ESPN's Mel Kiper slots two Penn State products in first round of latest mock draft
The NFL Draft is almost here, and one Penn State prospect is rising up the board of ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper.
That man is defensive end Arnold Ebiketie, for whom Kiper has been ringing the bell for some time.
“As a pass-rusher, with his hand in the ground and also in space, I think he can be a guy that can help you maybe even going in reverse,” Kiper said of Ebiketie in early April. “I think the versatility’s there. Coaching will be important. System will be important. I think probably more of a second-round pick now. But he’s going to be a good second-round pick for somebody.”
Well, Ebiketie seems to have risen above that second-round projection in Kiper’s mind.
In his latest mock draft, Kiper slots Ebiketie in at No. 24 overall to the Dallas Cowboys.
Ebiketie is the fifth defensive end selected in the mock, and the first Nittany Lion off of Kiper’s draft board — an honor that has gone to wideout Jahan Dotson in just about every mock draft produced since the end of the season.
“I’m a fan [of Ebiketie],” Kiper wrote. “I wanted to find a fit for him in Round 1. The Temple transfer really improved last season, putting up 9.5 sacks. He has a powerful lower body and knows how to use his hands. The Cowboys have to find a way to replace Randy Gregory, and Ebiketie could help. “
If Dallas is indeed Ebiketie’s landing spot, he would join the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year — Penn State product Micah Parsons.
Now that would be quite the pass-rushing duo of former Nittany Lions.
More Penn State draft projections from Mel Kiper
Dotson, of course, is the other Nittany Lion projected to be selected in the first round by Kiper.
He has Dotson going 26th overall to the Tennessee Titans, who desperately need a Robin to AJ Brown’s Batman at wide receiver after a failed experiment with Julio Jones.
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“Dotson, who ran a 4.43 40 at the combine, caught 91 passes last season, 33 coming from the slot,” Kiper wrote. “He would give Ryan Tannehill more easy throws because he can scoot after the catch.”
Rounding out Kiper’s projections is safety Jaquan Brisker, who misses out on the first round by five picks.
Kiper has Brisker coming off the board at No. 37 overall to the Houston Texans.
Brisker has been touted by NFL experts for his versatility, something he highlighted when speaking to reporters at Penn State’s pro day event.
“Some teams just asked me what I could do, if I could play all six [secondary] positions,” Brisker said at pro day. “And I say yes. Throughout junior college and throughout my time here I’ve shown my versatility. I showed that I could play anywhere in the secondary, whether that’s corner, nickel, boundary nickel or both safety spots.”
In Kiper’s view, he can fill the hole vacated by Justin Reid.
