Penn State football is well known for producing NFL talent every year. This year, a number of former Nittany Lions were selected in the NFL Draft. Between Chop Robinson, Adisa Isaac, and several others, Penn State has asserted itself as part of the NFL with this class of players.

Some of our staffers compiled picks for who they believe will have an immediate impact on their new team this year.

Ben Rosenbaum: Caedan Wallace, New England Patriots

There’s no question that the New England Patriots’ offensive line needs some serious work. Drafted in the third round with the 68th overall pick, offensive tackle Caedan Wallace brings the protection that the team is looking for. Wallace, who was on the Nittany Lions from 2019-23, played 670 offensive snaps last season throughout all 13 games and only allowed one sack.

Offensive line support is crucial for New England this year, as they signed veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett this offseason and drafted quarterback Drake Maye with the third overall pick in this past draft. Wallace should see some significant playing time as a rookie and immediately offer the offensive line support New England is looking for.

Dillon Williams: Adisa Issac, Baltimore Ravens

Defensive end Adisa Isaac bet on himself when he returned to Penn State for his senior year. Most NFL prospects like to exit in three years, but Isaac took the chance to improve his draft stock by returning to Happy Valley for his fourth. His self-belief paid off as the Brooklyn native finished the 2023-24 season with 16 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in 13 games.

Isaac went on to be drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the 3rd round, a team known for its defensive toughness. Although Isaac is behind more experienced players in the depth chart, such as Odafe Oweh and Kyle Van Noy, he can still make noise in new defensive coordinator Zach Orr’s system. With the Ravens poised to be in the running for playoff contention, look out for Isaac to cause some havoc in the backfield when he gets the opportunity.

Cooper Cazares: Olu Fashanu, New York Jets

The New York Jets will lean on offensive tackle Olu Fashanu as a key part of their offense in both the run and pass game. Star quarterback Aaron Rodgers and running back Breece Hall are both back with the team after injuries last year. After watching Fashanu’s preseason reps, I think he’ll be an outstanding offensive lineman for the Jets this year.

Aidan Conrad: Theo Johnson, New York Giants

It’s hard to not get excited for what tight end Theo Johnson could be in the NFL. During the NFL Combine, he scored the best grade ever by a tight end and opened the eyes of a lot of NFL scouts. Since getting drafted to the Giants, once starting tight end Darren Waller retired from the NFL, making Johnson the second-string tight end behind Daniel Bellinger. He may not break stat sheets right out of the gate, but I can see him flourishing and becoming the starter by the end of the season.

Nolan Wick: Olu Fashanu, New York Jets

Offensive tackle Olu Fashanu has the most upside of any Penn State player taken in the 2024 NFL Draft. The 6’6”, 313-pound Fashanu could play a huge role on the New York Jets’ offensive line, and his size alone makes him a viable asset. Based on how he played at Penn State, I’m confident he’ll be protecting Aaron Rodgers – or whoever’s under center in New York – for years to come.

Noah Flenard: Chop Robinson, Miami Dolphins

I predict defensive end Chop Robinson to be a breakout rookie from Penn State. Robinson possesses an elite ability to move through gaps using his impressive agility for his size. Even though he is often shut down on run plays, he can often shoot gaps and get tackles in the backfield.

Joe Lister: Chop Robinson, Miami Dolphins

Defensive end Chop Robinson is a bad, bad man. He’s big, physical, fast, and everything else a defensive end should be. It’s really no wonder he was drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft. Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself, but we could be talking about Robinson like we talk about fellow defensive end Micah Parsons in a few years.