NFL draft capsules, Sports Desk videos of Iowa, ISU players

The monstrously long draft season comes to an end this weekend, which is good in so many ways. First, for the players, to see their name across the television scrawl or hear it called live by the commissioner is a dream come true. Most of them had fought through injuries, 100-degree two-a-days in August, 35-degree windy days in November and countless grueling weight-room sessions to revel in that moment of glory.

It's important for the players because this is their job. Their livelihood. It's where they'll live for the next three or four months. It's how they will be identified for most of their lives. It's kissing their mother with tears rolling down their faces. It's wearing the hat, booking the flight and becoming professionals.

For the rest of us, the draft is important because it ends the eye-rolling dissection that comes with the process. No longer do we have to hear the words "I watched the tape" or "off-the-field concerns" or hear about arm size, hand size, height, weight, speed or explosion. It's about production, which in the end is the best judge.

The draft marries the nation's two most popular sports: pro football and college football. Fans in Iowa, Oklahoma and Alabama are equally as interested as those in Chicago, New York and Washington D.C. for completely different reasons. College fans want to see where their favorite players are going. Pro fans want to see who their team will select. Sometimes it meets in the middle with pro and college fans.

Locally, look for seven-to-11 Iowa or Iowa State drafted this weekend. Iowa tackle Riley Reiff is a virtual first-round lock. I think Iowa State tackle Kelechi Osemele should join him based on ability, but he's probably a second-round choice.

Here's Ourlads Scouting Services General Manager and national scout Dan Shonka talking with me about the Iowa and Iowa State prospects:

Here is a breakdown of each Iowa and Iowa State player entering the draft:

IOWA

Riley Reiff, tackle

6-5 1/2, 313 pounds

Shonka's assessment: "Three-year starter who uses his skills as a three-time state champion wrestler to dominate as a zone-blocking left tackle. Plays in a pro-style offense. An explosive knee bender with good leg drive, strength, and surge. Equally productive as a pass or run blocker. Sets the edge of the offense on the left side with his lateral quickness and range. ... Talented enough to contribute as a first-year starter."

Shonka's grade: First round

Markus Zusevics, tackle

6-5 1/4, 303

Shonka's assessment: "He is tough and competitive. Technically plays the game very well with a good base, balance, agility, and foot quickness. ... Will run through and finish. He must consciously be aware of bending his knees to keep his anchor and not get bulled back. ... Physical player who loves to lock on a defender and give him a ride."

Shonka's grade: Fourth/fifth round

Adam Gettis, guard

6-2 1/4, 293

Shonka's assessment: "Quick and athletic. Can anchor despite his size. Quick feet and savvy enough to handle the inside games, blitzes, and twists. Can take the shock of a bull rush. ... Has the talent athletically to play on Sundays. He will need to get stronger and stay healthy to eventually start."

Shonka's grade: Fifth/sixth round

Mike Daniels, defensive tackle

6-0, 291

Shonka's assessment: "Small and undersized for the position, but is quick and resourceful. An explosive player who plays with leverage and power. Physical inside. Doesn't stay blocked. Quick enough to split a double-team block. Eats up and slips blockers with his quickness. Instinctive in his play. Reads the blocker and can feel the screen."

Shonka's grade: Seventh round/free agent

Tyler Nielsen, linebacker

6-3 1/4, 238

Shonka's assessment: "Face-up tackler who uses his hands well covering the slot receivers. Plays on or off line of scrimmage. Has the speed to cover backs and tight ends. Rarely blitzes but has caused quarterbacks to speed up their delivery. Smart player who understands the whole defense. Not a flashy type of player but is solid. Can do the dirty work."

Shonka's grade: Sixth/seventh round

Shaun Prater, cornerback

5-10 1/4, 192

Shonka's assessment: "Plays with confidence and experience in a zone scheme. Quick feet and ball reactions. Tough and reaction corner. Physical despite size. Very competitive supporting the run. Good field awareness. Does a good job of squeezing the receiver out of bounds. Uses his hands well when he's up on press coverage.

Shonka's grade: Third/fourth round

Marvin McNutt, wide receiver

6-2 1/2, 216

Shonka's assessment: "A physical go-over-the-middle West Coast-offense-type receiver. Big Target with better than average speed. Runs very precise routes. Has courage and toughness. Will concentrate on the ball in a crowd. Asserts self in traffic. Adjusts well to the ball in flight. Finds the ball quickly. Good eye-hand coordination. He will extend and adjust to an off-target ball. Can make the tough catch. Runs like a running back with strength after the catch."

Shonka's grade: Third/fourth round

Broderick Binns, defensive end

6-0 1/4, 262

Shonka's assessment: "He can knock that ball down because he does have those long arms. He's been coached well enough that he can get into the throwing lanes. Say he can't get there on the rush but man he can get there in the passing lane and gets his hands up. That's just as good."

Shonka's grade: Free agent

Jordan Bernstine, safety

5-10, 210

Shonka's assessment: "He looks the part but he didn't really play at Iowa because he had all those injuries. It seems like he's had a lot of hamstring problems. If you have that … free agent would probably be his best hope."

Shonka's grade: Free agent

IOWA STATE

Kelechi Osemele, tackle

6-5 1/2, 333

Shonka's assessment: "Good initial arm punch and use of hands. Locks out and locks on defender. Players smooth, square and balanced in his pass protection. .. Plays with attitude and aggressiveness. Quick initial move and lateral agility to seal the edge in the run game. Can adjust to a power or speed rusher to block the edge in the pass game. ... Some projections move him inside to guard, but you need a cab to ride from one side of him to the other."

Shonka's grade: Second/third round

Leonard Johnson, cornerback

5-9 7/8, 196

Shonka's assessment: "Keeps outside leverage. ... Johnson is all about effort and taking good angles. Very physical for his size. Good wrap-up tackler. Can make the open-field tackle on running backs. Dpes a nice job of cutting off receiver's routes at times. Good ball reactions to play the play the ball in the air."

Shonka's grade: Fourth/fifth round