NFL Draft 2017 review: How Penn State players fit their NFL squads

How will the Penn State players fit with their new NFL teams?

Only one Penn State player was taken in the 2017 NFL Draft — wide receiver Chris Godwin. However, four others have been signed as undrafted free agents in the days since. Let’s take a look at how they fit in with their first professional teams.

Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Penn State’s star wideout was the only player from Happy Valley taken in the Draft in 2017. He went in the third round as the 84th pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Bucs have had a hard go of it for many years, but are on the rise as they had their first winning record since 2010 last year.

During the offseason Tampa Bay added WR Desean Jackson and still have top receiver Mike Evans and TE Cameron Brate. Adam Humphries had a decent year as a WR2, and will be the likely WR3 in 2017.

Godwin could start the season as the Bucs’ fourth wide receiver with the possibility to work his way into a bigger role as he gets used to the challenge of the NFL.

Godwin had 154 receptions in his three years at Penn State with 2421 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns, 11 of which came in 2016.

Brandon Bell, Cincinnati Bengals

Bell’s elbow injury suffered in the Rose Bowl ended his college career and also ended up dropping him out of the NFL Draft. Originally ranked as a sixth or seventh rounder, Bell’s injury history was enough of a red flag for teams to pass on him.

The Bengals, owners of one of the worst run defenses of the 2016 season, signed the play-making linebacker almost immediately after the draft.

Bell will have to beat out two other Linebackers that Cincinnati acquired over the weekend if he is to make the 50-man roster. His play-making and run-stopping ability will be a big help on a team so desperate for that kind of talent.

Bell isn’t only good for run defense however. In Penn State’s 4-3 Defense he did a good job in coverage as well.

Bell’s biggest problem is in his lack of natural athleticism. He isn’t that slow, 4.68 40-yard dash time, but can suffer from being heavy on his feet and unable to catch quicker targets. That plus his lack of strength (15 bench reps) could be his downfall.

In four years at Penn State Bell has accumulated 226 tackles, 27 tackles for loss including 11 sacks and four interceptions.

Garrett Sickels, Indianapolis Colts

Sickels left Penn State a year early to declare for the 2017 NFL Draft. Shortly after it ended he was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent.

Heading into the draft the Colts had big problems on their defensive line. After drafting Ohio State DE/LB Tarell Basham in the third round and Albany State DT Grover Stewart in the fourth round the journey looks tough for Sickels.

Sickels has an unending motor and plays to the whistle throughout games. He also plays well in pass rush situations, with good lateral quickness and ability to attack gaps in the line.

His weaknesses come on run defense and his ability to get off of blocks. There is a chance that, if Sickels makes the 50-man roster, he could be converted to linebacker to keep him away from blockers. That would, in turn, lead to him being a better pass rusher.

In three years at Penn State, Sickels had 94 total tackles, 11.5 sacks and 2 fumbles recovered.

Malik Golden, San Francisco 49rs

Penn State’s 2016 starting strong safety will be heading to California after being signed to the 49rs as an undrafted free agent.

The 49rs drafted a defensive back out of Miami named Adrian Colbert in the seventh round before picking up Golden.

The 49rs gave up the sixth most passing touchdowns last season with 30 and are in dire need of players to lower that number in 2017. They also had the 23rd most interceptions in the league with 10.

Golden has a good chance of making the 49rs roster in 2017 though will likely be a backup for a year or two as he gets used to the NFL.

In four years at Penn State, Golden had 130 total tackles, two interceptions and five passes defended.

Evan Schwan, New York Giants

The most recent Penn State player to be signed as an undrafted free agent, Schwan, was signed by the New York Giants.

Schwan, who can play defensive end or linebacker, is the perfect NFL size  at 6-6, 263 lbs. Though he isn’t a plug-and-play player yet, he has improved in each year at Penn State and will continue to do so in the NFL.

Schwan won’t likely be an incredible pass rusher in the NFL but has shown great ability in run defense.

On a Giants team with little defensive depth and with some time to develop Schwan could be a solid NFL player. All he has to do is make the roster and continue his upward trajectory.

Next: Penn State Football: Shareef Miller Could be a Big Key on Defense in 2017

In four years at Penn State, Schwan had 59 total tackles, five and a half sacks and four passes defended.