Penn State football: Where we think former Nittany Lions will go in the 2023 NFL Draft

The 2023 NFL Draft begins later this week and many former Penn State football players are set to go across the three day event.

From Joey Porter Jr. to Juice Scruggs, we project where each of the former Nittany Lions will land to begin their NFL careers.

CB Joey Porter Jr.

Jon Sauber: Round 1, No. 16 overall, Washington Commanders

Porter seems like he’s going to end up somewhere in the mid-to-late first round, so this may be near the ceiling. There are a run of teams from picks 16-23 that could all have higher levels of interest in the corner, but the Commanders are in need of a true No. 1 cornerback. Porter has that type of upside and there’s little doubt in his ability to step into the NFL early and at the very least be a strong contributor.

Josh Moyer: Round 1, No. 22 overall, Baltimore Ravens

Sorry, Steelers fans. It’s clear Baltimore is interested in the cornerback and, with a CB-heavy draft class, it’s possible the Nittany Lion goes just outside the top 20. “He’s Joey Porter Sr. in DB form,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said earlier this month. Porter’s great at the press and could match up well against bigger receivers, but he’ll also get called for his fair share of DPIs at the top of route stems. I think the Steelers pass on him — only to watch their division rivals scoop him up.

Bret Pallotto: Round 1, No. 20 overall, Seattle Seahawks

It’s unlikely evaluators oohed and aahed at Porter Jr.’s pre-draft test results. His 40-yard dash, broad jump and bench press were passable yet unremarkable. At 6-foot-2 with a wingspan more than five inches larger than average for cornerbacks, his size is his best trait. Good luck convincing yourself he doesn’t sound like a Seattle Seahawk already.

TE Brenton Strange

Sauber: Round 3, No. 85 overall, Los Angeles Chargers

There has been more and more buzz that Strange could hear his name called on the second day of the draft. While there’s a chance he sneaks into the second round, that’s still too rich for me given how deep the tight end class is this year. Still, going to Los Angeles should give Strange the chance to start early in his NFL career thanks to his ability as a pass-catcher and his improving knack for blocking.

Moyer: Round 3, No. 99 overall, San Francisco 49ers

Strange never boasted incredible production or great numbers at the NFL Combine, but he’s a versatile tight end who takes pride in blocking. And that’s why multiple outlets — from ESPN to The Athletic — believe the 49ers and Strange would be a perfect match. It’s hard for me to disagree. So this isn’t an original pick, but it’s most definitely one I endorse. It seems more and more likely that Strange won’t escape the third round, and San Francisco seems like a prime landing spot.

Pallotto: Round 3, No. 102 overall, San Francisco 49ers

At 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, Strange has standard size for a tight end. He ran a decent 4.7-second 40-yard dash and his wingspan is the smallest among the top tight ends, but he can be an effective blocker and has one of the highest yards after the catch averages among the class. The 49ers haven’t used a Day 1 or 2 pick on a tight end since 2013, but this could be the year for a team that has three of the last four picks in the third round.

S Ji’Ayir Brown

Sauber: Round 3, No. 94 overall, Philadelphia Eagles

I’m a firm believer in Brown being a long-term starting safety in the NFL, with the upside to be even better. Yes, the athleticism isn’t great, but he plays the game two steps ahead of his opponents to make up for it. The Eagles have a need at safety after losing starters Marcus Epps and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson in free agency and Brown could quickly help fill one of those spots as a starter.

Moyer: Round 3, No. 102 overall, San Francisco 49ers

With free safety Jimmie Ward signing a two-year deal with Houston, the 49ers could use some help here. And Brown recently had a top-30 pre-draft visit with San Francisco, meaning there’s clearly some interest. Other possible landing spots include New York, Green Bay and Cincinnati.

Pallotto: Round 4, No. 112 overall, New York Jets

Brown didn’t test well, but his production can’t be ignored. He started every game the past two years and is the only player in the draft class with double-digit interceptions in that time frame. Safety looks like one of the Jets’ biggest weaknesses, and Brown’s versatility could be a match for coach Robert Saleh’s defense.

WR Parker Washington

Sauber: Round 5, No. 166 overall, Kansas City Chiefs

Washington is an interesting case. He was never overly productive, but has all of the tools to be a successful NFL wide receiver. Teams should resist the urge to move him to running back because of his size and let him play on the outside where one of his strengths — his impressive catch radius — would be more easily utilized. Kansas City loves receivers who can be used in multiple ways and if there’s an urge to get Washington carries or use him in the backfield, it should be in creative situations like Kansas City head coach Andy Reid would surely scheme up.

Moyer: Round 4, No. 106 overall, Indianapolis Colts

ESPN analyst Todd McShay recently noted that Washington “could go earlier than expected” due to some teams’ interest in him as a receiving back. And that’s why I like Indianapolis: Washington could play in the slot with Parris Campbell moving on to the New York Giants, or he could potentially battle with Deon Jackson as a receiving option out of the backfield. (Hey, Jonathan Taylor needs to take a breather at some point.) Washington is a wild card.

Pallotto: Round 6, No. 201 overall, Houston Texans

The wide receiver that’s built like a running back generally draws praise for his toughness and instincts. His best work could come in the slot. If the pick were to happen, Washington would be only the second Nittany Lion to be drafted in Texans’ history.

C Juice Scruggs

Sauber: Round 6, No. 213 overall, Arizona Cardinals

Versatility becomes more and more important as you get deeper into the NFL Draft and that should help Scruggs hear his name get called. He can play guard and center thanks to his size, length and experience. He should be able to make a roster wherever he ends up, but Arizona presents a good opportunity for him to play relatively early because of the team’s interior issues on the offensive line.

Moyer: Round 6, No. 190 overall, Cleveland Browns

Cleveland has shown a decent amount of interest in Scruggs, who’s widely regarded as a Day 3 pick. They used a top-30 pre-draft visit on him and met with him at the NFL combine. He can play center or guard, and that versatility is going to ensure he’ll be taken before the final round. I wouldn’t be surprised if he went a round earlier than I projected, in the fifth, but the sixth round seems like the most likely spot to me.

Pallotto: Round 5, No. 136 overall, Chicago Bears

A two-year starter and captain with experience at guard and center, Scruggs has the potential to go from backup to starter with enough development.

Who’s the most likely other Nittany Lion to get drafted?

Sauber: WR Mitch Tinsley

This came down to Tinsley and PJ Mustipher, but I’ll go with the former because of his position. Mustipher is a nose tackle and that lowers his value on draft boards. I don’t think Tinsley will get drafted, but it’s also not hard to imagine a team thinking it can get even more out of the Nittany Lion wide receiver. He has good size, strength and hands but isn’t a great athlete. There’s a role for players like Tinsley in the NFL, but he’ll need to contribute on special teams early on.

Moyer: DT PJ Mustipher

Well, it’s definitely not QB Sean Clifford. I think it’s unlikely that Mustipher is drafted, too, but I think he’s got the best shot out of the rest. (He’s a fringe seventh-round pick who’s likely a priority free agent.) He never quite lived up to expectations after a season-ending injury in 2021. Still, he boasts the necessary size at 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds to compete at the next level. And, at worst, he’ll be given a chance to make some team’s 53-man roster.

Pallotto: WR Mitch Tinsley

Tinsley had to learn five different offenses at three different stops during his five years in college. His penultimate year featured 1,402 yards and 14 TDs at Western Kentucky. He’s not the tallest (6-foot) or the fastest (4.6 40-yard dash) and has marginal special teams experience, but he could carve out a role.