116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
NFL mock drafts: Where Iowa, Iowa State players are projected
Next Thursday could be a historic night for the Iowa football program.
If both T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant are selected, Iowa will become the first school with a pair of tight ends drafted in the first round
Most mock drafts have Hockenson safely in the top 32, while Fant is a very real option for many teams on opening night as well.
Let's take a look at what prognosticators from around the NFL Draft media landscape are saying about prospects from Iowa and Iowa State as the draft gets closer.
Most mock drafts aren't going seven rounds deep, or in some cases even three, so there is more analysis below for first-round projections. Click the links to take a deeper dive into these reporters' work.
T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
Team: Green Bay Packers
Round: 1
Pick: 12
Team: Buffalo Bills
Round: 1
Pick: 9
Key analysis: '… the best tight end in the class and a true upgrade as a blocker and pass-catcher …'
Team: Detroit Lions
Round: 1
Pick: 8
Key analysis: '… Hockenson's rare combination of size, speed and athleticism should make him an immediate high-impact weapon for Matthew Stafford.'
Gary Davenport, Bleacher Report
Team: Green Bay Packers
Round: 1
Pick: 12
Key analysis: 'It's been a good long while since we saw a tight end prospect as well-rounded as Hockenson entering the NFL.'
More coverage
Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson still feeling the black and gold
INDIANAPOLIS - The Hawkeyes have four players here at the NFL combine and they're all early entries into the draft.
Team: Green Bay Packers
Round: 1
Pick: 12
Team: Denver Broncos
Round: 1
Pick: 10
Key analysis: 'He's a dynamic tight end, and while it's tough for rookies at this position to come in and make a huge impact, I do believe he could be one of the exceptions to the rule.'
Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Round: 1
Pick: 7
Key analysis: '… Hockenson is better than any offensive tackle in this draft, and his blocking makes him a dual purpose pick.'
Team: Green Bay Packers
Round: 1
Pick: 12
Key analysis: '… if Hockenson is available, he's just the smart choice for the Packers. Aaron Rodgers has never really had a tight end who can do what Hockenson can do.'
Team: Cincinnati Bengals
Round: 1
Pick: 11
Key analysis: 'Hockenson can be the next great all-around player at the position with his hands, physicality, smarts and agility.'
Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Round: 1
Pick: 20
Key analysis: 'Throwback tight end who blocks like a lineman and catches like a receiver.'
Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Round: 1
Pick: 20
Key analysis: 'While there is a decent chance Hockenson is drafted before this pick, it wouldn't be surprising if he is still available …'
Team: Detroit Lions
Round: 1
Pick: 14 (trade)
Key analysis: '… a bona fide No. 1 tight end for the passing offense that will improve both the blocking up front and Matthew Stafford's passing-game options.'
Team: Tennessee Titans
Round: 1
Pick: 19
Key analysis: 'And he can block.'
Team: Detroit Lions
Round: 1
Pick: 8
Key analysis: 'The Lions could get help for their run game and passing game with Hockenson, and it's a big position of need.'
DJ Boyer, Buddy Andrade, DraftSite
Team: Green Bay Packers
Round: 1
Pick: 12
Key analysis: Athletic and physical TE who is equally effective in the run or pass game."
Luke Easterling, The Draft Wire
Team: Green Bay Packers
Round: 1
Pick: 12
Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
Team: Green Bay Packers
Round: 1
Pick: 30
Key analysis: "Fant won't block much (yet), but he'll outrun a few defensive backs and score a few touchdowns.'
Team: Tennessee Titans
Round: 1
Pick: 19
Team: Green Bay Packers
Round: 1
Pick: 12
Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Round: 1
Pick: 7
Key analysis: 'Given all the hype around quarterbacks and defenders, it is easy to forget about a high-upside tight end like Noah Fant out of Iowa. But NFL teams won't forget.'
Team: Tennessee Titans
Round: 1
Pick: 19
Key analysis: 'He's the type of reliable target that could help Marcus Mariota. He can also stretch the field, something the Titans need.'
More coverage
Frustrations of the season in the rearview mirror, Iowa tight end Noah Fant is ready for takeoff
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., - Yes, Noah Fant will participate in Iowa's pro day on March 25. That should answer at least some of your questions on the Omaha, Neb., native's relationship with the program.
Team: Oakland Raiders
Round: 1
Pick: 24
Key analysis: 'Athletically gifted tight end whose speed poses problems for linebackers and size causes headaches for defensive backs.'
Team: Oakland Raiders
Round: 1
Pick: 24
Key analysis: '… Fant would … give the offense a dynamic inside threat to complement Antonio Brown and the outside weapons.'
Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Round: 1
Pick: 20
Key analysis: 'He's not going to be a blocking option like Jesse James, but he's a heck of a receiver who makes the offense more dynamic.'
