Iowa football: Hawkeyes who are tearing up the NFL

We are almost done with the NFL season, and it’s no surprise that there are quite a few former Iowa football players who are dominating. Here’s who.

With just three games left in the NFL regular season, we’re beginning to get a pretty good picture of who is doing well this season. Not much is going to change these opinions in the last three games, and at this time, there are five former Iowa football players that are at or near the top of their position according to Pro Football Focus.

For those of you counting at home, that’s an impressive 7% of the top five players at every position (we included ten for safety) that used to play for the Iowa football program. This also doesn’t include a pair of top-30 tackles, Bryan Bulaga or Riley Reiff, nor does it include rookie center James Daniel who has been playing very well as of late.

George Kittle, 49ers

It’s the year of Iowa football tight ends. In college, Noah Fant and TJ Hockenson continue to collect awards, and at the pro level George Kittle has elevated his game to a level unsurpassed by many of the greatest tight ends in league history. Against Denver this past weekend, Kittle came just a few yards short of breaking the single-game receiving yards record by a tight end. On the season, the explosive tight end has 1,103 yards on 69 receptions.

Personally, I’ll be shocked if he is not an All-Pro. The second-year player is a complete tight end and the only real option that young quarterback Nick Mullens has at his disposal.

Marshall Yanda, Ravens

This six-time Pro Bowler and veteran guard of the Baltimore Ravens is quietly having another outstanding season much like he has throughout his career. The former third round pick out of Iowa is ranked as the third best guard according to Pro Football Focus.

Austin Blythe, Rams

Despite starting all four years under Kirk Ferentz in the Iowa football program, Blythe fell to the 7th round when he was selected by the Colts. His tenure there was short-lived, and he was picked up by the Rams. In his third season (second with the team), Blythe is having a breakout year for one of the NFL’s top teams. He is currently the 5th ranked guard according to PFF.

Desmond King, Chargers

Although he didn’t hear his name called until the 5th round, there wasn’t much doubt by any Iowa football fans that this guy was going to be a heck of a player in the NFL. Through two seasons, it appears we were all correct and 31 other teams have to be kicking themselves for passing on King. He is the top-ranked corner according to Pro Football Focus, and he has three interceptions and two touchdowns on the season (one from an interception and another from a punt return).

Micah Hyde, Bills

Hyde, another former 5th round pick out of Iowa and like King, a recipient of the Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year award is having another superb season. In his sixth season in the NFL, he is one of the few bright spots on the otherwise putrid Buffalo Bills. PFF has him ranked as the seventh best safety in the league.

Depending on how Pro Bowl voting shakes out, we could see all five of these guys receive a Pro Bowl invitation at the conclusion of this season.