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The NFL draft is rapidly approaching, and like clockwork, the Iowa Hawkeyes are going to be well represented with their contingency being picked to play on Sundays.

Iowa is sending players on both sides of the ball, as they have so often done, who will be contributing like many current Hawkeyes are already doing in the NFL.

As the NFL draft approaches, take a look at where the Hawkeyes are predicted to go in CBS Sports’ newest mock draft.

Kaleb Johnson, RB

Pick: Round 4 – No. 113, Dallas Cowboys

Kaleb Johnson sees his name called by one of the NFL’s premier franchises. He gets the opportunity to bolster an offense featuring Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb in the passing game and can now be the workhorse for them on the ground.

Jermari Harris, CB

Pick: Round 4 – No. 121, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jermari Harris bolsters the Bucs’ secondary with his experience and veteran play that he can bring from the jump. He gets the opportunity to jump into a situation where he could see the playoffs very early in his career.

Sebastian Castro, S

Pick: Round 5 – No. 140, Carolina Panthers

Sebastian Castro has extreme versatility, as displayed at Iowa, to play in the run game or pass game, and that skill set gives the Panthers a chess piece that they drastically need as they continue their rebuild.

Connor Colby, OG

Pick: Round 6 – No. 181, Los Angeles Chargers

This pick just makes sense. Connor Colby is a hard-nosed Big Ten offensive lineman who takes his talents to a team led by Jim Harbaugh. He can be a great blocker in the run game and add depth up front.

Yahya Black, DL

Pick: Round 6 – No. 191, Denver Broncos

The Broncos are a young, exciting team looking to bolster gaps after making a surprise playoff run last year. Yahya Black gives them a monstrous presence on the defensive line who can plug gaps and slow down running games.

Jay Higgins, LB

Pick: Round 6 – No. 195, Los Angeles Rams

The Rams need to enhance their linebackers, and they get a consummate pro in Jay Higgins late in the draft. Higgins can plug in from the start and provide the Rams a long-term linebacker solution.

Luke Lachey, TE

Pick: Round 7 – No. 228, Detroit Lions

It wouldn’t be an NFL draft without an Iowa tight end off the board. Luke Lachey gets to reunite with fellow Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta to add depth to an already explosive Lions’ offense.

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DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa Capitol Bureau) – You could save some money on several household items if some Iowa House Republicans get their proposal approved. They want to eliminate the sales tax on things like toilet paper, laundry detergent and vitamin supplements.

Laundry day may soon not take as much of your check on payday. State Rep. Christian Hermanson supports a bill that would eliminate sales tax on laundry detergent.

“I was actually frankly a little surprised that these items hadn’t been previously exempted,” he said.

The Consumer Price Index shows toilet paper prices went up another half a percent since November. Another legislative proposal they’re rolling out would tear off some of that cost by exempting it from sales tax.

“I think every little bit where the state can lean in and loosen the burden of sales tax on a family, on daily necessities like toilet paper or fragrance free, or just detergent in general, is probably a good thing,” he said.

Another proposal would eliminate the sales tax on vitamins and supplements. State sales tax in Iowa is 6%. If a bottle of supplements cost $10, it’d save 60 cents.

The democrat, on the subcommittee, Rep. Aime Wichtendahl, says proposals like this could help Iowans financially and physically healthier.

“Any amount of money that we can put back into people’s pockets at the checkout line is always a good thing. As I mentioned, it certainly can help people lead healthier lives who have dietary supplements and vitamins. I think at the end of the day you’re saving a little bit of money and being a little bit healthier,” she said.

If you’re wondering why Republicans picked toilet paper, laundry detergent, and supplement specifically…..“I don’t actually have any information on that. I just got these handed to me yesterday,” Hermanson said.

But – he hopes Iowans can catch a break at the checkout line.

We’ll get an updated look at national inflation numbers Thursday when the next Consumer Price Index report comes out.

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Conner Hendricks covers state government and politics for Gray Media-owned stations in Iowa. Email him at conner.hendricks@gray.tv; and follow him on Facebook at Conner Hendricks TV on X/Twitter @ConnerReports, and on TikTok @ConnerReports.

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