Night two of the 2023 NFL Draft was an eventful one, and there were a couple of Penn State players drafted. Although night one was disappointing for Penn State fans, night two represented the Nittany Lions well. Here is a look at the Penn State players selected on night two of the 2023 NFL draft.
Penn State Players Drafted
Former Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr. (9) – Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
Round2 Pick 32 Joey Porter Jr
Despite being a player many expected in the first round, cornerback Joey Porter Jr was the first of the Penn State players drafted. With the 32nd pick in the 2023 NFL draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Porter. The Steelers as a franchise know Porter Jr. well, as that is where his father spent his career.
Porter’s father was with the Steelers from 1999 until 2006. Porter grew up around the franchise and will feel right at home with this team. Although he was not supposed to be one of the Penn State players drafted on night two, Porter is on a team that he can do well with. The young cornerback can now show the other teams why he should have been taken in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft.
Round 2 Pick Pick 61 Brenton Strange
In the second round, with the 61st overall pick, the Jacksonville Jaguars have selected tight end Brenton Strange. This was a slight surprise, as Strange was expected to fall a bit more. Strange is a solid receiver and has given quarterback Trevor Lawrence a big target to throw to this season. Strange is a strong player, but it was unknown where he would be selected. He is not the best blocker, but he is a great receiver.
A way for the Jaguars to succeed in a loaded AFC conference is to give Lawrence as many targets as possible. Strange is 6ft 3in, and in 2022 he had 32 receptions for 362 yards and five touchdowns, according to Sports Reference. The Jaguars got themselves someone they can rely on to get open and score points as they push for a deep playoff run in 2023.
Round 2 Pick 62 Juice Scruggs
Center Juice Scruggs was not just one of the Penn State players drafted; he was the second Nittany Lion in a row. The Houston Texans selected Scruggs with the 62nd overall pick, making Penn State players go back-to-back. On day one, the Texans got their quarterback with CJ Stroud and now added more protection for their rookie quarterback. According to Pro Football Focus, Scruggs only allowed one sack and three hits in 2022. Scruggs is a solid lineman who did not allow many sacks in 2022 and will be a strong player for the Houston Texans.
Former Penn State Center Juice Scruggs (70) – Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Round 3 Pick 87 Ji’Ayir Brown
With the 87th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, the San Francisco 49ers traded up to select Ji’Ayir Brown. As preparations for the 2023 NFL draft moved forward, Brown’s draft stock continuously increased. The 49ers lost Jimmie Ward during free agency and needed depth next season. In his three years with the Nittany Lions, Brown had 153 total tackles, 122 of which were solo, nine tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks, according to Sports Reference. This is one of the Penn State draft picks this year that was unknown on where he would land but ended up on one of the top NFL defenses.
Brown also had ten interceptions during his time at Penn State, six in 2021 and four in 2022, and one touchdown. He also had nine pass deflections, three fumble recoveries; one returned for a touchdown and three forced fumbles. There is a good chance Brown will not start right away but is in the plans to be the future with Talanoa Hufanga.
The Nittany Lions still have a couple of Nittany Lions that can be picked tomorrow, on the final day of the 2023 NFL Draft.
