Eight Penn State players heard their names called in the 2026 NFL, while a group of others signed as undrafted free agents and will battle for spots on 53-man rosters.
Taking into account player talent and roster needs, there are four Nittany Lions with the best opportunities to step into starting roles as rookies.
Vega Ioane, Guard, Baltimore Ravens
Taken No. 14 overall, Ioane was Penn State’s highest-drafted player and should also make the biggest immediate impact.
The Ravens had a major need at guard, making Ioane a no-brainer selection on the first night of the draft. He’s projected to play at left guard but has the ability to play either side, blocking for quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry.
Ioane was viewed as the consensus top guard in the draft and a plug-and-play option after surrendering no sacks across the last two seasons, per PFF. The early feedback from coaches and teammates indicate he’s trending to start Week 1 at Indianapolis.
Kaytron Allen, Running Back, Washington Commanders
Despite being selected in the sixth round, Allen is competing against Jacory Croskey-Merritt and free-agent signing Rachaad White for the starting spot this offseason.
Croskey-Merritt was the Commanders’ premier back last season and started hot with four touchdowns in the first five games before fading down the stretch. In Tampa Bay, White split touches with Bucky Irving last season with the Buccaneers.
Though all three should see touches, Allen has a decent chance to be the bell-cow back, coming off a 1,303-yard season with the Nittany Lions. His durability and physicality make him a valuable addition who could take some stress off quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Dani Dennis-Sutton, Defensive End, Green Bay Packers
After slipping to the fourth round, Dennis-Sutton was scooped up by the Packers, where he’ll have an opportunity to compete for early playing time.
Green Bay already has established talent on the edge, including former Nittany Lion standout Micah Parsons and 2023 first-round pick Lukas Van Ness, so defensive end wasn’t a pressing need entering the draft, but Dennis-Sutton proved too talented to pass up.
With Rashan Gary’s departure, both Dennis-Sutton and Van Ness will likely compete to fill his starting role, with the loser playing in a rotational capacity, similar to Van Ness last season.
If needed, Dennis-Sutton could also provide value as an outside linebacker. Either way, his versatility and pass-rushing ability should help him earn snaps and find a role in Green Bay’s defense.
Zakee Wheatley, Safety, Carolina Panthers
Wheatley has a chance to join fellow Nittany Lion safety Nick Scott in the Panthers’ secondary next season, if he can earn a starting role.
His best chance at playing time is beating out Tre’von Moehrig, a 2021 second-round pick who struggled heavily in coverage last season, earning just a 52.4 grade from PFF which ranked 70th among 93 qualified safeties in the NFL.
Though Wheatley dropped to the fifth round, his sound tackling and play-making ability could propel him over Moehrig as Carolina’s top strong safety on the depth chart.
