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When is the NFL draft? See prospect grades for Iowa, Iowa State players.

Published

3 weeks ago

April 4, 2026

When is the NFL draft? See prospect grades for Iowa, Iowa State players.

The 2026 NFL Combine has passed, Pro Days have wrapped up, and scouts and front‑office personnel from across the league are finishing their draft boards in preparation for April’s NFL Draft.

Here’s what to know about the 2026 NFL draft.

When is the 2026 NFL draft?

The 2026 NFL draft will begin with the first round on Thursday, April 23. Rounds 2 and 3 occur the following day, and the draft will conclude on its third day with Rounds 4-7 on Saturday, April 25.

Where is the 2026 NFL draft?

Pittsburgh — home of the Steelers — will host the 2026 NFL draft.

How to watch the 2026 NFL draft

Live coverage of the NFL draft can be found on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and the NFL Network. Coverage is also available on NFL+, ESPN Select, ESPN Unlimited and Fubo TV.

Thursday, April 23: Round 1 starts at 7 p.m. CT
Friday, April 24: Round 2 and Round 3 start at 6 p.m. CT
Saturday, April 25: Rounds 4-7 start at 11 a.m. CT

Watch the NFL Draft on ESPN+

How are NFL draft prospects graded?

Using NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein’s grading scale, players are evaluated based on their physical traits, on-field performance and projected role. Here’s how that scale breaks down.

8: Perfect prospect
7.3-7.5: Perennial All-Pro
7.0-7.1: Pro Bowl talent
6.7-6.9: Year 1 starter
6.5-6.6: Boom-or-bust potential
6.40-6.49: Will become a good starter within two years
6.30-6.39: Will eventually be plus starter
6.20-6.29: Will eventually be an average starter
6.10-6.19: Good backup with the potential to develop into a starter
6.0-6.09: Traits or talent to be above-average backup
5.80-5.99: Average backup or special-teamer
5.60-5.69: Candidate for bottom of roster or practice squad
5.50-5.59: Priority undrafted free agent

For context, the highest-graded player in the year’s entire draft class was former Ohio State linebacker/defensive end Arvell Reese, who earned a rating of 7.04. Reese ran the fastest 40-yard dash at the defensive end position, clocking a 4.46, and is considered a top-five draft pick after earning All-American and Big Ten Linebacker of the Year honors in 2025.

Similar to high school recruiting rankings, these evaluations aren’t an exact science. They’re projections, and players can ultimately exceed or fall short of them.

For example, before becoming a multiple-time Pro Bowler, George Kittle received a 5.90 grade. Similarly, former Iowa State Cyclones football quarterback Brock Purdy was given a 5.57 rating before outperforming that projection at the NFL level.

What Iowa football players are graded ahead of the 2026 NFL draft?

Here is a breakdown of the prospect grades for Iowa football players according to NFL.com. Combine data, including 40‑yard dash and vertical jump results, is listed where available, though not all 2026 draft‑eligible players were invited to or participated in the Combine.

Gennings Dunker, offensive line: 6.24 (Will eventually be an average starter) − Fifth out of 24 guards in highest prospect grade, according to NFL.com
- 40-yard dash: 5.18 seconds (20th out of 39 offensive linemen)
- Vertical jump: 32.5″ (tied 5th out of the 40 offensive linemen)
- 20-yard shuttle: 4.63 seconds (3rd out of 12 offensive linemen)
Logan Jones, center: 6.2 (Will eventually be an average starter)− Tied fourth out of 15 centers in prospect grade.
- 40-yard dash: 4.90 seconds (1st out of 39 offensive linemen)
- 3-cone drill: 7.46 seconds (2nd out of 14 offensive linemen)
- 20-yard shuttle: 4.53 seconds (2nd out of 12 offensive linemen)

TJ Hall, defensive back: 5.98 (Average backup or special-teamer) − 16th out of 33 defensive backs in prospect grade.
- 40-yard dash: 4.59 seconds (14th out of 20 cornerbacks)
- Vertical jump: 36″ (12th out of the 23 cornerbacks)
- 20-yard shuttle: 4.19 seconds (2nd out of 5 cornerbacks)
Kaden Wetjen, wide receiver: 5.98 (Average backup or special-teamer) − 21st out of 55 wide receivers in prospect grade.
- 40-yard dash: 4.47 seconds (tied 15th out of 34 wide receivers)
- Vertical jump: 35.5″ (13th out of 30 wide receivers)
- 3 cone drill: 6.95 seconds (3rd out of 7 wide receivers)
Beau Stephens, offensive line: 5.97 (Average backup or special-teamer) − 10th out of 24 guards in prospect grade.
- 40-yard dash: 5.35 seconds (27th out of 39 offensive linemen)
- Vertical jump: 28″ (tied 14th out of 40 offensive linemen)
- Broad jump: 8.6″ (15th out of 40 offensive linemen)
Max Llewellyn, defensive end: 5.97 (Average backup or special-teamer) − Tied 28th out of 41 defensive ends in prospect grade.
- 40-yard dash: 4.81 seconds (15th out of 20 defensive ends)
- Vertical jump: 32.5″ (tied 12th out of 17 defensive ends)
- Broad jump: 9.7″ (tied 10th out of 16 defensive ends)
Drew Stevens, kicker: 5.81 (Average backup or special-teamer) − Tied second out of three kickers in prospect grade.
- No specialists (kicker, punter) participated in any measurable athletic drills during the NFL Combine.

