Saints Could Look to Penn State for Mid-Round Draft Value

A closer look at two Nittany Lion players that could strengthen underrated positions of need for New Orleans.

Everyone knows that the New Orleans Saints have had an affinity for Ohio State players over the last 20 years, drafting 10 since 2002. The Saints have actually been attracted to Big 10 players in general over that same span. Since Mickey Loomis was promoted to general manager in 2002, the Saints have selected 30 players from the Big 10 conference in the NFL Draft, including ten in the last seven years. 

Ohio State has received most of the attention from the Saints, but one Big 10 program that's gotten little attention from New Orleans is Penn State. In 56 previous drafts, New Orleans has drafted just three Penn State players. Tight end John Gilmore (sixth round) was the last Nittany Lion to be drafted by the Saints in 2002, Loomis' first year as GM.

Penn State doesn't have any players that look like they'll be drafted in the top rounds in 2023. However, two Nittany Lions expected to come off the board in the middle rounds could be great assets for the Saints, albeit at positions of not great need.

WR - Parker Washington 

Penn State (Jr.)

5'10" 204-Lbs.

Penn State wide receiver Parker Washington (3) catches a pass against Ohio State. Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK

Washington started his Nittany Lions career strong as a freshman, catching 36 passes for 489 yards and six touchdowns in an abbreviated 2020 campaign. He'd follow that up in 2021 with 64 receptions for 820 yards and four scores. Both seasons he was second on the team in all three categories behind future NFL first-round choice Jahan Dotson. 

With Dotson gone in 2022, Washington led the Nittany Lions with 611 receiving yards on 46 catches despite missing three contests. He finished a three-year Penn State career with 146 receptions, 1,920 yards, and 12 touchdowns. All rank within the top 12 in the storied history of the program. 

Season-ending ankle surgery kept Washington from participating in on-field drills at either the NFL Scouting Combine or Penn State's Pro Day. He'll be ready for training camp and missed only three games in his college career. However, the lack of workouts may have slid his draft stock for scouts that already had questions about his athleticism. 

There are also questions whether Washington will be able to defeat press coverage at the NFL level. He ran a very limited route tree at Penn State, with most of his success coming from the slot. His straight line speed is considered average, leading to doubts about his success as a deep ball receiver. 

Penn State Nittany Lions receiver Parker Washington (3) leaps to makes a catch behind Maryland Terrapins defensive back Jakorian Bennett (2). Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY

Washington has fairly short arms on a 5'10" frame that leads to a smaller catch radius. He didn't show great route precision, albeit in a limited college offense, which leaves questions whether he'll be able to get separation against NFL coverages. 

Washington has a powerful build that will be able to hold up against the punishment wideouts take. His hands are extremely reliable. He shows outstanding concentration in traffic and elite body control to consistently make the tough, sometimes highlight reel, catches. 

Washington feasts against zone coverage and has shifty moves off the line to freeze off-ball defenders. He's especially creative out of the slot and shows the football IQ to handle an expanded route tree. 

After the catch, Washington runs like a running back. He's elusive in the open field and fights for extra yards after contact. He also returned kicks in college and will be effective on jet sweeps and WR screens. 

Penn State's Parker Washington (3) picks up some yards after a catch against Minnesota. Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK

Parker Washington will likely be drafted early in Day 3, but a team could grab him before the end of the third round. His ball skills should allow him to be an immediate contributor from the slot and he has the upside of a Number 2 wideout. 

If the Saints draft a receiver, most expect it to be a bigger wideout as injury insurance to Michael Thomas. However, Washington's sure hands and ability to be effective in the slot could allow New Orleans to use Thomas, Chris Olave, and Rashid Shaheed in more creative ways. 

After reworking the contracts of safeties Tyrann Mathieu and Marcus Maye and signing three players at the position in free agency, most don't expect the Saints to address this spot in the draft. Washington's Nittany Lions teammate might change that thought. 

S - Ji'Ayir Brown 

Penn State (Sr.)

5'11" 203-Lbs.

Jan 2, 2023; Penn State Nittany Lions safety Ji'Ayir Brown (16) makes an interception against the Utah Utes in the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Brown came to Penn State as a junior college transfer and appeared in all nine games of 2020 as a reserve. He and Jaquan Brisker, a second-round choice by in 2022, made up one of the best safety tandems in college football in 2021. Brown did his part with an FBS-high six interceptions and 73 tackles. 

In 2022, Brown finished his Nittany Lions career by leading the team in tackles (74, seven for loss) and interceptions (4) while adding 4.5 sacks. He'd cap that off by being named the Defensive MVP in Penn State's Rose Bowl victory over Utah. His subpar 32.5" vertical leap and 9'11" broad jump at the Scouting Combine were evened out by a solid 4.65 40 time and 1.56 10-yard split. 

Not the athlete former teammate Brisker is, Brown can be exposed by fleet-footed receivers deep when in man coverage. As a result, he sometimes gives too much cushion and can allow easy catches in front of him. 

In run support, Brown can be overly aggressive and get suckered on play-action or misdirection. He needs to do a better job disengaging from tight ends and get into pursuit faster against the run. 

Brown brings outstanding defensive versatility. He's a natural playmaker whether in slot coverage, single-high, or two-high safety coverage. His aggressiveness can fuel the entire defense. He has terrific ball skills, evidenced by 10 interceptions and 10 passes broken up the last two seasons. 

While his aggression can be used against him, Brown made far more big plays than he surrendered. He has excellent instincts on the back end and is fluid enough to clamp down on wideouts or tight ends in the slot. His pursuit of ball carriers is relentless and he's a highly efficient one-on-one tackler.

Sep 4, 2021; Penn State safety Ji'Ayir Brown (16) intercepts a pass in the waning moments of a victory at Wisconsin. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY

Ji'Ayir Brown will probably come off the board somewhere between midway Day 2 and early Day 3. He has the versatility and ball skills to immediately compete for a nickelback spot with the upside of a starting job in a year or two. 

Tyrann Mathieu and Marcus Maye both had disappointing seasons in their first year with New Orleans. They were still retained along with free agency additions Lonnie Johnson, Johnathan Abram, and Ugo Amadi. Still, a player like Brown could infuse youth and versatility to the unit if available in the middle rounds. 

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