After an eventful first night of the 2025 NFL Draft, 32 college football stars heard their names called. We saw trades up and down the board, two tight ends drafted, and Shadeur Sanders left out in the cold.
On night two, the second and third rounds of the NFL Draft take place. It is a chance for 64 more athletes to join the professional ranks. During the first round, no former Iowa Hawkeyes had their names called by commissioner Roger Goodell.
This marks the second consecutive year Iowa has not had a former player taken in the first round. During the 2024 NFL Draft, star defensive back Cooper DeJean was the highest Iowa draft pick. The Philadelphia Eagles selected him with the eighth pick in the second round, and he went on to win the Super Bowl in his rookie year.
During the second and third rounds this year, there are two Hawkeyes to keep an eye on.
Kaleb Johnson (running back)
It cannot be overstated how important Kaleb Johnson was to the Iowa offense in 2024. Johnson compiled 1,537 rushing yards (No. 6 in the nation) and 23 total touchdowns (21 rushing, two receiving) en route to being named a consensus All-American and First Team All-Big Ten.
Johnson is a bruiser (six-foot-one, 224 pounds), but runs with vision. He can hit open holes or plow through wayward defenders. Johnson may not be the fastest runner in this year's running back class, but he uses his superb vision to create holes that are not there.
During his high school career, he excelled at running outside on pitches and quick tosses. The Hawkeyes use a zone-blocking run scheme, and he had to learn to run between the tackles. Any team that needs a running back should not hesitate to take Johnson off the board.
He is projected to go late in the second round to the Kansas City Chiefs or the Washington Commanders. Both teams need running back help with injuries plaguing them, and Johnson can give either team a differnent look.
Selfishly, I want Johnson to be taken by the Chicago Bears with the No. 39 or 41 because he would excel in the new-look Bears offense under new Head Coach Ben Johnson. Johnson LOVES using a two-running back scheme, and KJ could be the thunder to D'Andre Swift's lightning.
Yahya Black (defensive tackle)
Yahya Black had an average NFL Draft Combine (ranked No. 33 overall), but the tools cannot be ignored. Black stands at six feet six, and is a load at 336 pounds. He plugs up holes in the middle of the defensive line and makes it difficult for running backs to run between the tackles.
What Black lacks in technique, he makes up for with his size. He uses his seven-foot wingspan and massive hands to out-maneuver his opponents. Black must be double-teamed because he easily sheds single blockers.
He excels in run defense, but struggles at times with rushing the passer. To be an every-down defensive tackle in the NFL, he must find the right scheme to utilize his physical tools.
Black is projected as a fifth or sixth-round pick, but that is far too low. A team needs to take a chance on him in the middle to late third round because he is such a good run-stopper. A good run-stopping nose tackle is key in the NFL, and you can never have too many.
How and when to watch the second and third rounds
The second round of the 2025 NFL Draft begins on Friday, April 25, at 6:00 p.m. Central Time and is immediately followed by the third round. All rounds of the Draft will air on ABC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and the NFL Network.