In Mel Kiper’s updated NFL mock draft that came out on Wednesday, he projects three former Penn State players to go in the first two rounds. Kiper has edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie, wide receiver Jahan Dotson, and safety Jaquan Brisker going in the first 64 picks.
He has Ebiketie going to the Dallas Cowboys at pick No. 24 in the first round, Dotson going to the Tennessee Titans at pick No. 26 in the first round, and Kiper has Brisker being selected in the second round at No. 37 overall to the Houston Texans.
Ebiketie earned first-team Al-Big-Ten honors after transferring from Temple as a graduate transfer. He recorded 9.5 sacks in 2021, the most by a Nittany Lion since 2015, when Carl Nassib had 15 sacks. He would fill the need left by Randy Gregory, who departed in free agency for the Denver Broncos. Dallas would also like to strike gold on another Penn State defensive standout like when they hit a home run on Micah Parsons in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Dotson would fill a need in providing depth to the Titans and gives him a compliment opposite A.J. Brown with his consistent ability to separate from defenders and get open on short, intermediate, and deep routes. If he gets selected in the first round, he would be the first Nittany Lion wide receiver to do so when Bryant Johnson got selected in the first round by the Arizona Cardinals.
Brisker would be an ideal fit for the Texans because he can provide character, versatility, and leadership on a team that desperately needs it. Brisker went from playing junior college at Lackawanna College to becoming an All-American safety a Penn State by recording 64 tackles.
The last time Penn State had multiple players go in the first round in back-to-back drafts was in 1995-1996, and the last time that they had three players go in the top 40 was in 2003. That draft defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy went 12th overall to the St. Louis Rams, Michael Haynes went 14th overall to the Chicago Bears, Johnson went to the Cardinals a 17th overall, and Larry Johnson went to the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 27 overall.
The NFL Draft will take place from April 28-30 in Las Vegas and will be airing on ESPN and ABC.
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