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Who will the next Penn State first-round NFL Draft pick be? Here are the top candidates

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•about 13 hours•

GregPickel

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Drew Allar. (Pickel/BWI)

Penn State put two players in the first round of the NFL Draft for the second time in as many years in 2025. Abdul Carter and Tyler Warren both went in the top 15. In 2024, Olu Fashanu and Chop Robinson both went in the top 25. And, back in 2021, Micah Parsons and Odafe Oweh both went within the first 32 picks.

Will the Lions continue the trend in 2026? Here’s a closer look at some of the candidates.

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar

If the senior plays the way he wants to and Penn State hopes he does in 2025, he is all but assured of landing in the first round. Some NFL personnel thought he could have gone in the first round this year after he led the Lions to the College Football Playoff semifinals. But, he had already elected to return to school and stuck with his plan. Through three college seasons, two of which he’s spent as the starter, Allar has completed 530 of 843 passes (62.9 percent) over 39 games for 6,302 yards, 53 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.

The Nittany Lion running backs

Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen both have first round potential. The fact that so few running backs go within the first 32 picks will make their path to joining the Penn State first round brotherhood difficult. But, two running backs going in the first round this year offers some hope, along with what should be improved play for both under Stan Drayton. However, 2025 was an anomaly, as before it, a years-long drought with no running backs going in the first round persisted.

Penn State defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton

The NFL LOVES big, fast, and talented edge rushers. Dennis-Sutton has all of the tools to be the kind of draft prospect that makes pro personnel salivate. He is coming off an injury that cost him all of spring ball. But, he is expected to be ready to roll for preseason camp. ‘DDS’ figures to be a dominating presence for Jim Knowles’ defense. So far, he has 85 tackles (23 for loss) and 15 sacks over 42 career games.

Who could the wild card possibilities be?

Our top choice is guard Vega Ioane. Four guards went in the top 32 picks this year. Ioane likely isn’t viewed that way by pro personnel right now. But, he’s already a second-team All-Big Ten pick and mauler. He could move his way up draft boards with a good year.

Another option is cornerback AJ Harris. He was a unanimous All-Big Ten third team selection and is one of the conference’s top returners at his position. A big senior season could send his draft stock skyrocketing, as well.

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