Iowa Football: 2018 NFL Draft Predictions For The Hawkeyes 2.0

In volume one of the predictions five Hawkeyes were in my selections for players that would get the phone call from a coach or general manager welcoming them to a new club. Since that time, Iowa has won a bowl game, and had official declarations of heading to the NFL.

Despite only coming away with eight wins on the season, the Hawkeyes have a host of players that will draw interest in the coming months. With scouts able to see some of them at the Senior Bowl, Pro Days, and the Combine, the hope is that the right matches will be made for the Iowa players that had great successes in their college careers.

A lot of different factors can change over the next several months that can make a player a ‘riser’ or ‘faller’ on the nights of the Draft. And, getting drafted isn’t always the final option for them, as many Hawkeyes find their ways onto the 53 via the undrafted route.

JOSH JACKSON CB

For one player that will not be going undrafted will be cornerback Josh Jackson. The All-American from Texas officially declared at the beginning of January after many draft experts have already listed him as the top corner in the draft (in a deep CB year) How high can Jackson go?

With his athleticism and ball-hawk skills, it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility for Jackson to get close to the top ten. It would be the first time a Hawkeye get in the first ten players since Brandon Scherff. In the last installment, Jackson was headed to the northwest to the Seahawks. But now I see him going any higher as he surely will excel at the combine.

Prediction

#15 Overall (1st Round Arizona Cardinals)

JOSEY JEWELL LB

Josey Jewell has been on the All-American/award circuit with his defensive comrade Josh Jackson in December and January. But, it will soon be time for one of the great Hawkeyes to prove himself once more to the NFL talent departments.

Will Jewell be pigeon-toed at the next level as being an inside linebacker only which could limit his projected value? Will his college production and leadership skills overshadow any doubts that GM’s might have about his speed? Anyone who has watched Iowa games knows that the team that takes Jewell will be getting ‘one heck’ of a football player.

Prediction

(3rd Round Tennessee Titans)

JAMES DANIELS C

James Daniels made the decision to skip his senior season in Iowa City in favor of getting a jump start on his pro career. For a player that has played in each of his three seasons at Iowa, the Daniels camp must be confident that his draft prospects couldn’t have improved by partaking in the 2018 season.

Daniels was one of the more athletic offensive lineman that Iowa has had in the Kirk Ferentz era, and could become one of the next greats on the next level, a la Marshall Yanda.

Prediction 

(4th Round Washington Redskins)

AKRUM WADLEY RB

Wadley is coming into a draft that features many running backs that could make an impact day 1 in camp.

But, with the success seen across the league with pass catching running backs like Alvin Kamara and Christian McCaffrey. Some team could get a real steal in the middle round’s investing in the hard to tackle Wadley.

Prediction

(5th Round Indianapolis Colts) 

SEAN WELSH G/C

Our own Bryan Dietzler at Dear Old Gold broke down the prospects in the draft for the versatile lineman Sean Welsh. Welsh could be a player helped by Iowa’s stellar reputation for producing dependable lineman at the next level.

Prediction

(5th Round Philadelphia Eagles)

Undrafted Free Agents:

Ben Niemann- Minnesota Vikings

Ike Boettger- Houston Texans

James Butler- Los Angeles Rams

Matt VandeBerg- Chicago Bears

Bo Bower- Kansas City Chiefs