KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The 2023 NFL Draft is almost here, with this year's pool of future football stars to hear their names called in Kansas City Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29.
The Carolina Panthers hold the No. 1 overall pick after trading with the Chicago Bears. The expectation is that Carolina takes a quarterback, with the debate ongoing between Alabama's Bryce Young and Ohio State's C.J. Stroud.
Below is a list of the Iowa and Iowa State football prospects and where they could land.
2023 NFL Draft Schedule
- Thursday, April 27 (7 p.m. CT): Round 1
- Friday, April 28 (6 p.m. CT): Rounds 2 & 3
- Saturday, April 29 (11 a.m.): Rounds 4-7
- EDGE, Iowa
- 6'5", 272 lbs
A physical freak who played mostly interior defensive line at Iowa, Lukas Van Ness is an instant impact player.
He will shift outside as an edge rusher in the NFL, and could hear his name called anywhere in the first round.
- EDGE, Iowa State
- 6'4", 239 lbs
You'll hear the words "bouncy" or "twitchy" to describe Will McDonald IV, likely because his 239-pound frame gets off the line quick and moves right past offensive linemen.
"I did martial arts, basketball. I wrestled, I played a bit of soccer," McDonald said at Iowa State's pro day. "And I kind of just, you know, took all that and I just made like a versatile type of player. I mean, I kind of built Will McDonald."
- TE, Iowa
- 6'3", 245 lbs
Following the likes of George Kittle, Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson may not be easy, but Sam LaPorta could be next.
In a loaded tight end class that includes Michael Mayer (Notre Dame) and Dalton Kincaid (Utah), even a second or third-round landing spot wouldn't impact LaPorta's NFL chances. He's got solid hands with loads of yards-after-catch (YAC) ability.
- WR, Iowa State
- 6'2", 203 lbs
While this year isn't projected as a strong wide receiver class, Xavier Hutchinson could be a Day 2 steal with his combination of size and quickness.
He's dreamed about playing in the NFL since he was five. So what would he tell kid Hutchinson today?
"I think he wouldn't believe me. I think he wouldn't be able to grasp it. Even at times, I can't even grasp it now. So, I think he would be proud of every step that we took along the way to get here."
- LB, Iowa
- 6'5", 249 lbs
Jack Campbell is the prototypical physical specimen who tackles people for a living.
The First Team All-American this past year could become the next in a line of Hawkeye linebackers at the next level (Josey Jewell, Anthony Hitchens, Ben Neimann and Christian Kirksey just to name a recent few).
- S, Iowa State
- 6'0", 205 lbs
- DE, Iowa State
- 6'2 1/2", 269 lbs
- CB, Iowa
- 6'1", 193 lbs
Riley Moss won't be the highest-drafted prospect on this list, but he may be the most fun.
The former high school track star ran a 4.45 at the NFL Combine 40-yard dash and totaled 11 interceptions in his Hawkeye career. Three of those INTs ended as touchdowns.
He also returned four kickoffs this past season, averaging over 23 yards a return.
WATCH: 2023 NFL Draft prospect highlights on YouTube