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Where Do Nittany Lions Land In Final 2024 NFL Mock Drafts?

At long last, the big day is finally here.

After months of speculation, we are just hours away from finding out how the 2024 NFL Draft will shake out when league commissioner Roger Goodell takes the stage in Detroit. Numerous Nittany Lions are expected to hear their names called, but when? Let’s take a look at the latest mock drafts one final time.

Charles Davis (NFL.com)

Charles Davis’ mock draft 3.0 has Olu Fashanu and Chop Robinson being taken in the first round.

Fashanu ends up getting drafted by the New Orleans Saints at No. 14 overall, which has been a frequent projection across mock drafts over the last several weeks. Davis keeps the reasoning simple, citing a need for a left tackle and the 6’6″, 317-pounder being “their guy.”

Meanwhile, Davis predicts Robinson will be selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the No. 26 overall pick, another common destination in many mock drafts. However, he doesn’t rule out the Buccaneers drafting an offensive lineman instead.

“Tampa banks on the potential and expected elevation of this speedy edge rusher whose numbers should improve in the NFL. I think a center is a possibility here, too,” he said.

NFL Nation (ESPN)

NFL Nation’s beat reporters for each team make their picks for the teams they cover in this mock draft.

Katherine Terrell sticks with the trend and has the Saints selecting Fashanu at No. 14 overall. She cites incumbent starter Trevor Penning’s woes and losses on the offensive line due to injury and free agency as the primary reasons why she thinks New Orleans will draft Fashanu.

Jenna Laine has Robinson going to Tampa Bay with the No. 26 overall pick. She doesn’t fully close the door on the possibility of trading down but believes the Buccaneers will take Robinson after losing Shaquil Barrett in free agency.

“Robinson might be the most boom-or-bust prospect in this first round. His get-off and explosiveness are terrific, but the production in college wasn’t there with 11.5 sacks in three seasons,” Laine said.

Charles McDonald & Nate Trice (Yahoo)

Charles McDonald and Nate Trice’s predictions are different in this mock draft. Fashanu is selected at No. 11 overall by the Los Angeles Chargers after a mock trade with the Minnesota Vikings. It would pair Fashanu with former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, who typically emphasizes a strong offensive line.

“Head coach Jim Harbaugh has stressed the importance of offensive linemen and can get his hands on a big-time talent with Fashanu, who is falling down draft boards after an inconsistent senior season, which may have been due to injury. Either way, Fashanu can slide into right tackle while the Chargers figure out a different route for their wide receiver problem,” Yahoo wrote.

Meanwhile, Robinson falls out of the first round. He’s selected by the Carolina Panthers, who hold the No. 33 overall pick.

“The Panthers should feel ecstatic about landing Robinson at this point in the draft. They still have needs on offense, but their defense is in rough shape after an offseason facelift. Robinson has all the potential in the world to become a high-impact pass rusher and playing with Derrick Brown and Jadeveon Clowney is a good cast to lean on as a rookie,” Yahoo said.

Jason La Canfora (Washington Post)

Jason La Canfora is among those who believe Fashanu is heading to New Orleans at No. 14 overall.

“The left side of the Saints’ OL is in tatters and their first rounder from 2022, Trevor Penning, can’t play. They want to try to win something with Derek Carr this year and to do that, they need help up front,” he wrote.

However, La Canfora does not predict Robinson being drafted in the first round.

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About the Author

Nolan Wick

Nolan is a third-year journalism major from Silver Spring, Maryland, which means he's an avid fan of all D.C. sports teams. If Nolan isn't writing about or watching sports, you can probably find him listening to all sorts of music or traveling. To keep up with Nolan, you can follow him on Twitter @nolan_wick or email him at [email protected].

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