How many Penn State players will go in the 2024 NFL Draft? Early mocks offer some interesting guesses

Penn State football just sent six of its former stars to the pros during the 2023 NFL Draft. The Nittany Lions did so despite not having a single first-round selection, which was not expected entering the three-day selection process in Kansas City, Mo.

Now that it’s in the books, the media mock draft community is already turning its eye toward next year’s Draft. That’s true even if the players who were just picked are mostly still traveling to their new city. How many former Lions could go in 2024? Let’s take a look at the earliest projections.

Penn State should not get shut out of the first round again

In the months leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft, it felt like a foregone conclusion that Joey Porter Jr., would end Penn State’s drought of never having a defensive back taken in Round 1. However, in the days just before it, the 2022 second-team All-American cornerback slid down some top prospect listings. It led some to wonder if he would not go until Day 2. And, he didn’t. The Pittsburgh Steelers made him the first player off the board on Friday. It took him with the No. 32 overall selection to lead off Round 2.

Don’t expect Penn State to get shut out of the first round of next year’s draft, though. Most media mock drafts see the Lions having not one but two, and maybe even three, Day 1 selections next year.

USA TODAY projects left tackle Olu Fashanu as the No. 3 overall pick. It has cornerback Kalen King as the No. 17 overall selection.

Pro Football Focus sees Fashanu going No. 6, King No. 15, and defensive end Chop Robinson No. 19.

Sporting News sees just one Penn State player going in next year’s first round: Fashanu at No. 12.

At The Draft Network, Fashanu is considered the No. 4 overall pick, while Robinson No. 17.

King and Fashanu are already receiving praise from scouts

On3 national college football reporter Matt Zenitz put two Penn State players on his list of 20 possible 2024 first-round NFL Draft picks based on the early word from NFL scouting sources.

Fashanus is on the list, as is King.

“[Fashanu] is not an elite athlete, but he’s 20 years old (as of December) and he’s really strong,” a scouting source told Zenitz. “He can anchor. And he’s got a really strong grip.”

Which other Nittany Lions could go in next year’s draft?

The record for the highest number of Penn State players drafted in the James Franklin era is eight back in 2022. It could be broken during the 2024 NFL Draft.

Fashanu, King, and Robinson are guaranteed to be drafted. End Adisa Isaac will hear his name called. Cornerback Johnny Dixon and tight end Theo Johnson should, too. If he can step into the leading receiver role for the Lions, KeAndre Lambert-Smith will go off the board before the end of Round 7, too. Linebacker Curtis Jacobs seems like a shoo-in to be selected.

Then, there is a bubble group of players who will need to earn it on the field this fall. In our mind, it includes tight end Tyler Warren, tackle Caedan Wallace, center Hunter Nourzad, guard Sal Wormley, safety Keaton Ellis, and cornerback Daequan Hardy.

All told, Penn State expects to be at top-10 team in 2023. If it plays up that level, it will send many players to the pros during the 2024 NFL Draft.

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