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Olawale

Olawale opted out of the 2020 season because of COVID-19, and he was barely used the year prior. The 32-year-old veteran will settle for a minimum-dollar contract if he wishes to return.

Olawale has been with Dallas for two seasons. He’s caught two passes and recorded a zero as a runner during his time with the Cowboys. He has played on 232 offensive snaps, blocking on nearly every one of them. Olawale is primarily used on special teams, recording 539 special teams snaps for the Cowboys.

Olawale played 118 snaps over 16 appearances in 2019, failing to record a single carry or catch in those outings. He’s totaled two touches since signing with the Cowboys in ’18.

The Cowboys are swapping their fifth-round pick for Oakland’s sixth-rounder in the deal. Dallas needed a fullback after losing Keith Smith, who signed with the Raiders in free agency.

It’s an interesting move with Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson due back this week and Jeremy Stewart and Marcel Reece playing well. Olawale is a converted wide receiver and fullback, so the Raiders may envision him as a lead blocker. He showed well in preseason action.

He also caught his lone target for two yards. With Latavius Murray (toe) out, Olawale took over as the Raiders’ goal-line back, capitalizing on his lone carry from the one-yard line for a bunny touchdown. Expect him to see 6-8 carries and most of the goal-line work if Murray continues to miss time.

It’s not clear when Olawale suffered the injury. Latavius Murray will be locked into goal-line work if Olawale misses time.

Olawale took a pair of goal-line carries from the one-yard line early in the game but was stuffed on both. His big play was a 75-yard touchdown catch-and-run on a busted coverage by the Texans. On the play, Amari Cooper was lined up in the backfield with Olawale outside. The defense bit on the Cooper swing pass, and Olawale snuck deep and into the end zone for the long score. He obviously isn’t on the fantasy radar heading into Week 12 against the Panthers.

A fourth-year UDFA, Olawale has been a steady game day presence since 2013. He has 32 touches this season, easily a new career high. He’s Pro Football Focus’ No. 7 fullback through 13 weeks, but the competition isn’t very fierce. The Raiders love locking up role-playing types.

Olawale played 114 snaps last year, and that was 114 too many. His airball on what should have been an easy touchdown catch late in the season against the Colts was one of four targets he saw all season.