The 2024 NFL Draft could be the best draft for former Nittany Lions, as Penn State could be set to have 10 draft picks (the most for the program since 1996).
Two Nittany Lions are expected to hear their name called Thursday night, but with eight other players likely remaining, days two and three will be busy for Nittany Lions fans.
Predicting Where Each Penn State Football Prospect Will Land During the NFL Draft
Olu Fashanu: 14 Overall to New Orleans Saints
Left tackle Olu Fashanu has been mocked as a round-one prospect since before the 2022 season ended.
After deciding to return for his fourth season at Penn State, Olu Fashanu earned consensus All-American status in 2023. Fashanu could go in the top 10 tonight, but with so many quarterbacks and wide receivers headlining the class, my prediction is that he will be selected by the New Orleans Saints at pick number 14 overall.
Chop Robinson: 26 Overall to Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Defensive end Chop Robinson possesses elite speed and twitch for a defensive end, but his average size for the position likely caps his draft stock near the end of the first round.
Robinson was a second-team All-American in 2023 despite missing multiple games due to injury and rotating with a deep Penn State defensive line. Tampa Bay and defensive head coach Todd Bowles could be looking for a speedy pass rusher and my prediction is that they will snap up Robinson with the 26th pick in the first round Thursday night.
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Adisa Isaac: 50 Overall (Round 2) to Philadelphia Eagles
While Chop Robinson may have gotten more attention in 2023, defensive end Adisa Isaac was actually more productive on the field for the Nittany Lions.
Isaac led Penn State with 16 tackles for a loss and 7.5 sacks last season. His production and pre-draft process should put him in contention as a day two pick. I have him being selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 18th pick in the second round, 50th overall.
Theo Johnson: 80 Overall (Round 3) to Cincinnati Bengals
Tight end is hard to project in this draft with many prospects falling in a second tier behind Georgia’s Brock Bowers.
Theo Johnson doesn’t have the eye popping stats as other tight ends because of Penn State’s high usage of two tight ends in 2023, splitting targets with Tyler Warren.
Johnson would be a great fit in Cincinnati to unite with another former Penn State tight end Mike Gesicki as another weapon for Joe Burrow. I have Johnson off the board at 80 overall to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Hunter Nourzad: 98 Overall (Round 3) to Pittsburgh Steelers
Hunter Nourzad is projecting as a day 3 pick, but impressed a lot during the Shrine Bowl and the pre-draft process. Nourzad could surprise many like Juice Scruggs did last season when he was selected by the Texans in round two.
Pittsburgh could use a center and Nourzad could also provide position versatility along the interior offensive line, having played both guard and center in the past two seasons. I have Nourzad going higher than most to the Pittsburgh Steelers with the compensatory pick in round three at 98 overall.
Caedan Wallace: 94 Overall (Round 3) to San Fransisco 49ers
Another Penn State prospect that could go higher than most is Caedan Wallace. Wallace has been busy during the pre-draft process, taking 10 visits with teams and impressing both on tape and in workouts.
San Francisco is one of the places that Wallace visited and has a hole at right tackle. San Francisco could grab Wallace at the end of day two at 94 overall.
Kalen King: 195 Overall (Round 6) to Pittsburgh Steelers
Kalen King was projected as a potential day one pick last season when paired with 2023 second round pick Joey Porter Jr. He could be paired up again with Porter Jr in Pittsburgh with a day three selection this year.
Curtis Jacobs: 126 Overall (Round 4) to Green Bay Packers
Curtis Jacobs is an interesting prospect whose stock varies wildly between mock drafts. Green Bay is in need of an athletic linebacker in Jeff Hafley’s system. Jacobs fits that well having experience at both Will and Sam at Penn State. I have Jacobs being selected 126th overall (4th round) to the Green Bay Packers.
Johnny Dixon: 217 Overall (Round 6) to Los Angeles Rams
Johnny Dixon’s stock was hurt by his inability to workout at the combine or pro day due to injury. He should still slot in as a day three prospect, but would have had the opportunity to increase his stock with the pre-draft workouts. I have him slotted at 217 overall (6th round) to the Los Angeles Rams.
Daequan Hardy: 173 Overall (Round 5) to Kansas City Chiefs
Daequan Hardy is a very undersized cornerback prospect for the NFL, but his explosiveness and speed will give him a shot in the league. Last season, Hardy showed an ability to change the game returning two punts for touchdowns (and another that was called back for a penalty).
With the new kickoff rules in the NFL, a team could select Hardy in the hopes that he becomes an electric returner and provides depth at nickel cornerback as well.
After losing L’Jarius Sneed this offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs could use depth at cornerback and Hardy’s skills could be dangerous for the creative Andy Reed. I have Hardy going a bit earlier than most would expect at pick 173 overall in the fifth round.
MORE: Penn State Dominates Top NFL Draft Analyst’s Top-150 Prospects
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