Arnold

Ebiketie

Last season, the Cowboys selected linebacker Micah Parsons with the 12th overall pick of last year’s draft. Parsons totaled 13 sacks as a rookie and was named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year and a First-team All-Pro. With the recent success of PSU players, Fowler mocks two more Lions to the Cowboys in Brisker (6'1/200) and Ebiketie. Brisker has the ability to line up at both safety and cornerback, displaying great versatility during his time at Penn State. Ebiketie wrecked the Big 10 in 2021 to the tune of 62 tackles, 18 TFLs and 9.5 sacks.

In a deep edge class, anything you can do to stand out will help you separate from the pack. Ebiketie (6'3/253) was able to do that with a three-cone drill in the 88th percentile at 6.95 seconds. He has the size, skill set, and production with eight sacks and 52 pressures last season per PFF. Ebiketie projects currently as a day two selection.

This is a really good draft for pass rushers with a few players projected to go into the first round, one of those being Ebiketie (6'3/253). Penn State has always had a history of great defensive teams and this one was no different as they finished sixth in points allowed, so being a good player on this defense should get you high praise. Pro Football Focus likes Ebiketie a lot as he received the highest defensive grade for a Penn State player since Micah Parsons in 2019. Parson was one of the stars coming into the draft last year, was selected 12th overall to Cowboys, and not only was the clear-cut Defensive Rookie of the Year, but finished as the runner-up for overall Defensive Player of the Year. This could be a good sign for Ebiketie’s draft stock.

In an article written by PFF’s Doug Kyed, Ebiketie (6'3/253) earned a second-round draft grade, but could jump up boards after Penn State’s pro day. Kyed pointed out Ebiketie’s elite numbers at the NFL Scouting Combine, although it is worth noting that he opted out of the 40-yard dash. Penn State had two EDGE rushers drafted in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, with Dallas’ Micah Parsons winning Defensive Rookie of the Year. Ebiketie totaled 47 tackles, eight sacks and 52 pressures last season, per PFF.com, and finished his career with 14 sacks.

In his second mock draft, Kiper mocked Ebiketie (6'3/253) at 21st overall to the New England Patriots, while sending Dotson to the Tennessee Titans at 26th overall. Last season, Ebiketie totaled 47 tackles, 52 quarterback pressures and eight sacks with Penn State, and finished his career with 14 tackles. Dotson would lead the Lions in receiving with a line of 91-1182-12 per PFF.com, as both he and Ebiketie received First-Team All-Big Ten honors for their efforts last season.

It is widely known that this is a deep edge class and Edholm has seven of them going in the first round. The last of the group was Ebiketie (6'3/253). This was a surprise as his name hasn’t been seen in the first round. Edholm addressed that saying “This might feel high for Ebiketie, but he’s ascending post-Senior Bowl and could provide quality third-down snaps early on.” For a team that will need more pass rush help, especially if Chandler Jones ends up leaving the team, could be really valuable as they try to make a run while Kyler Murray is still on a rookie contract.

Ebiketie began the second half by getting to backup Hoosier quarterback Jack Tuttle, who himself was inserted into the game only because starter Michael Penix, Jr. had to leave briefly for injury evaluation after a particularly strong hit. It was a bruising effort all around from the Nittany Lions defense, as the group tallied a total of eight sacks while keeping Indiana off the score line. Ebiketie added three tackles in addition to the sack as Penn State allowed just 264 yards of total offense to a Hoosiers team that got the best of them last year in Bloomington.

Penn State, which is looking to rebound from a tough 2020 campaign, has two significant holes to fill on the defensive line. Jason Oweh and Shaka Toney, who both earned all-Big Ten honors, have moved on to the NFL. As a result, Ebiketie (6'4/240) is in position to break out in a big way after transferring in from Temple. “The redshirt junior is still adding weight to be an every-down guy, but he showed a great burst off the edge and was very active in the two scrimmages we were able to take in,” Fitz said about Ebiketie. A second team all-AAC selection in 2020, Ebiketie accounted for 42 total tackles (28 solo, 8.5 for loss), 4.0 sacks, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery last season.

Penn State has been active with regard to recruiting the transfer portal since the end of the regular season, and Ebiketie (6'4/240) is the latest addition. This past season the redshirt junior was a disruptive force on the edge, tallying 42 total tackles (28 solo, 8.5 for loss), 4.0 sacks, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. For his efforts, Ebiketie was a second team all-AAC selection. He’ll have two seasons of eligibility remaining at Penn State, and Ebiketie is more than capable of having an immediate impact in Happy Valley.