NFL Draft 2026 Grades REVEALED: Iowa Shatters Records While Iowa State’s Lone Pick Sparks Debate
By SportFiles2 Staff | April 28, 2026
The verdict is in and it’s anything but boring.
Just days after the 2026 NFL Draft wrapped up, USA TODAY Sports analysts Jacob Camenker and Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz dropped their full report card on every single pick. From the No. 1 overall selection to “Mr. Irrelevant,” every decision was dissected, praised, or questioned.
But for fans of Iowa and Iowa State, the spotlight hits a little closer to home.
One program made history. The other made a statement with just a single name.
So how did the Hawkeyes and Cyclones really fare? Let’s break it down.
Iowa State: One Pick, Big Expectations
For Iowa State, the 2026 draft story is simple but far from insignificant.
Only one Cyclone heard his name called.
Domonique Orange, Defensive Tackle
Pick No. 82 – Minnesota Vikings
Grade: B+
Nicknamed “Big Citrus,” Orange entered the draft with a reputation built on raw strength and discipline in the trenches. At 6-foot-3 and over 300 pounds, he’s not flashy but he’s brutally effective.
USA TODAY’s evaluation didn’t mince words:
“Outstanding at setting terms along the line of scrimmage and shutting down ground games.”
That’s high praise for a player projected into a specialized role.
And yes, that role may be narrow but in today’s NFL, stopping the run still wins games in December.
Minnesota clearly agrees.
The Vikings used their first of three third-round picks on Orange, signaling confidence in his ability to anchor the interior defensive line. He’s not expected to rack up sacks or highlight-reel plays but when opposing offenses try to establish the run, Orange will be right in the middle of the chaos.
Interestingly, other outlets were even more bullish.
- Sports Illustrated handed the pick a B
- The Athletic went higher with an A−, calling Orange “outstanding”
That’s a strong consensus: Iowa State may have had just one draft pick but it was a meaningful one.
Iowa Football: Record-Breaking Class Turns Heads
If Iowa State’s story was about quality, Iowa’s was about quantity and consistency.
The Hawkeyes sent seven players to the NFL this year, setting a new program record. Even more impressive? They extended their streak to 48 consecutive years with at least one player drafted.
That’s not luck. That’s a pipeline.
But here’s where things get interesting.
USA TODAY described Iowa’s class as:
“Tough and technically sound… high-floor, low-ceiling prospects.”
In other words coaches love them, but scouts aren’t always convinced they’ll become stars.
Still, teams kept calling.
Let’s go player by player.
Logan Jones: A Questionable Reach?
Center Logan Jones
Pick No. 57 – Chicago Bears
Grade: C+
Jones came into the draft with serious credentials most notably winning the prestigious Rimington Award as the nation’s top center.
So why the lukewarm grade?
According to analysts, it’s all about value.
“There didn’t seem to be much distinction between him and other top centers… this felt like a bit of a reach.”
Chicago clearly sees him as a scheme fit, particularly in Ben Johnson’s outside-zone offense. But the critique suggests the Bears may have pulled the trigger earlier than necessary.
Still, Jones has the tools and now the opportunity to prove the doubters wrong.
Gennings Dunker: Power Meets Opportunity
Offensive Lineman Gennings Dunker
Pick No. 96 – Pittsburgh Steelers
Grade: B
Yes, the mullet gets attention. But Dunker’s game might keep it there.
USA TODAY highlighted his physicality:
“More than enough power to provide a jolt to the run game.”
Pittsburgh loves linemen who play with an edge, and Dunker fits that mold perfectly. There’s even a chance he competes for a starting guard spot early in his career.
For a third-round pick, that’s significant upside.
Kaden Wetjen: Electric… But Limited?
Wide Receiver Kaden Wetjen
Pick No. 121 – Pittsburgh Steelers
Grade: C+
Another Hawkeye heading to Pittsburgh but with a very different evaluation.
Wetjen brings speed. Game-breaking speed.
“A big play in a bottle… he can flip the field in a hurry.”
That’s the good news.
The concern?
“Might not be much of a factor in the pass game beyond scattered touches.”
Translation: he’s dangerous but possibly one-dimensional.
Still, in today’s NFL, special teams and gadget players can carve out real roles. If used creatively, Wetjen could become a sneaky weapon.
Beau Stephens: Smart, Reliable Depth
Guard Beau Stephens
Pick No. 148 – Seattle Seahawks
Grade: B
Seattle didn’t overthink this one.
Stephens isn’t the most athletic lineman in the class but he’s experienced, technically sound, and dependable.
“Worth a shot here for his know-how.”
For a defending Super Bowl champion, that’s exactly the kind of pick that strengthens depth and keeps a roster stable.
Not flashy. Just smart football.
Karson Sharar: Production vs. Potential
Linebacker Karson Sharar
Pick No. 183 – Arizona Cardinals
Grade: C+
Sharar’s story is intriguing.
He produced immediately in his lone season as a starter but questions linger about his long-term ceiling.
“Good instincts… but a bit undersized.”
That combination often leads to one outcome in the NFL: special teams.
And that’s exactly what analysts project for Sharar a core contributor in the kicking game, with limited upside on defense.
Still, players with high football IQ often find ways to stick around.
TJ Hall: Late-Round Value?
Cornerback TJ Hall
Pick No. 219 – New Orleans Saints
Grade: B+
Here’s where things start to get more exciting.
Hall brings ball production something NFL teams always value.
“Had good ball production the last two seasons.”
The concern?
Speed.
“Lacks long speed, which could cap his upside.”
But in the seventh round, this is exactly the kind of gamble teams love to take.
If Hall can compensate with positioning and awareness, this pick could outperform expectations.
Max Llewellyn: The Steal of the Class
Defensive End Max Llewellyn
Pick No. 238 – Miami Dolphins
Grade: A
Every draft has a late-round gem and for Iowa, this might be it.
At 6-foot-6 and 258 pounds, Llewellyn looks the part of an NFL edge rusher. But it’s his motor that stands out.
“Aggressive playing style… high-motor, rotational contributor.”
He finished his final college season with 6.5 sacks, and Miami clearly believes there’s more upside to unlock.
An “A” grade in the seventh round?
That’s how teams quietly build depth and occasionally strike gold.
The Bigger Picture: Iowa’s Identity Holds Strong
Seven picks. A program record. Nearly five decades of draft consistency.
Iowa isn’t chasing headlines it’s building pros.
And while critics label many of these players as “low ceiling,” history suggests something else: Iowa players often outperform expectations once they reach the league.
They’re coached well. They understand fundamentals. And they rarely beat themselves.
That matters.
Looking Ahead: 2026 NFL Season Kickoff
Circle the date.
The 2026 NFL regular season officially kicks off on September 9 at Lumen Field in Seattle. As tradition dictates, the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks will open the season under the bright lights.
Their opponent? Still to be announced.
But one thing’s certain several former Hawkeyes and at least one Cyclone will be suiting up, ready to prove that draft grades don’t define careers
Final Take: Grades Are Just the Beginning
Every April, analysts hand out grades like final exam scores.
But in the NFL, the real test begins in September.
Will Logan Jones justify his selection?
Can Dunker win a starting job?
Is Max Llewellyn the steal nobody saw coming?
And will Domonique Orange become a cornerstone in Minnesota’s defense?
Those answers won’t come from analysts.
They’ll come from the field.
And that’s where legacies are made.
