Iowa football: 2019 NFL Draft preview of Noah Fant

TE Noah Fant is just days away from fulfilling a lifelong dream of playing in the NFL. Here is a breakdown of the former Iowa football player’s draft stock.

If it wasn’t for Noah Fant’s Iowa football teammate TJ Hockenson, Fant would be the talk of the town right now after his incredible combine performance. Fant would also likely be the top tight end drafted in the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft.

That’s at least what was projected last August before the 2018 Iowa football season began. Draft analysts had Fant going in the top 20. He very well could go in the top 20 again this year, but with the loaded edge class and TJ Hockenson to go before Fant, the Omaha native is more than likely going to hear his name called in the last 12 picks of the first round.

Regardless of where he is drafted though, Fant is going to make a big impact wherever he is drafted.

At 6’4’’ and 249 pounds, Fant has the ability to be a mismatch weapon and a rare unicorn in today’s NFL.

His size and explosiveness are virtually unheard of.

In Indianapolis, Fant put on a show running a 4.5-second 40-yard dash, jumping 39.5 inches in the vertical, and showing insane agility with a 6.81-second 3-cone drill and a 4.22-second 20-yard shuttle.

Here’s what the scouts are saying:

•  Great route runner with solid hands
•  Fantastic after the catch (which we all knew)
•  Not the best blocker, but willing. My personal opinion, Fant could be a very good blocking tight end.
•  Mismatch weapon

The Draft Network’s Joe Marino had this to say about Fant.

"His outstanding ball skills and hands make him a dynamic playmaking threat. For a player of his athletic profile, there is technical work needed as a route runner that can be developed to make him even more effective. Additionally, his upside as an in-line blocker is only modest but he does find success on the move hitting blocks."

Here’s what the numbers say:

• 11th most receiving yards by a TE (519)
• 3rd most TD by a TE (7)
• All-American
• First Team All-Big Ten
• School record holder for TDs by a tight end

Projection:

• Picks 10-20 is going to be a mixed back of edge defenders and offensive lineman with a possible sprinkle of QBs in the mix. The earliest I see Fant getting drafted is at 19 by the Tennessee Titans to give Marcus Mariota a suitable weapon to replace the aging Delanie Walker. He could also go to the Steelers at pick 20, but I think Pittsburgh has bigger needs at areas that will likely be readily available at this time (i.e. corner). I am projecting Noah Fant to the Oakland Raiders with their second pick of the first round. He’ll be a great fit within Jon Gruden’s offense and provide Carr (or another QB for that matter) with a great target.

Wherever Fant goes, he’s likely going to be entering a better situation than the one he dealt with at the Iowa football program. He’s going to be a focal point of the offense, and he’s going to receive significantly more targets than he did with the Hawks. Now, to be fair, that was for good reason. Iowa’s offense isn’t exactly a modern day spread passing attack that provides a ton of touches, and Fant was almost as effective as a decoy as he was a pass catcher.

Try telling a 21-year-old kid that though.

The NFL Draft begins at 7 PM CST in Nashville Tennessee and Fant will be in attendance.

If Fant goes to Oakland as expected, he is likely going to hear his name called 3-4 hours later, which will be the start of what projects to be a prosperous and exciting NFL career.