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Penn State football is on a first-round NFL Draft run.
How, exactly, will it continue tonight in Green Bay?
Defensive end Abdul Carter and tight end Tyler Warren almost certainly will be chosen in the first 20 picks during the opening round of this 2025 NFL Draft. Carter is expected to be one of the first five draft choices; Warren's destination is more far-ranging.
Still, they will be the Nittany Lions' sixth and seventh first-round picks in the past five years. The others: Micah Parsons (12th) and Odafe Oweh (31st) in 2021, Jahan Dotson (16th) in 2022 and Olu Fashanu (11th) and Chop Robinson (21st) last year.
The Lions featured a program-best four first-rounders in 2003: Jimmy Kennedy, Michael Haynes, Bryant Johnson and Larry Johnson Jr.
Here are the best fits for the top Penn State players in this NFL draft:
Carter will be Penn State's highest draft choice since running back Saquon Barkley went third, overall, to the New York Giants in 2018.
Carter seems likely to duplicate the pick and the team.
While he would be a dynamic No. 2 selection for the Cleveland Browns, pairing him with pass rushing star Myles Garrett, the Browns seem more likely to go with a quarterback or Colorado receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter.
Carter could be considered the top talent available when New York picks.
While Warren could go as high as seventh to the New York Jets, according to NFL draft experts, it seems more likely that he drops, at least a bit. Is a tight end, no matter how versatile, that valuable in the first round? The Chicago Bears seem to think so Bet on them taking Warren at No. 10 if he's still available.
He could be an immediate difference-maker for Bears' quarterback Caleb Williams and new head coach Ben Johnson, one of the top offensive minds in the league. Johnson helped tight end Sam LaPorta flourish in Detroit, and Warren is an even better prospect.
KJ Winston offers too much promise as a downhill tackler and athletic playmaker to pass up on Day Two, no matter that he missed nearly all of last season to injury. Winston proved his legs by running a 4.50 40-yard dash at Penn State's Pro Day in late March, which will be enough to convince a team like the Carolina Panthers to make him their second-round pick.
The Panthers desperately need safety help and Winston, an expected All-American before his knee injury, could be a draft steal with the 57th pick. The Philadelphia Eagles, for one, would be favored to take him at the end of the second round, if he lasts that long.
Jaylen Reed is somewhat of a draft curiosity. His tackling expertise around scrimmage and big-play ability in the back-end compare favorably to former teammate KJ Winston. That means Reed could be suited as a Day Two, third-round selection.
Then again, do NFL teams truly grade his instincts and athleticism that highly? More predictions call for Reed to wait until at least the fifth round to be chosen, and the Pittsburgh Steelers would do well to take him at No. 156 overall.
Kobe King is one of the draft's most reliable performers. The inside linebacker is a standout tackler and enforcer around scrimmage and figures to only grow in the pros.
While those qualities ensure he will be drafted, limited athleticism and speed cause concerns in pass coverage and may keep him from going any higher than the fifth or sixth rounds. His skills and physicality fit the Baltimore Ravens, who could land him with the final pick of the fifth round.
Five Nittany Lions will be straddling the line between being a sixth or seventh round draft pick or signing as an undrafted free agent.
They are cornerback Jalen Kimber, offensive lineman Sal Wormley, defensive end Amin Vanover and defensive tackles Dvon J-Thomas and Coziah Izzard. Kimber, who impressed with a hot 40-yard time at Penn State's Pro Day, seems the most likely to go first.
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: NFL mock draft 2025: Penn State football prospects projections
Continue reading...
How, exactly, will it continue tonight in Green Bay?
Defensive end Abdul Carter and tight end Tyler Warren almost certainly will be chosen in the first 20 picks during the opening round of this 2025 NFL Draft. Carter is expected to be one of the first five draft choices; Warren's destination is more far-ranging.
Still, they will be the Nittany Lions' sixth and seventh first-round picks in the past five years. The others: Micah Parsons (12th) and Odafe Oweh (31st) in 2021, Jahan Dotson (16th) in 2022 and Olu Fashanu (11th) and Chop Robinson (21st) last year.
The Lions featured a program-best four first-rounders in 2003: Jimmy Kennedy, Michael Haynes, Bryant Johnson and Larry Johnson Jr.
Here are the best fits for the top Penn State players in this NFL draft:
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DT Abdul Carter to the New York Giants in 1st round
Carter will be Penn State's highest draft choice since running back Saquon Barkley went third, overall, to the New York Giants in 2018.
Carter seems likely to duplicate the pick and the team.
While he would be a dynamic No. 2 selection for the Cleveland Browns, pairing him with pass rushing star Myles Garrett, the Browns seem more likely to go with a quarterback or Colorado receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter.
Carter could be considered the top talent available when New York picks.
TE Tyler Warren to the Chicago Bears in 1st round
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While Warren could go as high as seventh to the New York Jets, according to NFL draft experts, it seems more likely that he drops, at least a bit. Is a tight end, no matter how versatile, that valuable in the first round? The Chicago Bears seem to think so Bet on them taking Warren at No. 10 if he's still available.
He could be an immediate difference-maker for Bears' quarterback Caleb Williams and new head coach Ben Johnson, one of the top offensive minds in the league. Johnson helped tight end Sam LaPorta flourish in Detroit, and Warren is an even better prospect.
S KJ Winston to the Carolina Panthers in 2nd round
KJ Winston offers too much promise as a downhill tackler and athletic playmaker to pass up on Day Two, no matter that he missed nearly all of last season to injury. Winston proved his legs by running a 4.50 40-yard dash at Penn State's Pro Day in late March, which will be enough to convince a team like the Carolina Panthers to make him their second-round pick.
The Panthers desperately need safety help and Winston, an expected All-American before his knee injury, could be a draft steal with the 57th pick. The Philadelphia Eagles, for one, would be favored to take him at the end of the second round, if he lasts that long.
S Jaylen Reed to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 5th round
You must be registered for see images
Jaylen Reed is somewhat of a draft curiosity. His tackling expertise around scrimmage and big-play ability in the back-end compare favorably to former teammate KJ Winston. That means Reed could be suited as a Day Two, third-round selection.
Then again, do NFL teams truly grade his instincts and athleticism that highly? More predictions call for Reed to wait until at least the fifth round to be chosen, and the Pittsburgh Steelers would do well to take him at No. 156 overall.
LB Kobe King to the Baltimore Ravens in 5th round
Kobe King is one of the draft's most reliable performers. The inside linebacker is a standout tackler and enforcer around scrimmage and figures to only grow in the pros.
While those qualities ensure he will be drafted, limited athleticism and speed cause concerns in pass coverage and may keep him from going any higher than the fifth or sixth rounds. His skills and physicality fit the Baltimore Ravens, who could land him with the final pick of the fifth round.
Penn State football: Late rounds or NFL free agent picks?
Five Nittany Lions will be straddling the line between being a sixth or seventh round draft pick or signing as an undrafted free agent.
They are cornerback Jalen Kimber, offensive lineman Sal Wormley, defensive end Amin Vanover and defensive tackles Dvon J-Thomas and Coziah Izzard. Kimber, who impressed with a hot 40-yard time at Penn State's Pro Day, seems the most likely to go first.
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: NFL mock draft 2025: Penn State football prospects projections
Continue reading...
