Unpacking Future Packers: No. 26, UCLA DE Oluwafemi Oladejo

USA Today

01-04-2025

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 26, UCLA DE Oluwafemi Oladejo
The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2025 NFL draft.
During Jeff Hafley's first season as defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, the pass rush did disappearing acts in big games far too often.
The Packers dismissed defensive line coach Jason Rebrovich and replaced him with DeMarcus Covington, who spent this past season as the defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots.
Brian Gutekunst made it crystal clear during the NFL Scouting Combine that they need the defensive line to create more chaos if they are going to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
"We need to affect the quarterback more in our front four, with just four players," Gutekunst said. "I'm excited about the guys we have in the room, we'll see if we add to it, but that's gotta get better if we're going to accomplish our goals we want to accomplish in this season."
Gutekunst doubled down on his faith in the players they have on the roster when he spoke to the media on Monday to kick off the NFL Owner's Meetings.
"I think we can do everything we need to do with the players we have on our roster right now," Gutekunst said. "I think there's a significant amount of improvement for those guys, not only in Year 2 of a scheme, but just individually as well. We've invested in that quite a bit already, and I'm excited to see the growth that those guys will have. If the draft happens to bring us some more ammunition in that category, great. But it's not something we have to go chase."
More pass rush ammunition during the 2025 NFL Draft could come in the form of one Oluwafemi "Femi" Oladejo. The UCLA Bruin defensive end checks in at No. 26 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
A three-star recruit, Oladejo started his collegiate career at California and as an off-ball linebacker. During his two seasons as a Golden Bear, Oladejo recorded 129 tackles, eight tackles for loss, one sack and one interception. The California native transferred to UCLA for the 2023 season and recorded 54 tackles, three tackles for loss and one interception. and made the switch to defensive end in 2024.
Oladejo made the switch to defensive end this past season and recorded 57 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. During the final four games of the season, Oladejo recorded 19 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three sacks, 14 pressures and 14 run stops.
"Oladejo was one of the reasons the Bruins went from a fairly middling defense to above average," Ben Bolch, a UCLA beat writer for the Los Angeles Times, said. "As he got more comfortable in his new role as an edge rusher, his production increased and so did the disruptiveness of the defense. It was hard not to imagine how good he could have been had he made the move earlier."
At 6-3, and 259 pounds with nearly 34-inch arms, Oladejo looks the part of an NFL edge rusher. He's a long-armed pass rusher who has good initial burst off the snap and converts speed to power. Right now, his pass rush plan is full speed ahead at full force.
He is new to the position and doesn't have a detailed pass rush plan. However, he's able to knock offensive tackles backward with his physical and violent pass rush style. To go along with his 4.5 sacks, Oladejo also recorded 33 pressures.
"He's got a good combination of size and speed, with his technique improving every game he played at his new position," Bolch said. "His ability to not only get past the tackle but complete the play once he got into the backfield was what made him so effective."
Oladjo is strong at the point of attack and uses his length to keep offensive tackles at a distance. He has strong, heavy hands and is a violent tackler. He showcased outstanding closing burst to make plays down the line. According to Pro Football Focus, he recorded 29 run stops this past season at his new position.
"This is where having a sturdy build combined with good instincts helped," Bolch said. "Oladejo continually improved at diagnosing plays, putting himself in position to stop the run. His strength helped him turn into a brick wall that ballcarriers had trouble getting past."
Fit with the Packers
If the Packers pass rush is going to be a more consistent force in 2025, it's likely going to be due to bounce-back seasons from the likes of Rashan Gary and Kenny Clark and Lukas Van Ness enjoying a breakout season during his third year in the league.
Even if all those things happen, the Packers still need to add an edge rusher or two during the draft. Oladejo could be a potential target on Day 2 of the draft.
"The fact that he's already so good at a coveted position but retains massive upside makes Oladejo a steal," Bolch said. "He's only going to get better and have a bigger impact as his NFL career progresses.
With his first-step quickness and power, Oladejo could turn into a real force off the edge once he develops a more detailed pass rush plan. He's the type of player that Gutekunst could roll the dice on during Day 2 of the draft as they look to add more juice to the pass rush.