NFL draft preview with capsules of Iowa, Iowa State and UNI prospects

IOWA CITY - Iowa could be staring at a history-making NFL draft this week.

As many as 10 Iowa players could get drafted this weekend and up to 14 could land in NFL training camps this summer. Iowa had nine players drafted in 1945, but that was through 21 rounds. Today's NFL draft lasts seven rounds. Last year, Iowa had six players chosen in the first six rounds, the most since 1976.

At least five Iowa players are virtually assured of getting draft - defensive linemen Adrian Clayborn, Christian Ballard and Karl Klug, quarterback Ricky Stanzi, safety Tyler Sash.

Clayborn, who will attend the NFL draft in person, seems almost a lock to be Iowa's fifth first-round draft choice under Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz. He's one of nine defensive ends considered first-round prospects. But NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said Clayborn could fall to possibly the second round. Clayborn, a consensus All-American, he has a weaker right shoulder caused by nerve damage during childbirth known as Erb's Palsy.

“He's getting dinged the last month or two because of the whole thing with his arm,” Mayock said. “But I keep putting the tape on and seeing a really good football player.”

Three players with Metro-area roots also could be selected. Missouri defensive end Aldon Smith, a former student at Cedar Rapids Washington, could land anywhere from seventh overall to 25th overall. Iowa tight end Allen Reisner, a Marion product, could be a late-round selection. Iowa State center Ben Lamaak, a Cedar Rapids Kennedy graduate, also could get drafted.

ADRIAN CLAYBORN

[naviga:ul]

[naviga:li]Defensive End, Iowa[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]6-2.5, 281[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' Dan Shonka's take: The thing is if people think he's going to be a pass rusher or if he's going to 4-3 run stuffer. I think if you look at his junior tape, outstanding job rushing the passer. He really couldn't be single-blocked. If they tried to double, this year I think they were on the field more he kind of got worn down, the defense was out there a little more.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]NFL Network's Mike Mayock's take: He's getting dinged the last month or two because of the whole thing with his arm, but I keep putting the tape on and seeing a really good football player. So I think teams are shying away from him and there's a chance he could slide through (the first round).[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' projection: First round, New Orleans (24)[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Scott Dochterman's projection: First round, Atlanta (27)[/naviga:li]

[/naviga:ul]

CHRISTIAN BALLARD

[naviga:ul]

[naviga:li]Defensive Tackle/End, Iowa[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]6-4, 285[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' Dan Shonka's take:  I think a lot of the teams are looking at him as a 3-4 end. He's good on the move. He's got good size. He's got to work to bend his hips more and to stay down, he's got a tendency to rise up a little bit which puts you on skates. Christian is as good as he wants to be. If he wants to play with great leverage and get after every play. He can do it.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]NFL Network's Mike Mayock's take: I'm not being negative but I don't where I'd want to play him. He can play the 5-technique, he can play inside. He's the kind of guy on the positive side that can provide positional versatility. On the negative side, you just want to see the same consistency of effort for every snap and he's got to be more stout at the point of attack. But he's got the tools to do all those things.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' projection: Second round, Indianapolis (53)[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Scott Dochterman's projection: Third round, Baltimore (90)[/naviga:li]

[/naviga:ul]

KARL KLUG

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[naviga:li]Defensive Lineman, Iowa[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]6-3, 275[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' Dan Shonka's take: You love football players like Karl Klug. Watching him play he's one of those guys who … I think he's probably going to be a 3-4 rush end, like James Harrison kind of guy. He's got good explosion, he's got good flexibility, he can run a tackle back or a tight end or whoever's trying to block him back to the quarterback. His legs and his body never stop. He's always moving. If you've got a guy like that rushing the passer, you've got a chance to get there because he's a disruptive guy.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]NFL Network's Mike Mayock's take: He's the guy that nobody talks about on that very, very highly publicized defensive line and he may have been the best collegiate player out of all of them. That doesn't mean he's going to be the best NFL player, though. He's a bit of tweener. His height, weight, speed puts him inside but his size would dictate him outside. So he's a tweener where teams are going to have to work hard to find him (a spot). I don't think he can stand up. He's not fast enough to play on the edge. But despite being undersized, he's going to have to play inside and I think teams are going to have to find creative times to use him. Third down, nickel, etc. I think he's going to go in the fourth or fifth round. He was one of my favorite players all year to watch.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' projection: Sixth round, Washington (177)[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Scott Dochterman's projection: Fifth round, Washington (144)[/naviga:li]

