The NFL Draft begins Thursday. Here’s the latest on where former Penn State players could go
Multiple former Penn State players are just a few days away from hearing their names called during the 2023 NFL Draft.
Mocks have begun to take their final shape before the draft begins Thursday.
Let’s take a look at some of the current landing spots and potential fits for former Nittany Lions.
CB Joey Porter Jr.
No. 14 to the New England Patriots
This is starting to look like close to the ceiling for Porter in the first round. The Patriots are in need of a corner but there seems to be some momentum behind Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks as the third corner off the board over the Nittany Lion. If the Patriots end up going with Porter, he should step in right away as a starter.
No. 20 to the Seattle Seahawks
There isn’t a better fit in the NFL for Porter than Seattle. He fits the exact prototype of cornerback that has excelled with the Seahawks since Pete Carroll took over as head coach. Much like former corners Richard Sherman, Byron Maxwell and Brandon Browner, Porter is long, athletic and physical, beating opponents up off the line of scrimmage and preventing them from getting a clean release at the snap.
No. 21 to the Los Angeles Chargers
This would be a peculiar spot for Porter. He wouldn’t start over Asante Samuel Jr. and it would mean the team has given up on J.C. Jackson just one year into a five-year $82 million deal. Or it would mean Porter would have to sit for his first year or until the wheels came off with Jackson. Still, it’s hard to see the Chargers putting first round equity into the cornerback position right now.
TE Brenton Strange
Strange continues rising up boards and it seems like he’s going to hear his name called on the second day of the draft. This landing spot would have him replacing another former Nittany Lion — Mike Gesicki — who left the Dolphins for the New England Patriots in free agency. Strange would provide a physical receiving presence for a team that can gash opponents downfield with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle at wide receiver.
S Ji’Ayir Brown
No. 94 to the Philadelphia Eagles
This is the dream scenario for Brown’s mom, Joy Ingram, who is an Eagles fan according to her son. It’s also an ideal fit for both the team and the player, with the Eagles losing both of their starting safeties in free agency and not having either spot currently locked down. He could step in quickly and establish himself as a starter.
No. 115 to the New Orleans Saints
Brown could help New Orleans create some depth at safety behind Tyrann Mathieu and Marcus Maye, and could eventually be a replacement down the line if he impresses during practice and the preseason. Still, if he’s in search of immediate playing time, this is not a great landing spot.
C Juice Scruggs
Going this early in the fourth round would bode well for Scruggs’ chances of making the roster out of the preseason. He’s been projected later in the third day, but the earlier you go the more likelier you are to make it just because of the level of pick equity the team has invested. Houston would be an opportunity for Scruggs to start out as a backup on the interior with the upside to eventually start at center.
WR Parker Washington
No. 149 to the Green Bay Packers
It’s no secret that Green Bay is still in need of wide receivers and Washington could be the type of versatile weapon that has eluded the Packers in recent years. He can go in motion to force defenses to adjust while having enough of a catch radius and strength to play on the outside when he has to. This would be a good spot for him given the team’s switch to Jordan Love at quarterback and the opportunity to grow with him, rather than bending over backward to earn Aaron Rodgers’ trust.
This story was originally published April 26, 2023 at 9:48 AM.
