Where are mock NFL drafts projecting former Nittany Lions like Yetur Gross-Matos, K.J. Hamler?
It’s NFL draft week, and that means the final mock drafts of the season are filing in. Five former Penn State football players can find themselves mentioned in three major mock drafts with limited time left until they find out their first NFL destination.
Let’s look at where they’re currently projected in three different seven-round mock drafts
DE Yetur Gross-Matos
First round, No. 25 overall, Minnesota Vikings (NFL.com)
Landing with Minnesota would give Gross-Matos an opportunity to get on the field quickly, and would pair him with an excellent edge-rushing partner. The Vikings are set to lose longtime defensive end Everson Griffen, who remains a free agent. Gross-Matos would have a chance to fill his role across from two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter. The former Nittany Lion is the second-best edge rusher in the class, according to former NFL scout Dan Shonka.
First round, No. 27 overall, Seattle Seahawks (CBSSports)
Seattle will need pass rush help with former Seahawk Jadeveon Clowney still a free agent. Gross-Matos could provide the kind of help they need on the edge and produce six to seven sacks per year according to Shonka. He’d provide a much cheaper, albeit less prolific, alternative to Clowney in the short and long run.
Second round, No. 42 overall, Jacksonville Jaguars (WalterFootball)
The Jaguars are in the midst of a rebuild after a short-lived period as one of the best defenses in the league. They’ve traded multiple starters from the 2018 AFC Championship team, including veteran defensive end Calais Campbell. The team’s other starting end, Yannick Ngakoue, could be on his way out as well after requesting a trade several times this offseason. Gross-Matos would have plenty of playing time ahead of him if the Jaguars take him. That would make this an ideal situation, even if it means falling out of the first round.
WR K.J. Hamler
Second round, No. 51 overall, Dallas Cowboys (CBSSports)
Dallas already has two good young wide receivers in Amari Cooper, who signed a five-year $100 million contract this offseason, and 2018 third-round pick Michael Gallup. The Cowboys did lose slot receiver Randall Cobb, who signed with the Houston Texans in free agency, and will need an option in the slot. Hamler would fill that role nicely on a team, according to Shonka.
Second round, No. 59 overall, Seattle Seahawks (NFL.com)
Seattle would be an odd landing spot for the former Nittany Lion wide receiver. The Seahawks already have a very good slot receiver in Tyler Lockett and one of the league’s burgeoning deep threats in D.K. Metcalf. Hamler would best fit a team that needs a better slot option or a player to stretch the field. That doesn’t seem to be the case in Seattle.
Second round, No. 58 overall, Minnesota Vikings (WalterFootball)
The Vikings are in search of a second receiver next to Adam Thielen after trading Stefon Diggs for a package of picks, including a first-rounder. Hamler would add the same play-making ability Diggs had in the open field and would create space for Thielen to work underneath. Hamler’s spot on the field would be interesting in Minnesota because Thielen is at his best in the slot, likely forcing Hamler outside.
DT Robert Windsor
Fourth round, No. 131 overall, Arizona Cardinals (NFL.com)
Arizona would present an opportunity for Windsor to get early playing time in his NFL career, and a legitimate opportunity to start if he plays well. The former Nittany Lion would be a part of an inexperienced group of defensive tackles and the pick equity used to get him would give the Cardinals more reason to see what he can do early on in his career. Windsor could also slide out to defensive end in the Cardinals 3-4 scheme.
Sixth round, No. 205 overall, Tampa Bay (CBSSports)
The Buccaneers have a need for a backup nose tackle in their 3-4 defense and Windsor could fit the bill. His versatility would allow him to play all three spots along the line, including the nose. He wouldn’t have a great opportunity for playing time with former first round pick Vita Vea at nose tackle and veterans Ndamukong Suh and William Gholston at the end positions, but could pick some up down the road if the 33-year-old Suh slows down.
CB John Reid
Fourth round, No. 137 overall, Jacksonville Jaguars (CBS Sports)
Jacksonville’s rebuild on defense includes its secondary, which would present Reid with an early opportunity for playing time. The Jaguars’ starters at the beginning of the 2019 season, A.J. Bouye and Jalen Ramsey, have both since been traded and weren’t replaced with stellar play. Reid would have a chance to see the field as a rookie if he lands in Jacksonville.
Seventh round, No. 243 overall, Tennessee Titans (NFL.com)
Tennessee wouldn’t be the worst place for Reid to end up in the draft. The Titans need a replacement for current free agent Logan Ryan, who started all 16 regular season games and the Titans’ three playoff games in 2019. Reid could come in and fight for his spot in the slot, where Ryan spent 57.4% of his available snaps, according to PlayerProfiler.com.
LB Cam Brown
Seventh round, No. 216 overall, Washington Redskins (CBSSports)
Brown only showed up in one of the three mock drafts, but at least landed in a good situation, even if he falls to the seventh round. Washington is moving to a new scheme under head coach Ron Rivera and Brown would have a chance to impress right away. He’d go in with a clean slate, like most of the roster, and an opportunity to impress and win a rotation spot.
This story was originally published April 21, 2020 at 3:35 PM.
