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Penn State Football NFL Draft Profile: Jason Cabinda

By Joe Ciminera

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - SEPTEMBER 30: Jason Cabinda #40 of the Penn State Nittany Lions pushes past Brandon Knight #62 to sack Richard Lagow #21 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the first half on September 30, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - SEPTEMBER 30: Jason Cabinda #40 of the Penn State Nittany Lions pushes past Brandon Knight #62 to sack Richard Lagow #21 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the first half on September 30, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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Will Jason Cabinda be a late round steal, or will he need to prove his worth as an undrafted free agent?

The never, ever wrong NFL Draft analysts see Penn State linebacker Jason Cabinda as a fringe NFL player.

It goes without saying, Cabinda’s fingernails will be chewed down to his cuticles as he watches the draft this weekend.

Cabinda led the Nittany Lions in tackles in 2017, and probably would’ve in 2016 as well if it weren’t for a hand injury that allowed him to play in only 9 games. If ever there was a throwback, quintessential linebacker, it’s Jason Cabinda.

He is a six-foot-one, 240-pound wrecking ball with a deceptive smile. A fan favorite, Cabinda spent his years in State College playing with an unmatched motor, using his brain to make big play after big play.

I say using his brain, not as a knock on his athletic ability, but as a compliment to his football IQ. Cabinda is a very smart, high character guy, but the NFL is made up of athletes. Cabinda tested reasonably well at his pro day, and may have done enough to hear his name called in the sixth or seventh round.

He posted a very good vertical jump of 33.5″ and a solid broad jump of 10’9″. Cabinda needed to have a strong pro day to boost his stock, but his intangibles will show up on film.

Cabinda brings a tenacity that NFL defensive coordinators will love, and GM’s will take note of.

Ranked ninth all time in tackles at Penn State, he looks to join other Linebacker U players who have transitioned well to the NFL. Everyone knows the greats, but there have been plenty of successes recently as well.

Paul Posluzny (34th overall) just announced his retirement after an excellent 11 year NFL career. If healthy, Sean Lee (55th overall) is one of the top defensive players in the league. NaVorro Bowman (91st overall) has had a solid run, not without some controversy, thus far, and Michael Mauti (213th overall) has made a nice career playing for the New Orleans Saints.

Obviously, Mauti is the closest comparison to Cabinda, but the history of Penn State Linebackers in the NFL plays in Cabinda’s favor.

Mauti earned his keep as a special teamer, and Cabinda’s ability to play special teams may very well be his foot in the door.

There are plenty of teams that may take a flier on Cabinda late, but the New York Giants may be the one to pull the trigger. They recently worked out Cabinda and some other Penn Staters.

The 49ers, Vikings, Bengals and Chiefs are other potential landing spots.

Related Story: DaeSean Hamilton NFL Draft profile

If he goes undrafted, there is no doubt Jason Cabinda will be ready to prove his value to an NFL franchise, and make some GM look pretty smart.

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