2024 NFL mock draft: Where all 10 Penn State football prospects are projected to land (2024)

Penn State football has the opportunity to produce its largest NFL Draft class in 28 years.

There are 10 Nittany Lions who have been repeatedly mentioned in various NFL analyst projections and "mock drafts" leading to Thursday night's opening round.

That 10-member class in 1996 featured first-round offensive linemen Jeff Hartings and Andre Johnson and longtime NFL receiver Bobby Engram. The Lions' largest draft class since came in 2022 (eight players), led by receiver Jahan Dotson.

At least one recent major mock draft predicts all 10 Lions to be chosen among the 257 picks in three days, April 25-27, in Detroit.

Here are the best fits for the top Penn State players in the NFL draft:

OT Olu Fashanu to the New Orleans Saints in 1st round

2024 NFL mock draft: Where all 10 Penn State football prospects are projected to land (1)

An early draft run on quarterbacks and receivers could push Olu Fashanu out of the Top 10. Perfect for New Orleans, who appears the best fit according to mock drafts from CBS Sports and others. The Saints need immediate help at both tackle spots. While Fashanu is still a bit raw (only two seasons starting at Penn State), his potential and work ethic make him on of the safest early choices at any position.

DE Chop Robinson to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Detroit Lions in 1st round

2024 NFL mock draft: Where all 10 Penn State football prospects are projected to land (2)

Forget the lack of pass-rush numbers and production (much like former Nittany Lion rusher Odafe Oweh in 2021).

Chop Robinson owns the super-elite speed and explosion traits that could make him an immediate force on the edge. The Bucs need help there and may not be able to pass up his unpolished but extraordinary potential.

Otherwise, the Lions likely will take him, according to mock drafts like The Sporting News. They'd pair Robinson with defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, giving them arguably the top under-25 pass-rush duo in the league.

DE Adisa Isaac to the Philadelphia Eagles or Washington Commanders in 2nd round

2024 NFL mock draft: Where all 10 Penn State football prospects are projected to land (3)

What Adisa Isaac lacks of Chop Robinson's flash and explosive speed, he makes up for balance, play-strength and consistency off the edge. He's who led the Lions and tied for second in the Big Ten with 7.5 sacks in 2023.

The Commanders need help here after losing Chase Young, Montrez Sweat and former Nittany Lion Shaka Toney and could reach early for Isaac, according to mocks like the group effort at 247Sports.

TE Theo Johnson to the Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers or Washington Commanders in 3rd round

2024 NFL mock draft: Where all 10 Penn State football prospects are projected to land (4)

Theo Johnson owns rare size-speed-athleticism traits for his position which can make him a mismatch for NFL defenses. He must improve his blocking to median-NFL levels to ensure early, extended playing time.

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The Commanders need to develop a new starter here behind aging Zach Ertz. If they don't pick him, the Houston Texans are a good bet a bit later, according to NFL.com's seven-round projections.

CB Kalen King to the Pittsburgh Steelers or New Orleans Saints in 4th round or Philadelphia Eagles in 5th round

2024 NFL mock draft: Where all 10 Penn State football prospects are projected to land (5)

Kalen King's projections vary more than most anyone, linked to his lack of on-field production in 2023 and his ensuing struggles on the postseason all-star game and workout circuits. Predictions range from the third to the sixth round.

Still, there's talent to mine here and the Steelers could view him as a possible counterpart to their Penn State cornerback choice from a year ago, Joey Porter, Jr. King also could add immediate value on special teams.

OL Hunter Nourzad to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 4th round or Buffalo Bills or Denver Broncos in 5th round

One of the most versatile (started at three positions) and intelligent (engineering degree, Cornell) offensive linemen in the draft.

The Ivy League transfer might even be higher here if a fibula injury had not kept him from testing and working out for teams this winter. No matter, the Steelers, among others, need proven interior line help, even if they must wait a bit to reap the rewards.

OL Caedan Wallace to the New York Giants or Buffalo Bills in 4th round or San Francisco 49ers in 5th round

Caedan Wallace finally meshed consistency with his impressive talents as a Penn State senior − then added impressive NFL team workouts this winter. He's one of the biggest, late risers in some draft projections that have him going anywhere from the third to sixth rounds.

LB Curtis Jacobs to the Houston Texans in 4th round or Philadelphia Eagles or Kansas City Chiefs in 5th round

2024 NFL mock draft: Where all 10 Penn State football prospects are projected to land (6)

Another impressively versatile performer, Curtis Jacobs adds high-level athletic traits to the ability to play multiple linebacker spots and special teams. Despite lacking elite pursuit speed, he increased his big-play production as a Penn State senior, a potentially important "tell" for his future.

He is alluring to teams in need of a linebacking rebuild (Eagles) or those simply wanting to employ a multi-dimensional defender across the field (Chiefs).

CB Daequan Hardy to the Buffalo Bills in 6th round or Dallas Cowboys in 6th or 7th rounds

2024 NFL mock draft: Where all 10 Penn State football prospects are projected to land (7)

Daequan Hardy's impressive offerings as a multi-use cornerback and special teams' returner won't be valued higher because of his lack of size (5-foot-11) and breakneck speed.

Then again, he's been an undervalued, do-everything performer since his high school days at Penn Hills. He's used to surprising, to proving doubters wrong.

A team like Dallas could use him exclusively as a special-teamer to start and earn plenty of immediate value for this late pick.

CB Johnny Dixon to the Houston Texans or Las Vegas Raiders in 6th round or undrafted free agent

Johnny Dixon certainly would be slated higher if he had played (and performed well) in Penn State's Peach Bowl and not had nearly his entire winter washed away by injury. NFL teams haven't been able to verify the skills that made him a unique, two-year cornerback at Penn State − an ultra-aggressive, physical defender with a penchant for sacking the quarterback.

Frank Bodani covers Penn State sports for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: NFL mock draft roundup: Penn State football prospect projections

2024 NFL mock draft: Where all 10 Penn State football prospects are projected to land (2024)
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