Penn State mock draft roundup: Where are Nittany Lions projected to land?
The 2026 NFL Draft is one week away, which means analysts are beginning to dial in their mock drafts. And with several Nittany Lions projected to go on the first few days of the draft, that means Penn State has been featured in many of these mocks.
Let’s take a look at the Nittany Lions projected to go in the first four rounds of this year’s draft.
G Vega Ioane
Tom Fornelli, CBS Sports, Fran Duffy, ALLCITY, and Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN: Pittsburgh Steelers, Round 1, Pick 21 overall
This is the most common landing spot for Ioane, and it makes a lot of sense — assuming he’s on the board. Ioane is a road-grading guard, who can also excel protecting either an old quarterback like Aaron Rodgers or a young signal caller the Steelers take. He’d step in right away as a starter for Pittsburgh and be one of the best offensive linemen on the roster.
Dane Brugler, The Athletic: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Round 1, Pick 15 overall
The Buccaneers aren’t desperate for interior help on the offensive line, which means this would be a best player available pick — which Ioane very well could be on draft night. He’d start at left guard right away for an offensive that should once again be one of the most explosive in the NFL.
Nate Tice and Charles McDonald, Yahoo Sports: New York Jets, Round 1, Pick 16 overall
The Jets need help in a lot of places on offense, but it can’t help to improve an offensive line that is already young and improving. Ioane could step in and play alongside former Penn State teammate Olu Fashanu, who appears to be locked in as the team’s future at left tackle.
EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton
Dane Brugler, The Athletic: Green Bay Packers, Round 2, Pick 52 overall
Dennis-Sutton would be Green Bay’s first pick in the draft if this is how it played out after it traded this year’s first as part of a package for former Nittany Lion Micah Parsons. Dennis-Sutton has the type of size, speed and strength the Packers look for in defensive players and would fit well in Jonathan Gannon’s defense, which relies on the front four to get pressure.
Fran Duffy, ALLCITY: Philadelphia Eagles, Round 2, Pick 54 overall
Dennis-Sutton would have a path to a long-term starting role in Philadelphia, with Nolan Smith’s long-term future to be determined. He’d likely rotate in for the Eagles in year one, then potentially start at defensive end opposite Jalyx Hunt down the road if Smith proves to be too expensive to retain on a defense that is about to become very expensive. Of note, Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN did not have Dennis-Sutton going in his two-round mock draft.
S Zakee Wheatley
Dane Brugler, The Athletic: Philadelphia Eagles, Round 3, Pick 98 overall
Wheatley’s versatility would allow him to excel in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s scheme, with him having a chance to start at safety right away next to Andrew Mukuba.
QB Drew Allar
Dane Brugler, The Athletic: New York Jets, Round 4, Pick 103 overall
This would be quite the situation for Allar to walk into. He’d sit behind Geno Smith, in all likelihood, for a year before being in position to take over as the starter. Jets’ offensive coordinator Frank Reich has done well with quarterbacks in the past, but this is not exactly the kind of system that would allow Allar to develop behind the scenes — especially if Smith were to struggle early in 2026.
RB Nick Singleton
Dane Brugler, The Athletic: New York Jets, Round 4, Pick 140 overall
Brugler has Singleton landing in the backfield next to Allar, with both likely starting their careers as backups before having a chance to take over as a starter. Singleton should contribute in the passing game right away, and will need to improve his vision if he wants to be a three-down back in the NFL.
