-old Aaron Rodgers uhttps://nittanylionswire.usatoday.com/wp-admin/edit.php?post_type=usat_social_embedpright as often as possible.

Despite being the third tackle off the board, Fashanu is in a class of his own as a pass protector. The Jets clearly valued that over the more balanced tackles still on the board, and rightfully so in my opinion. While a pick that would be more likely to help them right away would have made sense as they chase a Super Bowl title, Fashanu was too good to pass up.