[/naviga:ul]

RICKY STANZI

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[naviga:li]Quarterback, Iowa[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]6-4, 221[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' Dan Shonka's take: I think this year he played within himself and not too much try to make the big play which he did the year before and he got stuck. He threw the ball right into coverage. That's great if you've got great arm strength, but his arm strength isn't as good as some of the other guys. Sometimes you've got to know your limitations to keep the chains moving, which is what he did this year at Iowa. He was a chain mover rather than a big play guy like he was before. Hey he saved the tea about 10 turnovers, too. But he's got the good height, he's smart. He and Ponder, one thing they've got in their favor is they're in Pro-Style offenses and Mallett.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]ESPN's Mel Kiper's take:  The possibility of being a third-round pick? Yeah, it's there. I'll put him in the fourth right now.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' projection: Fourth round, Miami (111)[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Scott Dochterman's projection: Third round, San Francisco (76)[/naviga:li]

[/naviga:ul]

TYLER SASH

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[naviga:li]Strong Safety, Iowa[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]6-0, 211[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' Dan Shonka's take: I don't think it hurt him to come out, about a year older than maybe some guys. He's a good rush support player and would like to see him wrap up a little bitter. Sometimes he tries to come and knock the snot out of you and earhole you. He's a good run support player, plays half coverage in teams that are predominantly orientated to halves coverage, like Tampa 2, he's going to be a good fit.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]NFL Network's Mike Mayock's take: People are all over the board with Sash. This is a horrible safety class. He could get pushed up higher. On tape I had him as a fourth round. He could go in the third round depending on what goes on here in the draft because the safety class is so bad. He's just a solid kid that will play special teams and not make many mistakes.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' projection: Fourth round, Buffalo (100)[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Scott Dochterman's projection: Fourth round, Indianapolis (119)[/naviga:li]

[/naviga:ul]

ALLEN REISNER

[naviga:ul]

[naviga:li]Tight End, Iowa[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]6-2, 248[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' Dan Shonka's take: If he can go to a team that will put him on the practice squad that would be the best thing that could happen to him. I really think he's got a lot of talent. He's got excellent hands and I tell you what, he's a scrappy blocker.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' projection: Free agent[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Scott Dochterman's projection: Seventh round, St. Louis (228)[/naviga:li]

[/naviga:ul]

RYAN DONAHUE

[naviga:ul]

[naviga:li]6-2, 193[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Punter, Iowa[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' Dan Shonka's take: It's like a golf swing. He may be the best one week and Chas Henry (of Florida) might be the best one the next week. He does have a chance of going in the league because of hang time[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' projection: Free agent[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Scott Dochterman's projection: Free agent[/naviga:li]

[/naviga:ul]

JULIAN VANDERVELDE

[naviga:ul]

[naviga:li]6-1.7, 300[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Guard/Center, Iowa[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' Dan Shonka's take: He's a guy that's smart and learns quickly. I think teams might move him to center because of his size and he is so smart. He's crafty, he understands what's going on and that's what you need at center. He can make the line calls because he's a smart guy.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' projection: Free agent[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Scott Dochterman's projection: Seventh round, Washington (224)[/naviga:li]

[/naviga:ul]

DERRELL JOHNSON-KOULIANOS

[naviga:ul]

