Where Penn State players stand in Todd McShay's latest NFL Draft rankings
ESPN NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay updated his board this week, including six Penn State players between his top-32 prospects and his positional rankings.
Jahan Dotson, Jesse Luketa, Jordan Stout, Arnold Ebiketie, Brandon Smith and Jaquan Brisker each cracked the top-10 prospects at their respective positions.
Dotson was the only Nittany Lion to earn a place in McShay’s list of the top-32 overall prospects.
McShay has Dotson as the No. 28 player in the draft, and the No. 6 wide receiver. Dotson has slid down McShay’s board four places since his last update in early January.
“He is lightning quick in and out of his breaks, but he always seems to be in control. His tape is smooth, and his routes are sharp,” McShay wrote. “Despite a smaller catch radius, his ball skills are terrific, and he will pluck the ball on the run and/or adjust to throws with excellent body control.”
McShay expressed some concern about Dotson’s size as it relates to his ability to win 50-50 balls, but praised his field vision and his speed as factors that can help him make up for what he lacks in physical stature.
Penn State players in McShay’s positional rankings
LB/DE Jesse Luketa
Projecting Luketa as an outside linebacker, McShay has him as the No. 9 prospect in the draft at that position. Luketa made the move to defensive end this season, having previously served as a linebacker for the Nittany Lions. He was credited with half a sack, and accumulated 12 total pressures to go with 61 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss.
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P Jordan Stout
Stout is the top punter on McShay’s board, edging out Jake Camarda from Georgia. Stout became one of Penn State’s biggest assets last season — only his second as a punter. In winning the Big Ten’s Punter of the Year award, Stout led the nation with 4.34 average seconds of hangtime on his punts. He was the country’s highest-graded punter, garnering a 93.2 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.
DE Arnold Ebiketie
Ebiketie is the No. 6 defensive end on the draft board according to McShay. A transfer from Temple, Ebiketie garnered All-Big Ten honors for his fantastic season, which saw him get to the quarterback 9.5 times and make 18 tackles for loss as well.
LB Brandon Smith
McShay rates Smith as the No. 10 inside linebacker in the 2022 NFL Draft class. Smith elected to declare following a middling junior season, in which he totaled 81 tackles, nine tackles for loss and five pass breakups. He received a 59.7 overall defensive grade from PFF for the season. He struggled in defending the run, but was excellent in pass coverage, where he earned an 80.0 grade from PFF.
S Jaquan Brisker
McShay isn’t as high on Brisker as some other draft analysts, tabbing him as the No. 6 safety on his updated big board. Brisker spent three seasons at Penn State after transferring from Lackawanna College. Last season, he made 63 total tackles, came down with two interceptions and broke up five passes. He also compiled six tackles for loss. Pro Football Focus gave him an 82.4 overall defensive grade on the season.
