When Big Names from Iowa, UNI, and ISU Will be Selected in NFL Draft This Week

Ah, NFL Draft week. As a draft nut myself, I can't tell you how excited I am for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of this week. So many dreams are about to come true for these young men, and so many opportunities will come to them financially that they never had before. And who knows? Your team may just get their franchise cornerstone for the next ten years.

For the studs coming out of Iowa, Northern Iowa, and Iowa State, it's as nerve-wracking and as exciting of a time they'll experience. The three state schools here are loaded with professional-level talent, and it will be shown to the world and the league soon enough.

Here is where you can expect these Iowa boys to be selected in this year's NFL Draft, and what the 'experts' from each site think of their game.

Trevor Penning, UNI - First Round

ESPN: 14. Baltimore Ravens

"Penning's technique needs to be cleaned up -- especially his hands and punch timing -- but his toughness and physical traits would work very well on the right side of the Ravens' offensive line."

CBS: 19. New Orleans Saints

"Penning plays with an edge and the sole intent is to prove any remaining doubters wrong. He had a strong season and a dominant-at-times Senior Bowl week, and he could end up going in the top half of the first round when all is said and done. He'll fill a big need in New Orleans."

NBC Sports: 14. Baltimore Ravens

"The fourth tackle, clearly, on boards around the league would be a very good fit in Baltimore, where there’s a hole at right tackle (31-year-old Morgan Moses due to fill it as of today) and where left tackle Ronnie Stanley has struggled to stay healthy. Penning started 31 games at left tackle for Northern Iowa, and his size (6-7, 325) would play well on either side."

Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa - First or Second Round

ESPN: 29. Houston Texans (Via mock trade)

"Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum has been sliding as of late because of his relatively short arms, but his agility makes up for it on tape. He's the type of building block the Texans' interior offensive line needs."

CBS: 20. Pittsburg Steelers

"Linderbaum brings some much-needed stability to the middle of the offensive line."

NBC Sports: 24. Dallas Cowboys

"Linderbaum is a rock-solid center, with 35 starts at the position over the past three years. He’s a little undersized for NFL center (6-2, 298) and doesn’t have position versatility—at least not yet. But he’s a physical, competitive player with the Ferentz pedigree. Iowa turns out terrific offensive linemen."

Breece Hall, Iowa State - Second Round

ESPN: 37. Houston Texans

"Hall could be a surprise Round 1 pick, but here he falls to the Texans and lands in a situation in which he can be a rookie starter and a focal point in the offense. Hall's three-down ability, speed and power could soon make him a top-10 NFL back."

CBS: 60. Tampa Bay Buccanners

"Breece Hall was the offense at Iowa State, and this was an offense that flourished in the Big 12 as it operated through Hall as both a runner and receiver. It's Hall's balanced skill set that gets me excited about his transition to the NFL because I don't know that you'll find a more well-rounded receiving back in this class from a route running, hands and athleticism standpoint."

Third and Fourth Rounders

Isaiah Weston, UNI

ESPN: 90. Tennessee Titans

By the way:

Charlie Kolar, Iowa State

ESPN: 121. Kansas City Chiefs

NFL.com: 81. New York Giants

Tyler Goodson, Iowa

NFL.com: 141. Baltimore Ravens

Fifth-Seventh Rounders

Eyioma Uwazurike, Iowa State

ESPN: 146. New York Jets

NFL.com: 218. Los Angeles Rams

Mike Rose: Iowa State

ESPN: 163. New York Jets

NFL.com: 229. Seattle Seahawks

Dane Belton, Iowa

ESPN: 211. Los Angeles Rams

NFL.com: 147. New York Giants

Brock Purdy, Iowa State

NFL.com: 201. Arizona Cardinals

Chase Allen, Iowa State

ESPN: 225. Pittsburg Steelers