Penn State defensive tackle Zane Durant’s elite quickness fits specific NFL schemes. Could the Eagles nab this Day 3 defensive tackle "steal"?
The Penn State Nittany Lions should have several players from the 2025 roster taken in the upcoming draft.
No PSU player is receiving more buzz than offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane, who could be the lone player from the program taken in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft next week.
The Nittany Lions were thought to have several players on the bubble of making the first round before the 2025 campaign. However, a disastrous start to the season hurt the stock of many players on the roster.
With that being said, Penn State could have several players that are underrated by scouts for the draft.
Andy Staples of On3 argued that defensive tackle Zane Durant could be a "steal" on Day 3. He thinks Durant will go in the sixth or seventh round.
Staples thinks Durant is a conditional player, needing to go to a defense that allows him to twist and stunt.
"Durant needs to play in a scheme that welcomes gap-shooting three-technique tackles and runs plenty of twists and stunts, but fortunately there are a few of those in the NFL," Staples wrote.
"The 6-1, 290-pounder isn’t designed to occupy blockers so linebackers can make plays. He’s the one who can make the plays for a coordinator creative enough to take advantage of Durant’s elite quickness. In the right defense, Durant can be a steal."
One potential option for Durant next week is the Philadelphia Eagles.
Eagles defensive line coach Clint Hurtt was a head coach during the Senior Bowl, and Durant told Penn Live that he got to meet with Hurtt "a lot" during the week in January in Mobile, Alabama. He would be blessed to play for Hurtt in the league.
“It was exciting to hear from them and have a little bit of interest from them," Durant said of the Eagles.
Durant thinks his skills will translate in the league, suggesting he was a "fast cat" and "twitchy."
With the Eagles moving on from defensive linemen due to age and money, Durant would be an intriguing addition for Philadelphia. Still, there are other teams that could work for the Penn State standout.