Anaylsis: Penn State defensive draft prospects show versality, athleticism

ALTOONA, Pa. -- A look at most mock drafts this time of year yields varying results, but former Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons is near the top of nearly every list.

The 2020 NFL Draft goes deeper for Penn State than just Parsons on defense,however. There are quite a few former Nittany Lions who could hear their names called during the draft, and deservedly so. 

Defensive ends Jayson Oweh and Shaka Toney are two of the more intriguing defensive line prospects; both have tools capable to get them drafted. They were bookends along the defensive line for the Nittany Lions in 2020, but how both got to this point couldn't be more different.

Oweh, a redshirt sophomore, has every tool sought in a quality edge rusher, with his speed and athleticism, as well as length. With his physical prowess, Oweh is sure to test well at Penn State's pro day and should be able to demonstrate even more of the athleticism for which he is known. This despite a less-than-stellar first season as a starter, as he missed the last two games due to an undisclosed injury and failed to register a sack.

His presence was felt in many ways despite not recording a sack, and a player as physically and athletically gifted as Oweh could end up drafted in the later stage of the first round. Oweh is raw, seeing as he picked up playing football during his junior year of high school, but his upside is something many teams could use. 

Toney, on the other hand, waited his turn over the past few seasons, as his playing time -- and his play -- improved during his career. He appeared in 47 games with the Nittany Lions and started his last 22 games. As a team captain in 2020, Toney took charge of the Penn State defense, accumulating a team-leading five sacks as well as 31 total tackles. For his career, Toney had 20.5 sacks and 29.5 tackles-for-loss.

When Toney arrived on campus, he weighed a paltry 210 pounds, but bulked up to 252 pounds for his senior season. Along with that weight gain came a multitude of growth as a leader, on the field and off the field. Toney dealt with COVID-19 around Christmas, losing 20 pounds before getting back to 238 for the Senior Bowl.

At the Senior Bowl, Toney impressed scouts with his ability to play both defensive end and outside linebacker during workouts. He went step-for-step with Boise State tight end John Bates on a deep pass, something rarely required of him at Penn State.

His versatility and ability to play wherever needed projects well for Toney; he could be picked on Day 2 or 3 of the draft and could be a steal for whichever team he falls to. 

On the back end of the defense, safety Lamont Wade be picked could be selected late in the draft.

Wade's athleticism has been off the charts since he stepped onto campus. That's been demonstrated in the weight room and on the field, as he played both corner and safety while also excelling on special teams. 

At 5-foot-9, it's Wade's speed and athleticism that make him a guy who could be drafted late or sign as an undrafted free agent, much as former Penn State wide receiver Dan Chisena did last year. Despite playing defense at Penn State, Wade has always been a force with the ball in his hands, dating to his time at Clairton High School.

Wade's height is not an issue in playing at the next level; one of the best safeties in football, Tyrann Mathieu, is the same height. While Wade isn't quite there, talent-wise, playing in the NFL at his height shouldn't be an issue.

Wade, Oweh and Toney are expected to test well at Penn State's Pro Day, which would help their draft stocks immensely, given that the pre-draft process isn't the same as it would be in a normal year. The numbers they produce could help them climb draft boards and, for Toney and Oweh, could determine whether they're picked on Day 1 or Day 2.