3 thoughts on the NFL Draft landing spots for Arnold Ebiketie, Jaquan Brisker
Penn State football has sent two more Nittany Lions to the NFL.
End Arnold Ebiketie and safety Jaquan Brisker were both selected on Friday during Day 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft. They join receiver Jahan Dotson, who went to the Washington Commanders in the first round on Thursday night.
Ebiketie went off the board first. The Atlanta Falcons traded up to No. 38 to take the All-Big Ten standout. Brisker, then, went No. 48 overall to the Chicago Bears.
Here are three thoughts on the landing spots for the defender duo.
1. Ebiketie was badly wanted by Atlanta
The trade machine was active early in Round 2. Multiple teams moved up to land the player they wanted. For the Falcons, Ebiketie was clearly someone they had in mind. It’s why they jumped up to take the Maryland native.
“Strategic move to get ahead of Seattle to get a pass rusher,” ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr., said. “He’s strong, he’s powerful, he’s athletic, and he has that knack that you cannot teach, you cannot coach, of getting after the quarterback and finishing with a sack.
“He’s as good a pass rusher as just about anybody in this draft.”
“Ebiketie will provide a much-needed boost to the Falcons’ edge-rushing game and should factor into the rotation at defensive end very early in his career. Ebiketie has an ideal skill set to fill an outside linebacker role in Dean Pees’ 3-4 scheme.”
Penn State fans know why Atlanta wanted Ebiketie. He can do a little bit of everything and showed in 2021 that he’s ready for an even bigger stage in 2022.
More: Arnold Ebiketie landing with Atlanta Falcons is a quality fit
2. Brisker fills big need in Chicago
Penn State fans watched Brisker grow from a former junior college standout at Lackawana to an All-American at the FBS level.
Considering how much NFL offenses value the passing game, it’s no surprise that teams in this draft have invested heavily in secondary players who can help stop it.
Brisker gutted out the 2021 season despite suffering a shoulder injury in the opener at Wisconsin. He was one of the best Penn State defenders last season despite the injury. And, while he was labeled as a possible first-round pick, landing with the Bears where he did is a logical spot for the Pittsburgh native.
That’s the case even if others thought Chicago might opt to use their second-round choice on the other side of the ball. And, he could have a quick path to playing time in the Windy City.
“While it’s very surprising the Bears didn’t draft a wide receiver at this spot, Brisker fills a huge need in the secondary,” Miller writes.
“As a versatile and rangy safety, he adds a playmaking presence that has been missing in the Bears’ secondary. He will be a rookie starter with a huge opportunity to thrive in Matt Eberflus’ defense.”
3. Penn State odds and ends
Here are some notable facts courtesy of the Penn State football communications staff:
–“Penn State has had a defensive lineman drafted in the top two rounds in three consecutive drafts (Yetur Gross-Matos, 2nd round, 38th overall to Carolina in 2020; Odafe Oweh, 1st round, 31st overall to Baltimore in 2021).”
–“Ebiketie becomes the sixth PSU player selected by the Falcons. He is the first Penn State player to be drafted by the Falcons since Bryan Scott (2nd round, 55th overall in 2003).”
–Brisker having the chance to start for the Bears validated his decision to come back to Penn State last season. Ji’Ayir Brown will hope to take a similar path this fall.
