Where Penn State players stand in new ESPN, PFF mock drafts
Several prominent NFL Draft analysts have shuffled their boards following last weekend’s Senior Bowl, and Penn State players are once again featured prominently in updated mock drafts.
A new two-round mock from ESPN’s Jordan Reid includes three Nittany Lions, while PFF’s Seth Galina offered some praise for Arnold Ebiketie in his updated first-round mock.
Jahan Dotson
Penn State wideout Jahan Dotson is the only Nittany Lions slated to go in the first round of both these updated mock drafts.
Dotson finished last season with 1,182 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in 12 games, sparking an otherwise mundane Penn State offense.
Reid has him going 32nd overall to the Detroit Lions. There, Dotson would almost certainly get plenty of opportunities to contribute early on. Alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown, Dotson would give Detroit a pair of exciting young wideouts as it continues to rebuild.
Reid praised Dotson’s ability to consistently run routes well, and noted his wide catch radius.
Pro Football Focus’s updated mock draft is much higher on Dotson.
They’ve got him going 21st overall to the New England Patriots, where he’d provide some much-needed explosiveness at the wideout position for young quarterback Mac Jones.
Galina thinks Dotson could help a Patriots WR core that struggles against man coverage, adding that he’d give them a deep threat they really need.
RELATED: Penn State basketball takes on Michigan: Preview, prediction
Arnold Ebiketie
Predicting him to go at No. 22 to the Raiders, Galina called Ebiketie the “steal of the draft.”
Ebiketie certainly impressed statistically during his one season at Penn State. He picked up 9.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss in 2021, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors.
Top 10
- 1Hot
New CFP Top 25
College Football Playoff rankings revealed
- 2New
Strength of Schedule
CFP Top 25 SOS ranking
- 3Trending
12-Team CFP bracket
Updated College Football Playoff bracket
- 4
Hunter Dickinson ejected
Kansas big man kicks Duke player in head
- 5
Colbie Young status
Kirby Smart reveals latest on Georgia WR
Galina speculates that he would compliment standout Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby well.
ESPN’s Reid has Ebiketie going toward the back of the second round, slotting him at No. 55 overall to the Cardinals.
Reid touted Ebiketie’s explosiveness and natural pass-rushing ability, and thinks he could contribute early on in his pro career.
Jaquan Brisker
Brisker didn’t crack Pro Football Focus’s first-round mock, but did make an appearance in ESPN’s projections.
Reid has him going 42nd overall to the newly-minted Washington Commanders.
He could join another former Penn State safety, Troy Apke, in Washington, should the Commanders elect to extend his contract.
Reid views Brisker as a “versatile” safety, and noted his communication and leadership skills.
The ESPN analyst thinks Brisker is better in roles that allow him to be closer to the line of scrimmage.
