The 2026 NFL Draft is one day away and former Penn State football players are anticipating hearing their names called over the three-day event starting on Thursday, April 23.
These Nittany Lions' draft stocks fell due to the lackluster 2025 season, excluding one name that has been a consistent first-rounder since he entered his name into the draft.
Guard Olaivavega Ioane has been mocked many time to the Baltimore Ravens at pick No. 14 in Round 1. In Mel Kiper of ESPN's final Big Board update, though, he has Ioane listed as the No. 12 overall prospect. The Dallas Cowboys have that pick, though it's not guaranteed they'll opt for an offensive lineman in the first.
"Ioane drives defensive tackles off the ball and sustains his blocks well. He can get to the second level and torque defenders out of the way," Kiper wrote. "And he's incredibly agile at left guard for his size. Ioane had 32 career starts and gave up only two sacks over that time -- both in 2023."
Aside from Ioane, Penn State isn't featured until the very bottom of Round 2. Two former Nittany Lions made it into Day 2.
The Seattle Seahawks have the 64th overall pick of the draft, the final team to select in the second. In this spot, Kiper has edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton. At pick No. 91 overall in the third round, he ranked Zakee Wheatley. The Buffalo Bills have that selection heading into the draft.
Then in Day 3 are the rest of the potential Penn State draft picks.
Coming in as the next highest-ranked Nittany Lion is quarterback Drew Allar. At No. 115, however, it's very unlikely that this is where Allar goes as the Ravens have this pick.
Running back Kaytron Allen slotted in at No. 123, which would be the Los Angeles Chargers in Round 4. Very soon after, running back Nicholas Singleton comes in at No. 126. The Bills have this pick, so, like Allar, it is very unlikely to see Singleton go in this spot.
Round 4 is rounded out by defensive tackle Zane Durant at No. 130. This would be the Miami Dolphins' selection. In Day 3, Kiper ranked offensive tackle Drew Shelton at No. 142. The Tennessee Titans have this pick in Round 5.
Kiper's Big Board isn't a definitive mock draft, which is clear by some of these teams not having positional needs despite that prospect being the next best player. The only "lock," so to speak, is Ioane in the first round. As for the others, it'll be up to what traits each specific team needs.
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