Femi Oladejo Brings Titans Potential on the Edge

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In Oluwafemi Oladejo, the Titans add a raw edge with potential who needs to prove he can be the sort of consistent pass rusher the team needs.

Oladejo (6-foot, 261 pounds) was the choice at No. 52 in the second round after the Titans dealt No. 35 to Seattle for 52 and No. 82 in the third round. Tennessee wanted to get back into the third. 

Oluwafemi Oladejo
Femi Oladejo/ UCLA

He was an insider backer at Cal and in his first year after transferring to UCLA. He had 4.5 sacks in his final collegiate season.

"The move to edge was one that was one for the team, I believe my potential is still very high," he said. "I believe I have a lot left to achieve."

Said Mike Borgonzi: "Femi is a tough, physical kid who really just started playing outside backer the fourth game of the season this year. So he's developing as a pass rusher, I think he has a lot of upside there. But I'll tell you what, he can set the edge, he's physical, he's violent and the kid loves football too."

The Titans were struck by his strength and 34-inch arms at the Senior Bowl and think with some coaching from Dennard Wilson and Ben Bloom, he will be a very good pass rusher.

Oladejo said Nashville is a great city and showed financial smarts by pointing out with a big smile that Tennessee has no state tax. 

He intercepted Cam Ward in his junior year in a 25-17 UCLA win over Washington State on Oct. 7, 2023 at the Rose Bowl.

I'm intrigued by Oladejo's upside, but wonder if the Titans couldn't have found a rusher who will have a more immediate influence on the QB.

Blake Beddingfield on Oladejo: Good size, strength and length. Plays hard but is raw as a rusher having been an ILB at Cal. One year of average production at UCLA but has traits and an upside to his game. Needs to be developed but has strength and athletic traits to have success. I like his upside because of his instincts and effort in play to go along with his traits.

James Foster on Oladejo:
 
Strengths
 
 • Miscast as an off-ball LB for his entire career & just scratching the surface at EDGE
 • Short with a sturdy build & long arms
 • Effective cross-chop & functional bend to glide around the outside shoulder
 • Occasionally used an inside spin counter
 • Length, explosiveness, & hand pop give him potential as a power rusher
 • Pursuit range & close-out burst to track down the ball from the backside
 • Destructive block shedder with heavy hands & violent upper-body torque
 • Stonewalls pullers & compresses the gap
 • Explosiveness to knife into gaps & keep play-side shoulder free vs. zone runs
 • Versatility to drop into coverage & make plays in the flat
 
Weaknesses
 
 • Only 1 season of experience as an edge rusher
 • Must expand pass rushing arsenal. Cross-chop is his only speed move right now
 • Hands are poorly timed & often inaccurate
 • Lacks counter plan to sustain rush when he gets tied up
 • Stands up during the drive phase of his bull rush & nullifies his power output
 • Indecisive & pedestrian inside counter
 • Inconsistent anchor when blockers get under his pads