Penn State mock draft roundup: Latest on landing spots for Joey Porter Jr. and other former Lions

The NFL Combine kicks off later this week in Indianapolis, Ind. Seven former Penn State football players were invited to the annual scouting combine. It marks a chance for all of them to boost their draft stock in front of professional general managers, coaches, scouts, and other decision-makers.

Before the drills start with defensive linemen and linebackers on March 2, it’s time to take a final pre-Combine peek at where media mock drafts are slotting numerous Nittany Lions right now.

Joey Porter Jr., is projected to end a Penn State drought

Penn State has never had a defensive back picked in the first-round of the NFL Draft. In fact, the Lions have only had two safeties taken in the second round and no cornerbacks until the third.

Joey Porter Jr., is set to change all of that, however. The rangy pass defender has long been projected as a first-round pick. That was the case even before he declared that he was opting out of the Rose Bowl and declaring for the 2023 pro selection process. More than two months removed from that, analysts still believe ‘JPJ’ will be off the board on day one.

Where will ‘JPJ’ end up?

At CBS Sports, Ryan Wilson sends Porter Jr., to Detroit with the No. 6 overall selection.

“Porter is the prototypical big, physical cornerback who looks like he belongs in the NFL,” Wilson writes. “He can sometimes get a little too handsy downfield, but he checks many of the boxes of what team’s look for when drafting DBs. Is this too early for Porter? Maybe … then again, there is a premium on big, physical cornerbacks.”

Trevor Sikkema at Pro Football Focus, then, has Porter Jr., going off the board at No. 16 to the Washington Commanders.

“The Commanders need offensive line help, but with the big three offensive tackles off the board, they look to their biggest defensive need and shore up their cornerback room with the uniquely sized Porter, who is 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds,” Sikkema writes.

USA Today’s Draft Wire sends Porter Jr., to New England with the No. 14 overall pick.

“Bill Belichick is likely ecstatic to get a long and athletic corner with NFL bloodlines to come in and start on the outside for him,” Natalie Miller writes. “Porter has the potential to be the best corner in this class, and could be the next shutdown man for the Patriots going forward.”

Other Lions will go later

Drafttek.com has a new seven-round mock out. It sends receiver Parker Washington to the Chicago Bears in the second round. Safety Ji’Ayir Brown is sent to the Green Bay Packers in Round 3. In Round 4, the site has defensive tackle PJ Mustipher as a Round 4 pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Finally, center/guard Juice Scruggs goes in Round 6 to Minnesota.

Walter Football Camp also has a multi-round mock draft available. It sends Brown to the Buffalo Bills in Round 2.

“The Bills have talented safeties, but they’re getting up there in age,” the site writes. “Ji’Ayir  Brown has great instincts, but he’s short and lacks length.”