Iowa fans didn’t need to wait long on the third day of the NFL Draft to hear a Hawkeye’s name called.
Minnesota, using pick No. 2 of the fourth round from the trade from San Francisco, drafted defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson.
The pick was part of the deal in which the 49ers shipped off draft picks in order to move up and select former Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard in the third round.
We have selected Jaleel Johnson (@leellxvii)! pic.twitter.com/dABGGet23A
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) April 29, 2017
Johnson, tabbed as “one of the most explosive interior pass-rushers of this 2017 class” by ESPN’s Steve Muench, was the ninth-best defensive tackle in the draft, according to ESPN, and he ended up being the 10th player picked at his position.
The Vikings’ selection comes after they allowed the 20th-most rushing yards per game in 2016.
San Francisco drafted its second Hawkeye this year, taking tight end George Kittle with the second pick in the fourth round.
Kittle was ESPN’s 10th-best tight end in the draft.
Another good fit at TE with George Kittle and the 49ers. Kittle is one of the top blocking TEs in this class … https://t.co/B5Iw5694f8
— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) April 29, 2017
ESPN’s Kevin Weidl noted that the 6-4, 247-pound Kittle possesses “raw athleticism” and drew attention with the idea of becoming a versatile player – potentially playing snaps at tight end, fullback, and contributing on special teams.
Kittle snagged 22 passes for 314 yards in 2016, with 4 touchdowns. The season before, he hauled in 6 scores.
Desmond King, who many projected to be drafted anywhere between the second and fourth round, fell to the fifth to the Los Angeles Chargers with pick No. 151.
The 2015 Jim Thorpe Award winner recorded 58 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 1 touchdown in 2016.
His numbers dropped from his 72-tackle, 8-interception 2015 campaign, as most teams elected to avoid throwing in his direction.
“He is a playmaker with better quickness than speed and good instincts,” Meunch wrote in his analysis on King.
The Chargers got some real value with CB Desmond King in the 5th round. King has the ball skills and instincts … https://t.co/zF6qGCtbMG
— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) April 29, 2017
The Chargers ranked 20th in passing yards per game last season but did tie for the league-high in interceptions (18), hoping to add another ball-hawk to its secondary.
King was the draft’s 21st cornerback to be taken off the board despite being ranked as ESPN’s 12th-best corner.
Riley McCarron was not selected in the NFL draft but signed with the Houston Texans.
From wahlert, to iowa, TO TEXAS!!! GO TEXANS!!! ????#dreambig SO PROUD pic.twitter.com/POJJDhbSDI
— Maddie McCarron (@mccarronmaddie) April 29, 2017
The senior snagged 42 passes for 517 yards and 4 touchdowns last season and dazzled scouts after running a 4.36 40-yard dash and jumping 40.5 inches in his vertical test.
Cornerback Greg Mabin found a home in Florida, signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
UDFA CB Greg Mabin to sign with the #Buccaneers, per his agents.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) April 30, 2017
Offensive lineman Cole Croston signed with the New England Patriots.
Here you go @NEPatriotsDraft #Iowa OL Cole Croston is signing with #Patriots
— Mike Loyko (@NEPD_Loyko) April 30, 2017
LeShun Daniels Jr. joined Croston on the defending Super Bowl champions’ squad.
All I need is one shot and I'm thankful the @Patriots are giving me that opportunity ??
— LeShun Daniels Jr. (@LeShunDanielsJr) April 30, 2017
— Adam Hensley
