Will Penn State have any NFL draft surprises? Former scout breaks down Nittany Lions’ potential
Penn State is set to place a new crop of talent in the NFL this weekend when the 2020 draft takes place — virtually — from Thursday-Saturday. Five Nittany Lions are likely to be picked while a few more should find landing spots as undrafted free agents.
Yetur Gross-Matos, John Reid, Cam Brown and Robert Windsor helped anchor the 2019 Nittany Lion defense and should all hear their names called over the three days, while wide receiver K.J. Hamler is expected to be the only offensive player from Penn State selected.
We spoke to current Ourlads general manager and former national scout Dan Shonka about the former Nittany Lions who will enter the NFL this season. Here’s what he had to say.
DE Yetur Gross-Matos
Strengths: “He’s got the length you want as an outside pass rusher. He’s got the ideal body size. He’s a long and bendy guy who plays with a low pad level. He’s very flexible. He’s got a big lower body, which is good because he can anchor against the run better. He’s got speed off the edge and excellent speed for the position. I think he’s an ascending player. It’s all ahead of him.”
Weaknesses: “He disappeared at times. Sometimes you didn’t know if he was on the field. You’d like to see him attack the blocker’s chest a little bit. I think he can be more physical when he gives a two-arm extension. Sometimes against the run he can get washed out. I think he’s inconsistent on his first step get-off. Sometimes I wonder if he’s always focused on the job at hand. Most of the times he plays really well, but he’s still got holes.”
Grade: First round
Outlook: “Theoretically he’s the second-best pass-rusher off the edge in this draft. ... I think, since he’s an ascending player, I think he’ll be a guy who can week in and week out be a real solid player. Maybe get six or seven sacks a year.”
WR K.J. Hamler
Strengths: “His speed. He’s electric. That’s his calling card. He’s a super-fast guy who exploded on the scene as a redshirt freshman. He gives you great speed, he can get it going vertical. He gets in and out of his cuts really quickly. He has explosiveness out of his break.”
Weaknesses: “You worry this year about drops a bit. The size (worries you). I think it’s going to limit him to being a slot guy instead of an outside guy. That’s the big thing, his height. Then, is he going to be able to hold up? His durability would be a concern, also. He can also get overwhelmed in contested situations.”
Projection: Second round
Outlook: “He’s an impact guy. He gives you return ability. He’ll be a chess piece for teams or a utility player. I think he’ll be a really good slot player in the league.”
LB Cam Brown
Strengths: “He’s got really good range. He drops into coverage and gets those long arms up. He bats balls down. When he’s in chase mode he eats up a lot of grass quickly because of his long strides. He shows some aggression moving downhill. He’ll explode into tackles and run through a tackle. I think he’s a lot more physical than people think. His length is a big advantage to him and he ran really well.”
Weaknesses: “He has to work to bend to keep blockers off his legs. He’s slender. He has to put on some weight, certainly, if he’s going to play outside over a tight end. You’d like to see him have more balance in his lower body. The big thing would be gaining a little more weight.”
Projection: Fourth-fifth round
Outlook: “I think a 4-3 scheme lined up over the tight end (would be best). I think with some work he could play inside. I think he’ll start out on the outside but when you go to your sub packages, I think he’ll fit inside.”
CB John Reid
Strengths: “We really like John Reid. His biggest thing is his short-area quickness, which you’ve got to have to be a slot corner. I think he’s going to be a really good slot corner. Reid is really a smart guy. We had him at the East-West Game and he really did a nice job all week in practice. He was really good in coverage. He could probably play outside once in a while because he’s not real small. He’s good in press coverage. He’s a tough kid, working through blocks. He’s a good zone defender. He does a good job sticking with receivers.”
Weaknesses: “He might not have great finish speed. He might not have that closing gear on a speed guy deep. What bothers me a little bit, he grabs the receiver instead of moving his feet. He’ll grab them instead of just staying in front of them. Bigger, taller type receivers could give him problems.”
Projection: Fifth-Sixth round
Outlook: “I think he’ll eventually be a starter in the slot. He’s really a versatile guy. He’s got the skills to be on the outside but I think he’ll start in the slot. That slot corner is as valuable as the outside guys anymore.”
DT Robert Windsor
Strengths: “He’s got size and he’s got some power to him. He’s a physical guy that really hustles. If you look at the Iowa game, he just killed Iowa. He looked dominant in that game. He showed some quick movement off the ball. He uses his hands pretty well. He’s got quick and strong hands.
Weaknesses: “He’s not an overly explosive guy. He’s more power than explosion. We’d like to see him be more explosive. He does disappear at times.“
Projection: Sixth-seventh round
Outlook: “I think he’ll be a journeyman defensive lineman, a long-term back or rotational guy. He’ll keep blockers off linebackers. Some teams may like him as a run-stuffing defensive tackle. Just pushing the pocket.”
Quick Hitters
- Offensive guard Steven Gonzalez could be drafted as well, according to Shonka. “He’s a smart kid and hard worker, he’s just a limited athlete.”
- Shonka likes tight end Nick Bowers, but his hip injury history is a concern. He said the former Nittany Lion could make a roster as long as he passes his physical because he catches the ball well and has good size.
- Wide receiver Dan Chisena could be drafted late because of his length and speed, although his drops were a major issue. Shonka said he’s likely to be an undrafted free agent.
- Former punter Blake Gillikin should make a camp while safety Garrett Taylor and linebacker and Jan Johnson could also make camps, according to Shonka.
- The former NFL Scout, while talking about Bowers, called Pat Freiermuth “probably the best tight end in the country.”
This story was originally published April 20, 2020 at 5:28 PM.
