Where new NFL Draft grades from The Athletic have Iowa players landing

The NFL Draft is two weeks away, and new prospect grades for more than 50 Iowa college and high school football players have been released.

Here is what to know about the 2026 NFL Draft and a breakdown of the draft projections for Iowa players, according to The Athletic’s “The Beast,” its annual comprehensive NFL Draft scouting guide.

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.

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

How did The Athletic grade Iowa college football players ahead of the 2026 NFL draft?

The Athletic’s “The Beast” report included rankings of players from Iowa, Iowa State, Northern Iowa, Drake, Grand View and Upper Iowa.

• Gennings Dunker, guard: No. 5 out of 159 players at his position
  • Grade: 3rd round projection
• Logan Jones, center: No. 3 out of 78 players at his position
  • Grade: 3rd-4th round projection
• Max Llewellyn, defensive end: No. 18 out of 270 players at his position
  • Grade: 4th round projection
• Beau Stephens, guard: No. 11 out of 159 players at his position
  • Grade: 4th-5th round projection
• TJ Hall, cornerback: No. 24 out of 318 players at his position
  • Grade: 6th round projection
• Kaden Wetjen, wide receiver: No. 30 out of 380 players at his position
  • Grade: 6th round projection

More: An ode to Kaden Wetjen and Drew Stevens, two Iowa football all-timers

• Karson Sharar, linebacker: No. 24 out of 243 players at his position
  • Grade: 7th round projection
• Drew Stevens, kicker: No. 3 out of 40 players at his position
  • Grade: 7th round-free agent projection

• Mark Gronowski, quarterback: No.17 out of 99 players at his position
  • Grade: 7th round-free agent projection
• Xavier Nwankpa, safety: No. 23 out of 271 players at his position
  • Grade: 7th round-free agent projection
• Bryant Worrell, long snapper: No. 20 out of 48 players at his position
• Hayden Large, tight end: No. 33 out of 156 players at his position
• Aaron Graves, defensive tackle: No. 67 out of 249 players at his position
• Ethan Hurkett, defensive end: No. 84 out of 270 players at his position
• Jonah Pace, defensive tackle: No. 84 out of 249 players at his position
• Seth Anderson, wide receiver: No. 87 out of 380 players at his position,
• Jacob Gill, wide receiver: No. 106 out of 380 players at his position
• Bryce George, guard: No. 107 out of 159 players at his position
• Sam Phillips, wide receiver: No. 118 out of 380 players at his position,
• Shahid Barros, cornerback: No. 195 out of 318 players at his position

• Derek Anderson, tight end: No. 104 out of 156 players at his position
• Blake Anderson, offensive tackle: No. 109 out of 146 players at his position
• Bill Jackson, running back: No. 111 out of 213 players at his position
• Mo Olowo, safety: No. 122 out of 271 players at his position
• Caleb Frazer, linebacker: No. 177 out of 243 players at his position
• Tucker Langenberg, linebacker: No. 193 out of 243 players at his position
• Jonathan Cabral-Martin, cornerback: No. 198 out of 318 players at his position

• Domonique Orange, defensive tackle: No. 6 out of 249 players at his position
  • Grade: 2nd-3rd round projection
• Tyler Perkins, punter: No. 13 out of 40 players at his position
• James Neal III, offensive tackle: No. 27 out of 146 players at his position
• Jim Bonifas, center: No. 27 out of 78 players at his position
• Tyler Miller, offensive tackle: No. 53 out of 146 players at his position
• Tamatoa McDonough, defensive end: No. 56 out of 270 players at his position
• Dylan Barrett, guard: No. 65 out of 159 players at his position

More: Iowa State football roster growing together from past experiences

• Tyler Moore, tight end: No. 76 out of 156 players at his position
• Cannon Butler, defensive end: No. 101 out of 270 players at his position
• Tyler Maro, offensive tackle: No. 128 out of 146 players at his position
• Eli Green, wide receiver: No. 185 out of 380 players at his position
• Myles Mendesoon, defensive end: No. 205 out of 270 players at his position

Drake Bulldogs

• Brett Welsing, long snapper: No. 17 out of 48 players at his position

Grand View Vikings

• Jackson Waring, quarterback: No. 53 out of 99 players at his position
• John Argo, linebacker: No. 56 out of 243 players at his position

Upper Iowa Peacocks

• Mante Morrow, wide receiver: No. 142 out of 380 players at his position

Iowa natives playing elsewhere

These Iowa high school players finished playing college football outside the state but still earned spots in The Athletic’s “The Beast” draft guide.

• Kadyn Proctor (Alabama, Southeast Polk), offensive tackle: No. 4 out of 146 players at his position
  • Grade: 1st-2nd round projection
• Eli Raridon (Notre Dame, Valley), tight end: No. 9 out of 156 players at his position
  • Grade: 4th round projection
• Mosai Newsom (South Dakota, Waverly-Shell Rock), defensive tackle: No. 93 out of 249 players at his position
• Nate Ewell (South Dakota, Waterloo West), linebacker: No. 88 out of 243 players at his position,
• Henry Lutovsky (Nebraska, Mount Pleasant), guard: No. 29 out of 159 players at his position

• Jase Bauer (UT Martin, Ankeny), quarterback: No. 51 out of 99 players at his position
• Harrison Waylee (Virginia, Urbandale), running back: No. 80 out of 213 players at his position
• Noah Fenske (Southern Illinois, New Hampton), center: No. 26 out of 78 players at his position
• TJ Bollers (California, Clear Creek Amana), defensive tackle: No. 60 out of 249 players at his position
• Carter Hewitt (Illinois, South Hamilton), defensive tackle: No. 156 out of 249 players at his position

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+

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