IOWA CITY — As the NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday, there is little doubt about who will be the first two prospects off the board from the state of Iowa.
It’s nearly a consensus that Iowa cornerback and special teams star Cooper DeJean will be picked somewhere in the first round — likely the latter half. Iowa State’s T.J. Tampa, meanwhile, is widely considered to be either a second or third-round selection.
After that, there is plenty of uncertainty. Draft prognosticators have Iowa tight end Erick All going anywhere from the fourth round to the seventh round. Northern Iowa’s Khristian Boyd could be a third-round pick … or a sixth-round pick.
Here is where five prominent seven-round mock drafts released this month expect Iowa, Iowa State and UNI prospects to go during this week’s draft:
Iowa DB Cooper DeJean
Jordan Reid/ESPN: First round, No. 29 overall to Detroit Lions
Chad Reuter/NFL.com: First round, No. 27 overall to Arizona Cardinals
Pro Football Focus: First round, No. 17 to Jacksonville Jaguars
Dane Brugler/The Athletic: First round, No. 23 to Arizona Cardinals
Josh Edwards/CBS Sports: First round, No. 15 to Indianapolis Colts
The bottom line: It is highly unlikely that DeJean slips past the first round. The big questions for the All-America defensive back and special teams star are when does he hear his name and where does his future team envision him playing in the secondary.
Iowa State DB T.J. Tampa
Jordan Reid/ESPN: Second round, No. 47 overall to New York Giants
Chad Reuter/NFL.com: Third round, No. 68 overall to New England Patriots
Pro Football Focus: Second round, No. 43 to Atlanta Falcons
Dane Brugler/The Athletic: Second round, No. 39 to Carolina Panthers
Josh Edwards/CBS Sports: Second round, No. 48 to Jacksonville Jaguars
The bottom line: Tampa is not quite in the same tier as DeJean and some of the other top cornerbacks in this year’s draft class, but he certainly has the size, physicality and instincts to become a contributor at the NFL level.
Recommended Reading:
Ex-Cyclone Tampa an underrated prospect
Northern Iowa DL Khristian Boyd
Jordan Reid/ESPN: Fourth round, No. 118 overall to Seattle Seahawks
Chad Reuter/NFL.com: Third round, No. 97 to Cincinnati Bengals
Pro Football Focus: Fifth round, No. 145 to Denver Broncos
Dane Brugler/The Athletic: Fifth round, No. 158 to Miami Dolphins
Josh Edwards/CBS Sports: Sixth round, No. 203 to Denver Broncos
The bottom line: Boyd is one of the most intriguing prospects from the FCS level in this draft. The 6-foot-2, 329-pound defensive lineman did not get an invitation to the NFL Combine, but his 38 reps on the bench press at UNI’s pro day certainly helped his draft stock.
Iowa TE Erick All
Jordan Reid/ESPN: Sixth round, No. 182 overall to Tennessee Titans
Chad Reuter/NFL.com: Seventh round, No. 226 overall to Arizona Cardinals
Pro Football Focus: Fourth round, No. 118 to Seattle Seahawks
Dane Brugler/The Athletic: Sixth round, No. 194 to Cincinnati Bengals
Josh Edwards/CBS Sports: Fifth round, No. 171 to Philadelphia Eagles
The bottom line: All’s recent string of injuries presents some risk for any NFL teams considering him, but his film at Iowa (and Michigan before that) shows potential for success at the next level.
Iowa DL Logan Lee
Jordan Reid/ESPN: Sixth round, No. 209 overall to Los Angeles Rams
Chad Reuter/NFL.com: Seventh round, No. 225 overall to Los Angeles Chargers
Pro Football Focus: Fifth round, No. 158 to Miami Dolphins
Dane Brugler/The Athletic: Seventh round, No. 250 to Baltimore Ravens
Josh Edwards/CBS Sports: N/A
The bottom line: With three years of experience starting at Iowa and an obvious lack of off-the-field issues, Lee is an especially low-risk option for prospective teams. Lee has shown the willingness to adapt to any role at the next level, having done drills at defensive line, tight end and long snapper at Iowa’s pro day.
Iowa P Tory Taylor
Jordan Reid/ESPN: Sixth round, No. 199 overall to New Orleans
Chad Reuter/NFL.com: Sixth round, No. 219 overall to Green Bay Packers
Pro Football Focus: N/A
Dane Brugler/The Athletic: Fifth round, No. 150 to New Orleans Saints
Josh Edwards/CBS Sports: Fifth round, No. 150 to New Orleans Saints
The bottom line: Taylor might have to wait a little longer than previously anticipated on Saturday to find his NFL home. The market for punters has cooled off after the Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns inked multiyear free-agent deals at the position.
Possible undrafted free agents to watch
- Iowa DE Joe Evans
- Iowa State LB Gerry Vaughn
- Iowa DL Noah Shannon
- Iowa OL Rusty Feth
- Iowa State DB Ben Nikkel
- Iowa State K Chase Contreraz
Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com
Sign up for our curated Iowa Hawkeyes athletics newsletter at thegazette.com/hawks.
