Where will former Nittany Lions go in the 2022 NFL Draft? Here’s a look at projections
Penn State football has three former players earning projections in the first two rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft, with two finding their way into the first round of some mock drafts.
Wide receiver Jahan Dotson and EDGE Arnold Ebiketie are currently projected to go in the back end of the first round while safety Jaquan Brisker is projected to go near the top of the second round.
Let’s take a look at some of the current projections and potential fits for the former Nittany Lions.
WR Jahan Dotson
No. 20 to the Pittsburgh Steelers
Dotson would have the opportunity to stay in-state to start his NFL career in this scenario, but who would be throwing him the ball would be a major question. The Steelers are in need of a franchise quarterback after longtime starter Ben Roethlisberger retired following the 2021 season.
The team’s current solution is former Chicago Bears’ starting quarterback Mitch Trubisky, who spent last year in Buffalo as a backup. Dotson would be fighting for targets with Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool at wide receiver, along with former teammate Pat Freiermuth at tight end.
Buffalo would give Dotson an opportunity to step into one of the best offenses in the NFL almost immediately. He would pair with star wide receiver Stefon Diggs to form a duo of players that can perform on the outside and from the slot. The attention Diggs draws could open up the field for Dotson early in his career.
Not to mention, star quarterback Josh Allen is already one of the league’s best signal callers and would be able to get Dotson the ball down the field and find him when plays break down.
The final destination projected for Dotson would be one that would allow him to grow with his teammates. The quarterback situation seems set for the 2022 season in Detroit, but very much in the air after it. Jared Goff is set to start for a second year in a row with the Lions but doesn’t have the type of upside teams usually covet at the position.
If Dotson ended up in Detroit, he could be catching passes from Goff this season before growing a relationship with a young quarterback during the 2023 season.
EDGE Arnold Ebiketie
No. 31 to the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati isn’t in need of much immediate help at defensive end, where Ebiketie would slot in, with Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard locking down both spots on the edge of the defensive line. He could be used as a situational pass rusher early on in his career until Hubbard or Hendrickson moves on.
That would allow Ebiketie to flourish where he excels as a pass rusher, while growing into a more all around player and improving his ability to play the run.
The Lions are still in the beginning of a rebuild, so building along the defensive line could help set the stage for a good defense down the road. Ebiketie would likely step into a more immediate role and have to learn on the job more than he would in a place like Cincinnati.
With that being said, his pass rushing skills would greatly benefit the Lions right away and give him a chance to produce early on in his career.
Ebiketie would have a chance to play early in New York, much as he would in Detroit. While the Lions are fully in a rebuild, however, the Giants are in a different situation. They have a young quarterback and high level offensive talent — which includes former Penn State star running back Saquon Barkley — but replaced both their head coach and general manager this offseason.
The former Nittany Lion defensive end would be able to pin his ears back and rush the passer as a true EDGE in Don Martindale’s 3-4 defensive scheme. That chance to operate as a stand up pass rusher could be beneficial for Ebiketie.
S Jaquan Brisker
No. 33 to the Jacksonville Jaguars
Brisker was only projected to be taken in the mock draft that went beyond one round, and landing in Jacksonville could be a mixed bag. He would be able to step in right away and help the Jaguars create a more beneficial culture as a leader on a team that just endured a tumultuous Urban Meyer-led 2021 season.
However, the opportunity to win would not be there right away for a player more than capable of contributing to a good defense early in his NFL career.