[naviga:li]Wide Receiver, Iowa[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li] 5-11, 200[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' Dan Shonka's take: The league is loaded with guys like DJK. These guys who were highly touted and didn't get drafted, there's one of two reasons. One, it was a drug deal. Two it was an injury. You take a guy like that and there isn't much of an investment and he screws up, he's out of the gate. He's got good hands, he runs good routes, he can return kickoffs. He's got a lot of pluses. I think somebody will sign him as a free agent. Hopefully he learned his lesson. Somebody will probably give him a chance.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' projection: Free agent[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Scott Dochterman's projection:  Seventh round, Tampa Bay (222)[/naviga:li]

[/naviga:ul]

BRETT GREENWOOD

[naviga:ul]

[naviga:li]Safety, Iowa[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]5-11, 194[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' Dan Shonka's take: I think he'll have an opportunity. He's smart, he's instinctive. Anybody that learns quickly they'll have a shot to get into a camp. Coaches don't have time, especially this year.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' projection: Free agent[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Scott Dochterman's projection: Free agent[/naviga:li]

[/naviga:ul]

JEREMIHA HUNTER

[naviga:ul]

[naviga:li]Linebacker, Iowa[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]6-0, 233[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' Dan Shonka's take: He was consistent at Iowa. He did a lot of good things. He may be a late draft choice. It wouldn't surprise me if he got drafted late.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' projection: Free agent[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Scott Dochterman's projection: Free agent[/naviga:li]

[/naviga:ul]

JEFF TARPINIAN

[naviga:ul]

[naviga:li]Linebacker, Iowa[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]6-2, 235[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' Dan Shonka's take: He ran real well. He's got enough talent to get into a camp and show what he can do.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' projection: Free agent[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Scott Dochterman's projection: Seventh round, Buffalo (245)[/naviga:li]

[/naviga:ul]

BRETT MORSE

[naviga:ul]

[naviga:li]Fullback, Iowa[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]6-2, 239[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' Dan Shonka's take: The problem with fullback is it's such a dinosaur position. They're using H-backs and a guy like (Allen) Reisner might be your H-back guy who can block and kick out. There just aren't many teams looking for fullbacks anymore.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' projection: Free agent[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Scott Dochterman's projection: Free agent[/naviga:li]

[/naviga:ul]

ANDY SCHULZE

[naviga:ul]

[naviga:li]Long Snapper, Iowa[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]6-4.5, 260[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' Dan Shonka's take: They're always looking for good long snappers in the league and it only takes one team to fall in love with you. You might have $500,000 job for the next five or 10 years and all you have to do is snap.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' projection: Free agent[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Scott Dochterman's projection: Free agent

[/naviga:li]

[/naviga:ul]

BEN LAMAAK

[naviga:ul]

[naviga:li]Center/Guard, Iowa State[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]6-4.2, 302[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' Dan Shonka's take: He might get drafted late because he's versatile. He started at guard, tackle and center at Iowa State. He's a competitive guy, the thing he's got to work on is his hip flexibility. In the scheme that they were in, they were supposed to wall people off. So techniquewise, Ben's got stuff to learn. But his arm grew two inches from the spring workout.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' projection: Seventh round, Philadelphia (240)[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Scott Dochterman's projection: Seventh round, Minnesota (236)[/naviga:li]

[/naviga:ul]

DAVID SIMS

[naviga:ul]

[naviga:li]Safety, Iowa State[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]5-9, 203[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' Dan Shonka's take: A good safety, just a little bit undersized. A good run support player but has a tough time covering deep. If you're looking for somebody to play close to the line of scrimmage, to support the run, he's your guy.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' projection: Free agent[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Scott Dochterman's projection: Sixth round, N.Y. Giants (185)[/naviga:li]

[/naviga:ul]

MICHAEL O'CONNELL

[naviga:ul]

