Penn State football roundtable: Projecting where former Nittany Lions could land in the NFL draft

The 2020 NFL Draft is nearly here and that means a new batch of Penn State football players will be making the jump to the professional ranks this weekend. Five former Nittany Lions should hear their names called during the draft, and there’s potential for more.

We decided to take our best shots and projecting where the five will land and if anyone else will join them among the ranks of the drafted.

DE Yetur Gross-Matos

Josh Moyer: First round, No. 29 overall, Tennessee Titans

The Titans are in serious need of an EDGE rusher, and Gross-Matos would absolutely fill that need. The biggest question, to me, is whether he lasts that long. The New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings are among the teams that could vie for his services — and Gross-Matos is a strong prospect who will likely reward whatever teams pulls the trigger first.

Lauren Muthler: First round, No. 27 overall, Seattle Seahawks

Gross-Matos’ length and speed off the edge make him an excellent pickup for any team and puts him in a good position to become Penn State’s first defensive player to be drafted in the first round since Jared Odrick in 2010. Former teammate P.J. Mustipher said it best, Gross-Matos is a game-changer.

“He changes games, the way he rushes off the edge, he’s a big impact player,” Mustipher said ahead of the Cotton Bowl.

As long as Seattle doesn’t trade down, as it’s done in recent years, Gross-Matos would provide more depth off the edge for the Seahawks, whether or not they re-sign Jadeveon Clowney.

Bret Pallotto: First round, No. 27 overall, Seattle Seahawks

Gross-Matos could join Saquon Barkley as the only Nittany Lion to be drafted in the first round in the past decade, and few teams could use a pass rusher more than Seattle.

The Seahawks finished 2019 tied for the second-fewest sacks. Their first round pick last year was defensive end L.J. Collier, who finished his rookie season with three tackles. Gross-Matos could help fill that void a year later.

Jon Sauber: First round, No. 25 overall, Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota needs a replacement for Everson Griffen with the veteran defensive end still available as a free agent. Gross-Matos can provide help as a pass rusher off the edge on early downs and has the length and strength to slide inside on passing down and rush from the interior.

He’d pair well with elite speed rusher Danielle Hunter on the Vikings.

WR K.J. Hamler

Josh Moyer: Second round, No. 62 overall, Green Bay Packers

Yes, it’s absolutely possible — if not probable — that the Packers go with a receiver in the first round. But, if they don’t, it would be hard for them to pass up Hamler in the late second round. (Other great fits would be the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints.) Hamler is an explosive slot receiver, but he’s hampered by his size and durability. That might cause him to fall, but it only takes one team to fall in love with a player. And Packers fans should love this pick.

Lauren Muthler: Second round, No. 53 overall, Philadelphia Eagles

When Eagles running back Miles Sanders lit up with excitement talking to ESPN’s Tim McManus about the possibility of selecting his former Penn State teammate when he announces Philadelphia’s second-round pick on Friday, speculation swarmed among the Nittany Lion faithful.

The possibility of Hamler joining his former teammate and playing for the same team as DeSean Jackson, whom Hamler has often been compared to and one of the Michigan native’s favorite players, is almost too good of a story to come true. But, Philadelphia is in need of some speed in the passing game, and who doesn’t love a good story?

Bret Pallotto: Second round, No. 62 overall, Green Bay Packers

The Packers haven’t used one of their first two picks on an offensive skill position player since 2014, so this pick would break recent tradition.

But Green Bay deployed a group of several unremarkable pass catchers last year, except for wide receiver Davante Adams. Hamler could give quarterback Aaron Rodgers a reliable second option.

Jon Sauber: Third round, No. 103 overall, Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles are in desperate need of wide receiver help and taking two in the first three rounds is a legitimate possibility. Hamler would provide some much-needed speed to a wide receiver room that only has 33-year-old DeSean Jackson as a downfield burner.

This may seem low for Hamler, but with his injury concerns and the depth of the wide receiver class, a few of them are bound to fall further than expected. In a normal year, he’s likely an easy second-round pick.

CB John Reid

Josh Moyer: Fifth round, No. 167 overall, Buffalo Bills

The Bills may have added some secondary pieces this offseason, with the signings of EJ Gaines and Josh Norman, but those were just one-year deals. Add in the fact that returning starter Levi Wallace could be a free agent at this time next year, and it’s clear Buffalo could use a young, high-ceiling corner that doesn’t need to play right away. Reid fits that mold completely. Penn State rarely played up to his strengths, and he could have a better career in the NFL. Some team is going to be really happy it took Reid; it wouldn’t surprise me if he was even drafted a round earlier.

Lauren Muthler: Sixth round, No. 189 overall, Jacksonville Jaguars

Reid turned heads at the NFL combine with a “better-than-expected” 4.49-second 40, and even drew praise from Hall of Famer Deion Sanders for his smoothness in drills. In recent days, Reid’s stock has continued to rise as several analysts have touted him as an undervalued draft pick.“In that fourth, fifth or sixth round, somebody’s going to get a really talented, physical, competitive dude,” ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit recently told reporters.

Reid’s momentum could land him in the sixth round, where he could get snagged by the Jaguars, who have plenty of holes to fill in their secondary.

Bret Pallotto: Fifth round, No. 177 overall, Kansas City Chiefs

Reid tied for the team lead with eight pass breakups and two interceptions as a safety. Several draft analysts have said a move to slot corner could be the path of least resistance to a starting job in the NFL.

The Chiefs fared better against the pass in 2019 when compared to 2018, but lost defensive back Kendall Fuller to free agency and aren’t teeming in depth.

