Kiper: Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi could eventually replace Colts' Peyton Manning?

ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper said today Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi could find a home in Indianapolis in next week's draft.

Kiper said Stanzi projects anywhere from the third to fifth rounds, and he's slotting Stanzi in the fourth.

"The Colts would be a team that would look at him if they are looking to an heir apparent to Peyton Manning or bringing in a young quarterback," Kiper said in a conference call. "He'd be more attractive than the others in my opinion at that point because the others are going to be gone."

"The possibility of (Stanzi) being a third-round pick? Yeah, it's there. I'll put him in the fourth right now."

Stanzi, a Mentor, Ohio native, was a three-year starter at Iowa and led the Hawkeyes to three bowl victories.

Kiper said Iowa defensive end Adrian Clayborn still is a likely first-round pick despite teams' concerns about Clayborn's Erb's Palsy. Clayborn suffered nerve damage in his right shoulder during childbirth.

"We know Clayborn's strengths and his concerns," Kiper said. "I think it's something that he's played with his whole life with that arm. He didn't have the productivity (last season) as he did as a junior when he was considered a top 10 guy. He was considered a top 10 guy even with the arm issue, the Erb's palsy, he's had his whole life.

"I still think he's a first-round pick. Some people put him in the second round, I don't. I've consistently had him at (pick number) 27 to Atlanta, 24 to New Orleans, 20 to Tampa Bay. So I think he goes in the first round."

Clayborn addressed those concerns last week in a television interview with ESPN.

"I can actually lift it, I can do that," Clayborn said, then holding up his right arm. "There's some nerve damage in my right shoulder, not a big deal. But if you're going to pay a guy millions of dollars, I've got to see it. I've got to expect it so. It's understandable, just got to go through the process."

Three other Iowa defenders face more uncertainty in next week's draft. Defensive lineman Christian Ballard, who can play multiple positions, once was considered a potential first-round pick.

"Ballard, I think is more of a late two," Kiper said. "He's got to get a little stronger in the weight room. I think you look at where he is right now, I think maybe late two or early three."

Kiper projects defender Karl Klug as a fourth-round pick. Klug played defensive tackle at Iowa, but likely will play as either a defensive end in a 4-3 scheme or outside linebacker in a 3-4.

Safety Tyler Sash, who left the Hawkeyes one year early, could land anywhere, Kiper said.

"Some have said three, some have told me six," Kiper said. "There's a wide range of opinion on Tyler Sash. He'll probably fall to the fourth but some think three, some think six."