Bulaga getting good buzz in NFL draft conversation

Bryan Bulaga could go as high as No. 5 overall in the NFL draft, NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said Tuesday during a conference call.

“Bulaga to me is going to be one of the four offensive tackles that could possibly go in the first nine picks,” Mayock said.

A 6-foot-6, 315-pound three-year starter at the University of Iowa, Bulaga was named the 2009 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year.

Iowa last had a first-round pick in 2006 when linebacker Chad Greenway went 17th to the Minnesota Vikings. Iowa's last top 10 pick was offensive tackle Robert Gallery, who went second to Oakland in 2004.

Mayock ranks Bulaga second among available offensive tackles. He was sold on several other Iowa players, including linebackers Pat Angerer and A.J. Edds and cornerback Amari Spievey.

“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 your football team tougher.

“As far as corners (are concerned), Spievey, I like him a lot as a physical, press, cover-2-type corner. I'm anxious to see what he runs ... 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 April 22-24.s