NFL Network analyst: Bulaga could crack top 5

An NFL team could select Iowa offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga as high as No. 5 overall in this year's NFL draft, NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said on a conference call today.

"Bulaga to me is going to be one of the four offensive tackles that could possibly go in the first nine picks," Mayock said. "If you think about Scott Pioli, the GM of the Kansas City Chiefs, is a good friend and admirer of (Iowa Coach) Kirk Ferentz. He loves the type of technician that Kirk develops with offensive linemen. So it wouldn't surprise me if he went as early as No. 5 to Kansas City."

Bulaga, a 6-foot-6, 315-pound three-year starter at Iowa, was named the 2009 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year. He also was tabbed a second-team All-American. Iowa last had a first-round pick in 2006 when linebacker Chad Greenway went No. 17 overall to the Minnesota Vikings. Iowa's last top 10 pick was offensive tackle Robert Gallery, who went No. 2 overall to Oakland in 2004.

Mayock ranks Bulaga second among available offensive tackles for this year's draft.

Mayock also was sold on several other Iowa players, including linebackers Pat Angerer and A.J. Edds, and cornerback Amari Spievey. Angerer and Spievey were first-team all-Big Ten selections,while Edds was named second-team.

"Angerer the inside linebacker, is one of the toughest players in this year's draft," Mayock said. "I love his production. He's a downhill, between-the-tackles thumper. I think he's a third- or fourth-round pick, and I think he's one of those really solid football players that immediately makes you football team tougher."

"As far as corners, Spievey, I like him a lot as a physical, press, cover-2-type corner. I'm anxious to see what he runs; he's only a junior so we don't have any height, weight, speed on him. He's one of those Iowa corners that also could translate, a la Charles Godfrey, to free safety, which adds to his versatility.

"Don't forget about AJ Edds, the outside linebacker who had five interceptions last year. He played in the Senior Bowl, he's a draftable kid. Because of his play on special teams, he should find a home in the NFL."

Those four players join tackle Kyle Calloway, tight end Tony Moeaki and offensive lineman Dace Richardson at this weekend's

NFL Combine in Indianapolis. The draft is held April 22-24.