[naviga:li]Safety, Iowa State[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]5-11, 200[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' Dan Shonka's take: He's one of those guys I hope get into a camp. Great kid, smart, instinticle, had a great workout at their Pro Day, which might have been enough to get him into a camp. Maybe he'll have to go the UFL route to get an opportunity but smart, tough guys get a chance. Hopefully he'll get an opportunity somewhere.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' projection: Free agent[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Scott Dochterman's projection: Free agent[/naviga:li]

[/naviga:ul]

COLLIN FRANKLIN

[naviga:ul]

[naviga:li]Tight End, Iowa State[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]6-5.5, 256[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' Dan Shonka's take: I love his hands. I think he may get drafted late. He can catch, he has excellent hands. He might get a shot as a slot tight end guy[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' projection: Free agent[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Scott Dochterman's projection:  Seventh round, Arizona (249)[/naviga:li]

[/naviga:ul]

ALEXANDER ROBINSON

[naviga:ul]

[naviga:li]Running Back, Iowa State[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]5-9, 187[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' Dan Shonka's take: He was productive, he followed his blocks. He wasn't really a creative runner, but he cut well off his blockers. Of course in the spread you have those seams up there. You can't have enough running backs in camp because they go down.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' projection: Free agent[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Scott Dochterman's projection: Free agent[/naviga:li]

[/naviga:ul]

AUSTEN ARNAUD

[naviga:ul]

[naviga:li]Quarterback, Iowa State[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]6-2.7, 229[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' Dan Shonka's take: The best thing he could do is try Canada. He might be a Canadian kind of guy because of his mobility and things. His accuracy is off and for every good play, he made a bad play. If he gets a UFL or a deal in Canada, he can be a backup for a few years and make some money.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' projection: Free agent[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Scott Dochterman's projection: Free agent[/naviga:li]

[/naviga:ul]

SCHUYLAR OORDT

[naviga:ul]

[naviga:li]Tight End, Northern Iowa[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]6-5.7, 261[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' Dan Shonka's take: He ran good at the Combine in the 4.6-4.7 range. He's got good height, he's got good hands. He did well at the combine. I think he's got a chance to get drafted and at worst he'll sign as a free agent.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ourlads' projection: Seventh round, Miami (218)[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Scott Dochterman's projection: Sixth round, Green Bay (197)[/naviga:li]

[/naviga:ul]

NFL Draft

Thursday: First round, 7 p.m., ESPN, NFL Network

Friday: Rounds two and three, 5 p.m., ESPN (5-7 p.m.), ESPN2 (7-9:30 p.m.), NFL Network

Saturday: Rounds four through seven, 11 a.m., ESPN, NFL Network

For even more draft coverage from The Gazette, check out these links below:

[naviga:ul]

[naviga:li]Since 2000, Iowa is 18th in NFL draftees[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Sims top hopeful for Iowa State in draft this week[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Hawkeyes are all over the NFL except at one position: Quarterback[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Iowa's Allen Reisner hopes hectic college finish propels him to NFL career[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Former Iowa Hawkeyes Klug, Ballard provide value in NFL draft[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Kiper: Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi could eventually replace Colt's Peyton Manning?[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper says Iowa's Ricky Stanzi, Karl Klug provide good value[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Regina graduate sharpens skills for NFL opportunity[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]NFL.com's take on Iowa football's Pro Day, and video[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]The Wonderlic: Ricky Stanzi's 30 score is basically the norm[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Stanzi hits 30 on Wonderlic[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Sash checks into the NFL[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Entirely new game for Klug[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Morehouse - Combine Day 4[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Time is money for Ballard[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Clayborn's arm, production under the NFL microscope[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Morehouse - Combine Day 3[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Pro-style Stanzi still tinkering[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Morehouse - Combine exit interview[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Morehouse - Combine Day 2[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Vandervelde could be an NFL center[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Reisner again hopes to be a steal[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Donehue: 'I want to show I'm the best punter here'[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Morehouse - At the NFL Combine[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]No Combine invitation, no let-up for NFL hopeful Ben Lamaak of Cedar Rapids Kennedy/Iowa State[/naviga:li]

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