Penn State OL Juice Scruggs taking off as a ‘riser’ in the 2023 NFL draft class

Juice Scruggs made a prediction after pro day. Penn State’s stalwart offensive lineman said he will be selected in the second or third round of next month’s NFL Draft.

That’s not where the draft community has him pegged. Scruggs said he’s seen mostly fifth- or sixth-round projections, which tracks. ESPN’s Jordan Reid recently posted a seven-round mock draft in which Scruggs went No. 187 overall.

But the way things are trending, Scruggs might start to see those sixth-round projections be replaced by fourth- or even third-round grades.

Scruggs, a versatile All-Big Ten interior offensive lineman with experience at guard and center, is viewed as a “riser in the class.” Ryan Fowler, an analyst with The Draft Network, wrote that his name has been “buzzing inside league circles.”

“I’m just trying to take it day by day and enjoy the process. You only go through this once. So I’m just soaking it in,” Scruggs said after pro day. “… It’s been a dream to reality.”

Scruggs, a two-year starter, said six teams in particular have shown “a lot of interest” in him recently: the Steelers, Dolphins, 49ers, Panthers, Giants and Bears. Scruggs was seen chatting with Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel at pro day. Miami also sent general manager Chris Grier and offensive coordinator Frank Smith.

Scruggs formally met with the Dolphins and 49ers earlier this month at the NFL Combine, where he measured and tested well. Scruggs went to Indianapolis as a fringe Day 3 prospect but solidified his standing at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Scruggs’ stock continued to surge around pro day. The night before he turned in an impressive performance, Scruggs had dinner with the Chicago Bears’ traveling party, according to Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline. Bears general manager Ryan Poles was in attendance, which is a good sign for Scruggs.

Pauline wrote that “right now it seems unlikely” that Scruggs will fall any further than Chicago’s pick to open the fourth round at No. 103 overall.

The Bears have a need at interior offensive line, but so do a lot of teams. Scruggs’ ability to play center and guard is invaluable for his chances of making a roster and for teams looking for flexibility up front now and in the future.

“I haven’t really gotten a clear explanation of where they want me,” Scruggs said, when asked if he’ll play guard or center in the NFL. If it was his choice, it would be center. “But when it comes down to it, wherever they want me to go is where I’ll go.”

“They’re gonna get a guy who’s going to come in and work,” he added later. “I’m going to come in and work my (butt) off. I’m going to do what I can do to help a team win. That’s all that I can do, and that’s all that should matter to an organization.”

At this point, Scruggs just wants to land with a team. It doesn’t matter what position he plays. And even though his stock is on the upswing, it doesn’t matter a whole lot to Scruggs which round he goes in.

“As long as I get my foot in the door,” he said.

Scruggs should have no problem with that.