Troy Fautanu (OL) – Washington / Junior
2023 Stats: 15 games at LT; 2 sacks allowed; 6 penalties
{https://premium.pff.com/ncaa/players/2022/REGPO/troy-fautanu/100521/offense-blocking}
Measurables: 6’4”, 317 Lbs.
RAS: 9.40
Team Fit: Jets
Reasoning:
The Jets biggest need is undoubtedly Offensive Line, and an addition like Fautanu would give them a guaranteed cornerstone for the future. His Day 1 ability, would give them consistency they haven’t had at LT since Mekhi Becton’s rookie season. Troy would fit right in with their Widezone blocking scheme, and would let them continue pulling their OTs like they have shown in the past. His dynamic pass set repertoire would let Aaron Rodgers work his magic with no worry of blindside pressure. Overall, Troy Fautanu would be the perfect fit for the Jets offense and a great OT opposite of AVT.
JC Latham (OT) – Alabama / Junior
2023 Stats: 14 games at RT; 2 sacks allowed; 7 penalties
{https://premium.pff.com/ncaa/players/2023/REGPO/jc-latham/146596/offense-blocking}
Measurables: 6’6”, 342 Lbs.
RAS: Unknown
Team Fit: Saints
Reasoning:
The Saints spent the 19th overall pick on Trevor Penning 2 seasons ago, and it’s safe to say his pass pro issues haven’t resolved. Adding JC Latham would create a strong competition, which is bound to have one of them step up. JC’s improvement from the beginning of his junior season to the end, is more than what Penning has shown in his first 2 seasons. His pass sets cleaned up and became a true weapon for him, ending the initial question of his consistency against speed. Latham is a true freak athlete, who showed out when pulling and reaching wide shades. His power allows him to clear gaps when downblocking, aswell as destroy 2nd level defenders. Overall, JC Latham is the perfect fit for Kubiak’s offense, and has a path to succeed right away at LT and in the future at RT.
Amarius Mims (OT) – Georgia / Junior
2023 Stats: 7 games at RT; 0 sacks allowed; 0 penalties
{https://premium.pff.com/ncaa/players/2023/REGPO/amarius-mims/146719/offense-blocking}
Measurables: 6’8”, 340 Lbs.
RAS: 9.50
Team Fit: Steelers
Reasoning:
Last season, the Steelers drafted Georgia OT, Broderick Jones, with the 14th overall pick. Now this season, they have the opportunity to bring in his former teammate and freak of nature, Amarius Mims. With the addition of OC, Arthur Smith, the Steelers will be looking to run heavy packaged Widezone. While Amarius might not be the cleanest when it comes to Widezone steps, his pure athleticism and mean streak help him win. For only playing 402 pass blocking snaps, he has a very fundamentally sound pass set that will give him a great starting point to build on. Arthur is known for loving and developing nasty run blockers with the likes of Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary, so if he decides to sit Mims to start his career, he will find many ways to include him in 6 OL sets and develop him.
Jackson Powers-Johnson (IOL) – Oregon / Junior
2023 Stats: 13 games at C; 0 sacks allowed; 9 penalties
{https://premium.pff.com/ncaa/players/2023/REGPO/jackson-powers-johnson/146550/offense-blocking}
Measurables: 6’3”, 328 Lbs.
RAS: Unknown
Team Fit: Bills
Reasoning:
With the recent departure of both Mitch Morse and Ryan Bates, the Bills have a hole at Center. While the veteran route is a fine stop-gap decision, they would be passing up on a potentially 10+ year starter in Jackson Powers-Johnson. JPJ is a very big Center, weighing in at 328 Lbs., making him the perfect fit for the Bills’ gap heavy offense. His pure strength lets him downblock IDL with ease, without over pursuing. The combo-blocks of JPJ and O’Cyrus Torrence would dominate any DT, and single-handedly reignite the Bills Inside Zone game. With his big frame comes an amazing anchoring ability that doesn’t let any IDL get penetration. The Bills like pulling their Centers as an extension of the gap game, which will be able to stay, as JPJ is a very underrated puller. Overall, Jackson Powers-Johnson would make the departure of Mitch Morse a good thing, as he would become a corner-stone for their IOL.
Olumuyiwa Fashanu (OT) – Penn State / Junior
2023 Stats: 12 games at LT; 0 sacks allowed; 0 penalties
{https://premium.pff.com/ncaa/players/2023/REGPO/olumuyiwa-fashanu/129777/offense-blocking}
Measurables: 6’6”, 312 Lbs.
RAS: 9.44
Team Fit: Titans
Reasoning:
The Titans have tried to take shortcuts to replace long-time LT, Taylor Lewan, and it hasn’t worked out. With new HC, Brian Callahan, coming in with future HOF OL Coach, Bill Callahan, I expect that to change. There is no one better to make Olu Fashanu the future All-Pro he can be than Bill, and I expect that to happen. Olu is going to be a 21 year old rookie, who has already mastered the basics of pass protection. His inside stab will be his bread and butter at the next level, and will help him defend inside counters right away. Olu also uses his inside hand to torque defenders as the playside OT in Inside Zone. When it comes to his feet in pass protection, he has more than enough athleticism to get to the spot, but he doesn’t trust himself as he turns his hips before his 3rd kick. In Widezone, he uses his 1 of 1 athleticism and great first step to easily cut off backside DEs. After initial contact, he will start lunging to get more push, which results in being shucked. This is caused by his lack of play strength at his young age, but I can almost guarantee that isn’t a liability in the near future. Overall, Olumuyiwa Fashanu has the potential to become a true franchise caliber LT, which is easily attainable with one of the greatest OL coaches in NFL history.
Written by Charlie Prio (@CharliePrio1), 03/09/24
Reviewed and edited: J. Clark, 03/10/24