Team: Green Bay Packers
Round: 1
Pick: 30
Key analysis: '… an outstanding pass-catching tight end.'
Team: Green Bay Packers
Round: 1
Pick: 30
Key analysis: 'Fant isn't your typical tight end, and he could add another pass catcher to the mix to help spur the offense.'
DJ Boyer, Buddy Andrade, DraftSite
Team: Oakland Raiders
Round: 1
Pick: 27
Key analysis: "Smaller, athletic TE who is a great chess piece in the passing game."
Luke Easterling, The Draft Wire
Team: Oakland Raiders
Round: 1
Pick: 27
Amani Hooker, S, Iowa
Team: Carolina Panthers
Round: 2
Pick: 47
Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Round: 3
Pick: 69
Key analysis: '… Hooker's ball skills come in handy for a secondary that just lost Tashaun Gipson to a division foe.'
Team: San Francisco 49ers
Round: 3
Pick: 67
More coverage
Amani Hooker will be the latest addition to Iowa's NFL defensive back network
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Amani Hooker said Desmond King is his mentor. Then, he mentioned Josh Jackson as a mentor. Micah Hyde also made the list.
Team: Kansas City Chiefs
Round: 3
Pick: 92
'… a versatile safety who can spot up on tight ends, serving as a natural replacement for Eric Berry next to free-agent addition Tyrann Mathieu.'
DJ Boyer, Buddy Andrade, DraftSite
Team: Arizona Cardinals
Round: 4
Pick: 104
Luke Easterling, The Draft Wire
Team: New Orleans Saints
Round: 2
Pick: 62
Anthony Nelson, DE, Iowa
Team: Los Angeles Chargers
Round: 3
Pick: 91
Team: Seattle Seahawks
Round: 3
Pick: 84
Key analysis: '… a big defensive end who can rush the passer or knock passes down with his long arms …'
More coverage
Iowa's Anthony Nelson knew it was time for the NFL
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Maybe it was a bit of a surprise that Anthony Nelson left the Hawkeyes for the NFL a season early.
DJ Boyer, Buddy Andrade, DraftSite
Team: Chicago Bears
Round: 4
Pick: 126
Key analysis: "A tall, long limbed DE who could play in 4-3 or gain some weight and play 5 technique in a 3-4."
Luke Easterling, The Draft Wire
Team: Carolina Panthers
Round: 3
Pick: 77
David Montgomery, RB Iowa State
Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Round: 3
Pick: 70
Team: Minnesota Vikings
Round: 3
Pick: 81
'Montgomery would serve as a third-down back with some burst and route-running ability to spell Dalvin Cook.'
Team: Minnesota Vikings
Round: 3
Pick: 81
More coverage
Iowa State's David Montgomery is taking everyone with him
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - David Montgomery is carrying a ton of people and places around the NFL combine this week.
Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Round: 3
Pick: 80 (trade)
Key analysis: '… a new potential feature back … who some feel is the best runner in the class.'
DJ Boyer, Buddy Andrade, DraftSite
Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Round: 3
Pick: 69
Key analysis: "Workhorse RB who is a dual threat for an offense."
Luke Easterling, The Draft Wire
Team: Buffalo Bills
Round: 3
Pick: 74
Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa State
Team: Seattle Seahawks
Round: 3
Pick: 84
Key analysis: 'His inconsistency has him lower on my board than some teams, but getting him at No. 84 would be good value.'
Team: Detroit Lions
Round: 3
Pick: 88
Team: Carolina Panthers
Round: 2
Pick: 47
More coverage
Iowa State's Hakeem Butler and Megatron-ness
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - During his NFL combine interview on Friday, Iowa State wide receiver Hakeem Butler was asked about his workouts with Calvin Johnson.
Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Round: 3
Pick: 66
Key analysis: '… slips due to concerns about drops.'
DJ Boyer, Buddy Andrade, DraftSite
Team: San Francisco 49ers
Round: 2
Pick: 36
Key analysis: "Tall WR with incredible arm length and catch radius."
Luke Easterling, The Draft Wire
Team: Baltimore Ravens
Round: 1
Pick: 22
Iowa tight end T J Hockenson runs the 40-yard dash during the 2019 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on March 2, 2019. (Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports)
Iowa tight end Noah Fant runs the 40-yard dash during the 2019 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on March 2, 2019. (Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports)
Iowa defensive back Amani Hooker runs down the sideline after intercepting a pass against Illinois at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018. (The Gazette)
Iowa defensive end Anthony Nelson (98) celebrates after sacking Minnesota quarterback Zack Annexstad at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn., on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Iowa State running back David Montgomery breaks free from Texas Tech linebacker Dakota Allen on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018 at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames. (Matthew Putney/Freelance)
Iowa State wide receiver Hakeem Butler pulls in a reception he would run in for a touchdown against Texas Tech at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. (Matthew Putney/Freelance)
Daily Newsletters