Penn State mock draft roundup: Where former Nittany Lions are projected to go in 2022 NFL Draft

STATE COLLEGE — The 2022 NFL Combine is less than a week away, and over a couple days of testing and interviews in Indianapolis, the fates of a number of professional prospects could be altered for the 2022 NFL Draft.

Penn State will be represented at the combine by eight players who have the potential to boost their stock significantly in a number of areas. Former Nittany Lions traditionally test well in the combine and pro day environments, so it’ll be worth keeping an eye on the eight in Indianapolis.

After the combine, the draft board tends to change, sometimes drastically. So we’re going to round up where former Penn State players land in mock drafts ahead of the 2022 NFL Combine. In a couple weeks, we’ll look at how — or if — things have changed in projections for the 2022 NFL Draft.

Jahan Dotson

Todd McShay, ESPN: No. 30 to Kansas City Chiefs

McShay’s take: “The Chiefs will still have Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman and Travis Kelce next year, but quarterback Patrick Mahomes thrives on distributing the football. Byron Pringle and Demarcus Robinson are headed toward free agency. Dotson is lightning quick in and out of his breaks, and despite a 5-foot-11 frame, he can pluck on the run and produce after the catch. He’d be a great possession receiver for Mahomes after catching 91 passes in 2021, including at least five in 11 of 12 games. Dotson would be the sixth receiver here, and it’d be the third straight class of at least five first-rounders. That has never been done.”

My take: The record-setting wide receiver in an offense with Mahomes, Hill, Kelce and the rest would be a ton of fun. We saw what Dotson could do when he was a No. 1 option with plenty of focus on him in 2021. As a complementary piece, Dotson could be an impact player for the Chiefs. This might be the most “fun” fit of any projection in this roundup.

Damian Parson, The Draft Network: No. 32 to Detroit Lions

Parson’s take: “The emergence of Amon-Ra St. Brown was a surprise to some, but not for those of us here at TDN. This offense is still lacking perimeter playmakers, however. Jahan Dotson adds quickness to defeat CBs in press. He can stretch a defense vertically and horizontally. He’s alignment-versatile, which pairs well with St. Brown, T.J. Hockenson, and D’Andre Swift.”

My take: The Lions seem to be slowly but surely adding talent to their offense at the skill spots. Whether Jared Goff has what it takes to be Detroit’s quarterback of the future remains to be seen, but Dotson could make life easier for the rest of the offensive players on the Detroit roster.

Chad Reuter, NFL Media: No. 33 to Jacksonville Jaguars

My take: Dotson would be a solid option for former No. 1 pick Trevor Lawrence, who spent his rookie season throwing to the likes of Marvin Jones, Laviska Shenault and Laquon Treadwell. Dotson could help upgrade the position immediately in new coach Doug Pederson’s first season.

James Fragoza, Pro Football Network: No. 34 to Detroit Lions

My take: Dotson and the Lions have been linked plenty during the pre-draft process. It might come down to whether Detroit snags him at the first opportunity or if it tries to wait.

Austin Gayle, PFF: No. 35 to Houston Texans

My take: Who knows what direction the Texans are going in, and who knows who their quarterback will be. There’s still a chance for production, after Brandin Cooks quietly put up 90 catches for 1,037 yards and six touchdowns and Nico Collins caught 33 passes for 446 yards and a score in his rookie season. Dotson has shown he can produce no matter what the quarterback situation is, but Houston’s situation feels like one to avoid.

Arnold Ebiketie

Austin Gayle, PFF: No. 42 to Seattle Seahawks

My take: Seattle’s leading sack-getters in 2021 were Carlos Dunlap (8.5), Rasheem Green (6.5) and Darrell Taylor (6.5). Ebiketie would add some chaos off the edge for the Seahawks. He’s someone who could boost his stock significantly at the combine.

Chad Reuter, NFL Media: No. 44 to Cleveland Browns

My take: Cleveland has one of the NFL’s top pass rushers locked up in Myles Garrett (16 sacks in 2021), but the Browns have been searching for the right player to pair across from him. Jadeveon Clowney had nine sacks in 2021, but he’s set to hit free agency. Could Ebiketie help form a fearsome pass-rushing tandem?

Jaquan Brisker

Chad Reuter, NFL Media: No. 49 to New Orleans Saints

My take: The Saints are undergoing a bit of a transition this offseason with longtime defensive coordinator Dennis Allen taking over for Sean Payton as coach, and Brisker would be a solid, reliable addition on the back end for the next era of New Orleans football.

Austin Gayle, PFF: No. 51 to Philadelphia Eagles

James Fragoza, Pro Football Network: No. 51 to Philadelphia Eagles

My take: The back end of the Eagles defense needs to get younger. Rodney McLeod turns 32 this summer, and 30-year-old Anthony Harris was on a one-year deal. Brisker is a playmaker, and he could help jolt a secondary that is also looking to get a bit younger at cornerback, too.

Tariq Castro-Fields

Chad Reuter, NFL Media: No. 61 to San Francisco 49ers

My take: Well, this is a bit of a surprise. I pegged Castro-Fields as a Day 3 prospect, but Reuter has the long cornerback going in the second round. The physical tools are there — Castro-Fields’ combine will be interesting to watch — but it didn’t square with the tape sometimes.

Brandon Smith

Chad Reuter, NFL Media: No. 100 to Baltimore Ravens

My take: Reuter has Smith as a compensatory pick at the end of the third round. After the combine, I think he’ll be in the high second-round conversation. But given Baltimore’s tradition of developing linebackers, even with some of the changes happening on that side of the ball this offseason, this feels like one of those picks that would just work out.

Notable mock drafts with no Penn State players going in Round 1: Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Media; Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports; Cam Mellor, Pro Football Network; Kyle Stackpole, CBS Sports.