Oladejo has seen his stock rise in recent months following a transitional senior season
News has begun to trickle in about players the Buffalo Bills will officially host as part of the team’s top-30 visits ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. The draft is just 20 days away now, which means prospect visits may come to the fold fast and furious over the next few weeks. In previous years, we might have far more names by now among Buffalo’s top-30 visit list, so this timing represents a bit of a new twist in the reporting process.
One might expect the Bills to be taking visits from plenty of defensive players, specifically defensive tackles and defensive backs. But they won’t stop there in trying to build a stronger beast of a defense in 2025 and beyond.
A name to keep in mind now is Oluwafemi “Femi” Oladejo. An edge rusher who played collegiately on the west coast, Oladejo is now one of among up to 30 players set to visit One Bills Drive in the coming days, per a tweet first shared by writer Lauren Elizabeth.
Despite general manager Brandon Beane having just signed defensive end Greg Rousseau to a four-year contract extension, and bringing in edge rusher Joey Bosa, there’s an argument to be made for adding more resources to what’s already a crowded defensive end situation. That’s due largely to the fact that in 2024, the team’s edge defenders just didn’t get the job done often enough, most noticeably in big games.
Apart from Von Miller being let go, the unit looks nearly the same as last year while adding Bosa and hybrid D-lineman Michael Hoecht. The Bills will have to play at least the first six games without Hoecht thanks to his looming suspension for use of performance-enhancing drugs.
Will Buffalo be content to run it back with last season’s group largely intact? At first blush, it doesn’t seem like the best plan — hence visits with young prospects such as Oladejo, who is a linebacker-turned-EDGE defender and someone who’s come into his own following said switch.
Earlier in the offseason, B.J. Monacelli reported on Oladejo following his NFL Scouting Combine work. Notably, Monacelli observed him as a player to watch for landing with Buffalo on Day 2, but with a word of caution on that idea:
“He’s rising on draft boards and likely won’t be around when Buffalo’s on the clock in Round 2, so a trade-up might have to happen. That said, Oladejo has traits and some exciting flashes on film that make him a tasty prospect oozing with potential.”
At the combine, Oladejo measured in at 6’3” and 259 pounds with 33 3/8” arms and 9 3/4” hands; he didn’t run the 40-yard dash or 10-yard split, but put up numbers of 36.5” in the vertical jump and a 10’ broad jump. At his pro day, Oladejo was time at 4.7 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
Oladejo divided his four-year college career between the University of California and UCLA. He was an academic standout, earning placements on the Big Ten Academic Honor Roll and also the UCLA Athletic Director’s Honor Roll. Additionally, Oladejo’s senior season saw him earn a trip to the Senior Bowl and also the Kenny Clark Award for “Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman” (2024).
In four college seasons, Oladejo played 47 games, making 240 tackles (121 solo), 25 tackles for loss, six sacks, two interceptions, six pass defenses, three fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble. It was at UCLA where he began to carve out a name for himself as a rush specialist, claiming five of his six sacks and 17 of his 25 tackles for loss.
(All stats courtesy of Sports Reference.)
Does Femi Oladejo fit what the Buffalo Bills need at EDGE?
Based on his successful transition to EDGE, Oladejo may best be observed as a raw, developmental prospect. He’s someone who might truly blossom if given enough time to learn behind the scenes in a situation like the Bills could offer.
Given that success, it’s reasonable to view Oladejo as a still-ascending player who shows enough traits already that he may very well find himself drafted earlier than anyone could have predicted had he remained a true linebacker. Though thought of as a pass rusher first, Oladejo also brings strong ability as a run defender.
Add in his solid and productive showing at the Senior Bowl as a prospect needing to prove himself, and there’s reason to imagine One Bills Drive has more than just cursory interest in Femi Oladejo. He’s in need of molding, which is something Buffalo may be looking to do this season with a rookie or two.
Oluwafemi Oladejo Scouting Reports and more
- Hogs Haven Scouting Report on Femi Oladejo
- The 33rd Team Femi Oladejo Scouting Report
- The Draft Network interview with Femi Oladejo
- The Draft Network Scouting Report on Femi Oladejo
- NFL.com Femi Oladejo Scouting Report
- NFL Draft Buzz Scouting Report on Femi Oladjeo
- Pro Football Focus Scouting Report of Femi Oladejo
- Bleacher Report Scouting Profile of Femi Oladejo