Win over Indiana boosts NFL draft stock for Penn State prospects
Penn State is coming off an impressive win over Indiana. It has been a nice past few weeks to be a Penn State NFL draft prospect.
We have seen multiple Nittany Lions featured in first-round mock drafts. Out of every Penn State 2023 draft prospect, Joey Porter Jr. has been featured in multiple first-round mock drafts.
On top of that, we have seen players like offensive tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu boost their draft stock.
Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson was selected 16th overall in the 2022 draft by the Washington Commanders. Now, the Nittany Lions have added Western Kentucky transfer Mitchell Tinsley, who has kept his draft stock fairly steady.
Porter Jr. is also continuing to solidify himself as a first-round prospect.
Not only that, but we also have players like Parker Washington who are quietly rising their draft stock.
Let’s take a look at an update on where the current draft stock of some key Penn State prospects.
Joey Porter Jr. - Stock Up
STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 24: Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver Finn Hogan #17 of the Central Michigan Chippewas during the second half at Beaver Stadium on September 24, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Joey Porter Jr. continues to impress. There a few first-round cornerbacks are solidifying themselves in the first round, and Porter Jr. is one of them. According to PFF, this season, Porter Jr. has zero touchdowns allowed, 10 forced in completions and has allowed a 59.1 passer rating. He has been featured in several first-round mock drafts, the most out of any Penn State 2023 NFL draft prospect right now. At the rate he is playing, Porter Jr. is likely a first-round draft prospect, it’s just a matter of where he will end up.
Ji'Ayir Brown - Stock Up
Oct 22, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions safety Ji’Ayir Brown (16) avoids a tackle while running with the ball following an interception during the third quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Minnesota 45-17. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Ji’Ayir Brown has quietly been raising his NFL Draft stock. He finished with three total tackles on Saturday, including a sack. Last season, Brown had 73 total tackles and six interceptions. This season, he is picking up right where he left off, and NFL teams will fall in love with Brown’s athleticism and his terrific vision. He also brings plenty of experience to the table, and he is not necessarily a raw prospect. Brown has the talent to potentially become a starting safety in the NFL.
Parker Washington - Stock Up
Nov 5, 2022; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Parker Washington (3) catches a pass in front of Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Jaylin Williams (23) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
Parker Washington has had a productive two weeks of football. Against Ohio State, he had 179 receiving yards and a touchdown. Against Indiana, he had just four receptions for 30 yards. However, there were plenty of players involved in Penn State’s offense throughout that game. Washington has been one of the most productive slot wide receivers in the country. Coming into the season, Mike Renner of PFF named Washington as his early favorite to be the “best pure slot in this draft class. He is certainly making a case for it. Will he be a first-round draft pick? As of right now, it does kind of seem unlikely. But whoever drafts Washington will be very satisfied.
Olumuyiwa Fashanu - Stock Up
Oct 15, 2022; Ann Arbor, Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) receives congratulations from offensive lineman Olumuyiwa Fashanu (74) after scoring a touchdown in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
If you want to talk about Penn State players that are soaring their draft stock, it’s Olumuyiwa Fashanu. Sure, he does have the lack of college experience. However, he is young. He turns 20 in December. Not only that, but Fashanu has really impressed analysts with how quickly he has been developing. He didn’t travel to Bloomington for Penn State’s matchup at Indiana. However, his leadership does not go unnoticed. Sean Clifford mentioned after Saturday’s game at Indiana that he missed having the leadership of Fashanu. Fashanu has the talent to be a future NFL starter. Teams certainly don’t have to put him in a starting role right away. They can take their time developing Fashanu and make him a franchise cornerstone player for their future.
Brenton Strange - Stock Up
STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 01: Brenton Strange #86 of the Penn State Nittany Lions leaps to avoid the tackle of Cameron Mitchell #2 of the Northwestern Wildcats and score a touchdown during the first half at Beaver Stadium on October 1, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Brenton Strange has been one of the most productive tight ends in the Big Ten. It will be interesting to see if he sneaks his way up to as early as the third round. He is having a career year, with 287 receiving yards and four touchdown receptions. Not only that, but Strange also has impressive hands. One example of that was an impressive tight window catch against Ohio State. Strange has had a consistent and productive career at Penn State.
Mitchell Tinsley - Stock stayed the same
Nov 5, 2022; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley (5) catches a pass in front of Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Tiawan Mullen (3) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
The last time we checked in on Mitchell Tinsley, he wasn’t really doing much to improve his draft stock. However, ever since then, he also hasn’t done a lot to raise nor lower his draft stock. So, you could say Tinsley has kept his draft stock steady so far this season. It does seem likely as of right now that Tinsley could be an early Day 3 pick in the draft. However, with three games left of the season and Penn State’s bowl game, there is plenty of opportunity for him to improve his draft stock. Tinsley had some early production against Indiana. He had five receptions for 63 yards, being the team’s second leading receiver in that game. That is a nice for Tinsley to build off of in these final few games of the season.
Adisa Isaac - Stock Up
AUBURN, ALABAMA – SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback T.J. Finley #1 of the Auburn Tigers jumps after a live ball in front of defensive end Adisa Isaac #20 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first half of play at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 17, 2022 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
Adisa Isaac had a productive game against Indiana. He finished with two total tackles, including a sack. Isaac was sidelined for the 2021 season after tearing his achilles. However, he has slowly started to progress. Sure, he hasn’t had any jaw-dropping games yet this season. But, his production has not gone unnoticed. He has been featured in a first-round mock draft by Sports Illustrated. He is slowly raising his draft stock, and these last few games will hopefully be good, productive games for him.
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