The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The more a player can do, the more valuable they’ll be to an NFL team. Penn State’s Jaquan Brisker did a bit of everything for the Nittany Lions this past season. Brisker lined up in the box, in the slot, and played safety for the Nittany Lions this past season.
Brisker’s versatility and athleticism make him a possible target for the Green Bay Packers in the first or second round. The Penn State prospect checks in at No. 45 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.
Brisker interned at Dunder Mifflin while attending Lackawanna Community College prior to transferring to Penn State for the 2019 season.
During his first year at Penn State, Brisker recorded two interceptions and four pass deflections. In 2020, Brisker recorded 57 tackles, three tackles for loss, one interception, and five pass deflections.
This past season Brisker recorded 63 tackles, six tackles for loss, two interceptions, and five pass deflections. He showed off his versatility by lining up all over the field for the Nittany Lions. According to Pro Football Focus, Brisker had 433 snaps in the box, 153 in the slot, 165 at deep safety, and seven snaps on the boundary.
“He’s so versatile,” Mark Wogenrich, the Publisher of All Penn State, said. “Brent Pry, Penn State’s former defensive coordinator and now the head coach at Virginia Tech, said Brisker could play any secondary position and, with a year to prepare, even drop down to outside linebacker. As Pry said, ‘He’s got corner feet and hips and speed, but he’s also got a safety body.’ Penn State considered working Brisker into the return game but ultimately didn’t because he played so many defensive reps.”
Brisker is an athletic freak. The Penn State safety was No. 76 on Bruce Feldman’s Annual Freak’s list for the 2021 season. That freaky athleticism was on full display at the NFL Scouting Combine. The 6-1, 199-pound safety clocked a 4.49 40-yard dash and had a broad jump of 124″.
“Jaquan Brisker is one of the most athletic safeties to ever play for Penn State,” Wogenrich said. “As a senior, he power-cleaned 315 pounds and hit 32 feet, 5 inches in the triple broad jump, two testing metrics Penn State’s S&C staff highly values. His strength (21 reps on the bench press at the Combine) helps to make him a devastating run-stopping safety, but he has the speed to cover as well.”
Brisker is at his best playing closer to the line of scrimmage, where his physicality shines. He’s a physical tone-setter and is always around the football. He runs the alley like a heat-seeking missile and packs a punch as a tackler. He’s a reliable open-field tackler and arrives at contact with bad intentions. Brisker powers through blocks against the run and some teams may view him strictly as a box safety or even as a nickel linebacker.
“Brisker thrives on playing physically,” Wogenrich said. “Always has. But returning to Penn State for a second season (he had transferred from a junior college) gave him time to improve his defensive reads and understand when to join in run support. He couples that experience with size and power to form a strong overall tackler.”
Brisker is at his best running downhill however, he’s more than capable in coverage. With his speed, he has excellent range. He has the size, strength, and quickness to match up with tight ends in coverage. He’s has a high football IQ and has disciplined eyes. He has balanced feet and great closing burst when he sees an opportunity to make a play in coverage. According to Pro Football Focus, Brisker played 406 coverage snaps this past season and gave up just one touchdown.
“Brisker’s best in run-stoppage, to be sure. He’s such an aggressive and sure tackler,” Wogenrich said. “That said, Brisker doesn’t give up much behind him. He played almost 400 coverage snaps last season and allowed one touchdown. He saved Penn State’s win over Wisconsin with an interception at the goal line. But he also dropped two picks during the season, something to watch.”
Brisker is not a ball-hawking safety. He’s a player that wants to drive through the pass-catcher, rather than make a play on the ball. That’s not to say he doesn’t have adequate ball skills (five interceptions).
Fit with the Packers
Brisker is a versatile chess piece. He’s the queen. His ability to line up in the slot, at linebacker, safety, and occasionally on the boundary makes him matchup proof. He can match up with tight ends, running backs, and wide receivers in coverage.
Brisker’s ability in coverage is outshined by his physical, downhill playing style. He’ll remind some folks of Las Vegas Raider safety, Johnathan Abram. Like Abram, Brisker is at his best attacking downhill.
“Brisker’s versatility fits a strong safety position,” Wogenrich said. “He’ll shine in the box and be able to cover most tight ends. Pry thought Brisker would have been Penn State’s best cover corner as well, so he might work well in the slot.”
The Green Bay Packers could be losing both Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage to free agency next season. It would not be surprising to see Gutekunst select a safety early in the 2022 NFL Draft.
With his athleticism, versatility, physicality, and playmaking ability, Brisker could be a player that Gutekunst targets early (first or second round) in the upcoming draft.
If Brisker were to land in Green Bay he’d immediately make an impact on special teams coverage units.
It would be interesting to see how defensive coordinator Joe Barry would deploy Brisker early on. He could play linebacker, safety, or even slot corner. No matter where Barry lines him up, it is hard to imagine Brisker not seeing playing time early on defense.
“His size, strength, versatility, work ethic, and determination would make me want to draft Brisker,” Wogenrich said. “Brisker hurt his shoulder in the 2021 season-opener against Wisconsin, left the game three times, but always returned. He never missed a start.”