Jon Sauber: Fifth round, No. 149 overall, Detroit Lions

Reid’s stock has some helium of late thanks to an impressive combine performance. He’s at his best in the slot because of his quickness and lack of elite size, but could hang with smaller wide receivers on the outside.

The Lions need a lot of help in the secondary and Reid would likely be their second cornerback taken in the draft, if they decide to choose him.

LB Cam Brown

Josh Moyer: Sixth round, No. 186 overall, Los Angeles Chargers

Brown is a project, but he can serve as a backup/special-teams player from the start. He’s tall at 6-foot-5 and, while his 40-yard dash (4.72) wasn’t spectacular, his length makes him an interesting prospect to drop back in coverage. With the Chargers already filling their top needs in the draft — quarterback, offensive line, cornerback — they can look toward the positions where they need depth at this point.

Lauren Muthler: Seventh round, No. 228 overall, Atlanta Falcons

At 6-foot-5.25 with a 78.875-inch wingspan, Brown is a speedy linebacker who can cause a lot of trouble for opposing quarterbacks with his length. His weaknesses are that he could add a few more pounds of muscle to prepare for NFL competition, and a history of missed tackles.

However, Brown could be an asset to any team that chooses him, even as a contributor on special teams. He’s most likely to get picked up by a team that utilizes a 4-3 defensive scheme, like the Atlanta Falcons in the seventh round.

Bret Pallotto: Sixth round, No. 181 overall, Washington Redskins

New Redskins coach Ron Rivera and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio are transitioning the Redskins to a 4-3 scheme, and that’s the system former NFL scout Dan Shonka told the Centre Daily Times that Brown could fit in best.

Brown could push for a starting role in Washington. The team has options at linebacker, including Jon Bostic and Cole Holcomb who each finished with more than 100 tackles last season, but still finished No. 27 in total yards allowed per game.

Jon Sauber: Sixth round, No. 214 overall, Seattle Seahawks

Seattle could use some linebacker depth and Brown can provide some of the cover skills team’s covet in modern second-level defenders. He has the length and athleticism to stick with running backs and tight ends in the middle of the field in the NFL.

He’s a good upside swing for the Seahawks in the late rounds.

DT Robert Windsor

Josh Moyer: Sixth round, No. 180 overall, Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals recently held a FaceTime interview with Windsor about two weeks ago, and defensive line coach Nick Eason coached him during the Senior Bowl. So those are all good signs when it comes to the Bengals’ interest. Windsor fared well at the NFL combine — running a 4.9-second 40 at 290 pounds — and he could focus on the three-technique while playing situationally as a five-technique guy. If he lasts this long, the Bengals would be wise to snatch him up.

Lauren Muthler: Sixth round, No. 192 overall, Green Bay Packers

Before the 2019 season, Windsor was barely in the draft conversation. But during the summer before his senior year, the Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, native gave up alcohol and set his sights on being the “best defensive tackle in the country.” His progression and NFL potential were no more prevalent than in the Iowa game, when his pressure on quarterback Nate Stanley forced an interception and put the game out of reach for the Hawkeyes.

If Windsor can keep that momentum going, he should be able to see the field no matter where he ends up. A few draft projections have had Windsor going back home to the Packers, where he would be able to play multiple spots across their three-man front.

Bret Pallotto: Sixth round, No. 204 overall, Houston Texans

Few draft analysts, if any, have doubted Windsor’s proverbial motor. A lot more have critiqued how his athleticism may translate to the NFL.

But the Texans, who have never drafted a Nittany Lion, need defensive line depth. Windsor could slide in and provide a steady presence.

Jon Sauber: Seventh round, No. 215 overall, Cincinnati Bengals

Windsor has the versatility to play all three spots in a three-man front or the interior of a four-man front in the NFL, making him a fit with most teams.

The Bengals have trotted out All-Pro defensive tackle Geno Atkins for a decade, but he could use some help alongside him and behind him moving forward. Windsor could provide depth while competing for a spot in the rotation next to Atkins.

Will anyone else get drafted?

Josh Moyer: No

Offensive lineman Steven Gonzalez and safety Garrett Taylor could earn free-agent contracts, while punter Blake Gillikin and tight end Nick Bowers will likely receive camp invites. But it’s difficult envisioning any of these players getting drafted. If I had to choose one, I’d go with Gonzalez — but I’d definitely set the over/under of Nittany Lions drafted at five.

Lauren Muthler: Steven Gonzalez

Second team All-Big Ten selection Steven Gonzalez could slide into the draft in the seventh round after another dominating season at left guard for the Nittany Lions. But not having the quickest feet could keep Gonzalez as an undrafted free agent.

Whether Gonzalez hears his name called or earns a free-agent contract, his strength and the experience and football IQ he built up after three years of starting for the Nittany Lions would provide good depth on the interior for a team like the Vikings to pick in the seventh round.

Bret Pallotto: Steven Gonzalez

It wouldn’t be surprising if a Big Ten guard, who Shonka dubbed a “smart kid and hard worker,” with 42 career starts gets drafted.

He, like Windsor, isn’t the most athletic lineman teams will find, but he is reliable. If you were trying to build a stereotypical coach, they’d be looking for someone described as experienced, reliable, intelligent and hardworking. Gonzalez finding his way onto an NFL team wouldn’t be surprising.

Jon Sauber: No

Gonzalez has a chance to be taken in the draft but his lack of athleticism pushes him to undrafted free agent territory. He’s an accomplished guard with power and intelligence that should keep him in the NFL for a long time, even if it’s just as a journeyman offensive lineman.

Going undrafted would likely suit Gonzalez, because it would allow him to choose a destination with a lack of guard depth.