Xavier Nwankpa, safety: 5.69 (Candidate for bottom of roster or practice squad) − Tied 22nd out of 28 safeties in prospect grade.
- 40-yard dash: 4.48 seconds (8th out of 14 safeties)
- 10-yard split: 1.62 seconds (tied 9th out of 14 safeties)
- Vertical jump: 37.5″ (6th out of 16 safeties)
Karson Sharar, linebacker: 5.68 (Candidate for bottom of roster or practice squad)− Tied 24th out of 32 linebackers in prospect grade.
- Vertical jump: 40″ (tied 2nd out of 14 linebackers)
- 40-yard dash: 4.56 seconds (5th out of 12 linebackers)
- Broad jump: 10.3″ (5th out of 14 linebackers)

Which Iowa State football player is graded ahead of the 2026 NFL draft?

Out of the more than 350 players given a draft prospect grade by NFL.com, only one Cyclone was recognized among the prospects.

Iowa State defensive lineman Domonique Orange was rated the fifth highest out of 34 defensive tackles with a prospect grade of 6.24 (will eventually be an average starter). The 2025 All-Big 12 third-team member is the 78th highest-rated player according to NFL.com.

The Kansas City native was invited to the 2026 NFL Draft Combine and appeared in Indianapolis to interview with teams, but opted not to participate in the on‑field drills. Most mock drafts have Orange projected as a Day 2 NFL draft pick.

Last year’s starting offensive linemen, James Neal III and Jim Bonifas, were among about a dozen former Cyclones who participated in Iowa State’s Pro Day on March 24 to raise their draft profiles or improve their chances of signing as undrafted free agents.

Northern Iowa also held its pro day on March 23, while Iowa hosted its on March 26, which featured all of the aforementioned players along with former Hawkeyes such as quarterback Mark Gronowski and defensive lineman Aaron Graves, all of whom worked out in front of scouts from all 32 NFL teams.

Kadyn Proctor graded as a top NFL Draft prospect

NFL.com gave former Southeast Polk football star Kadyn Proctor a 6.45 prospect grade, claiming he “Will become a good starter within two years.” Proctor tied with former Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson as the 10th-highest rated prospect, according to NFL.com.

ESPN projects the former Alabama offensive lineman to be drafted with the 24th pick by the Cleveland Browns. Proctor, a native of Des Moines, is fourth among all offensive lineman prospects according to USA TODAY.

Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.

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Iowa

Iowa football 2026 NFL Draft recap

Published

42 minutes ago

April 26, 2026

Press Room

The 2026 NFL Draft has come and gone, but not without the Iowa Hawkeyes once again sending a healthy group to the next level. Iowa saw another class of NFL prospects hear their names called and find out where their new homes will be.

As is the norm for Iowa, this draft class was headlined by offensive linemen, linebackers, and defensive line talent, which is fitting. This is how Iowa wins so many games under Kirk Ferentz, and it is a direct correlation to this program’s ability to mold and develop talent into NFL stars.

While this class of draft prospects gets set to make their way to their new NFL homes, check out the recap of where each player is headed, along with where they were taken in this year’s draft.

Logan Jones

Oct 11, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Logan Jones (65) celebrates a touchdown in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ross Harried-Imagn Images

Team: Chicago Bears

Round: 2

Pick: 57

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Iowa

Seahawks Select Iowa Guard Beau Stephens With 148th Overall Pick | 2026 NFL Draft

Published

13 hours ago

April 25, 2026

Press Room

Seahawks Select Iowa Guard Beau Stephens With 148th Overall Pick | 2026 NFL Draft

Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and president of football operations John Schneider met with media following day one of the NFL draft and discuss the decision to stay and pick at 32, what makes running back Jadarian Price special, how Price will fit into the offense and more at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.

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Iowa

Steelers Land Fan Favorite Iowa OL With Third-Round Pick

Published

1 day ago

April 25, 2026

Press Room

Steelers Land Fan Favorite Iowa OL With Third-Round Pick

The Pittsburgh Steelers continue beefing up their offensive line in the 2026 NFL Draft after previously taking Arizona State tackle Max Iheanachor in the first round.

After trading picks No. 99 and 216 to the Seattle Seahawks for No. 96, the Steelers selected Iowa’s Gennings Dunker.

Dunker was a right tackle for the Hawkeyes, where he was a huge part of helping the team win the Joe Moore Award in 2025 as the nation’s top offensive line.

As for how he projects to the next level, however, Dunker is likely to move inside for the Steelers at 6-foot-5 and 319 pounds and could compete with Spencer Anderson and Brock Hoffman for the starting job at left guard.

Dunker is a better run blocker than pass protector, but he is feisty in all facets of the game and possesses a ton of strength while also being rather technically sound.

A fan-favorite with his mullet and contagious personality, Dunker should fit right in with Pittsburgh.

Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Gennings Dunker (67) warms up before a football game against the Indiana Hoosiers Sept. 27, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. | Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

James Campen Offers Thoughts on Dunker

Speaking with reporters after the pick was made, Steelers offensive line coach James Campen listed some of the traits that drew him to Dunker.

“He is an aggressive kid,” Campen said. “Good football player. They’re so well-coached at Iowa. They come out and have established pad level and footwork. I’ve got a lot of respect for that football program, and the people who run it, but to be able to get a guy like him, a big, powerful kid that has position flexibility and has shown leadership in his play, his play style is really unique.”

While confirming that he is slated to primarily line up at guard, Campen also shared that Dunker’s Senior Bowl participation allowed his leadership to shine through.

“You always look for guys that are first in line doing things that are challenging or different like he did at the Senior Bowl. He was first in line to go and do new drills and things like that. So I’m sure there’s some leadership qualities there too.

“But we’re very excited to have him and to add to the O-line room. We’ll get him in here and take a look at him. I think at this point he’ll be at the guard position, and tackle will be his second position. But again, when you get players like this, you can always try to figure out which way he’s going to go. So, competition is good in those areas. So, he’ll probably end up playing a little bit of both, but primarily guard.”

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