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2025 NFL mock drafts: Where Iowa, Iowa State players are projected to land
Aaron Marner
Digital Editor
2025 NFL mock drafts: Where Iowa, Iowa State players are projected to land
CRAZY. I SAW SOMEONE GET THE INTERCEPTION AND GRAHAM WAS LIKE, IS THAT COOPER? I WAS LIKE, I THINK IT WAS. IT WAS PROBABLY A GOOD THING THAT THERE AREN’T TOO MANY PEOPLE THAT LIVE TOO CLOSE TO US TO HEAR ALL THAT. DEJEAN HIGH SCHOOL COACH LARRY ALLEN IS WEARING HIS EAGLES GREEN MONDAY. THE INTERCEPTION WAS FAR FROM HIS FIRST CRAZY PLAY. HERE’S DEJEAN DEJEAN BROKE OFF THIS RUN LATE IN THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TO SEAL THE WIN AGAINST VAN METER IN 2020. LOOKS LIKE HE’S GOT A WALL TO THE FIVE TO THE TOUCHDOWN. JUST FIVE YEARS LATER. ALLEN IS PROUD TO SEE ONE OF THEIR OWN CHASING HIS DREAM, ALL THE WHILE REPPING HIS LETTERMAN JACKET ON THE WORLD’S BIGGEST STAGE. WE DIDN’T TEACH HIM A WHOLE LOT. IT WAS ALL NATURAL, GOD GIVEN ABILITY THAT HE HAS TAKEN AND WORKED THAT INTO, YOU KNOW, HARD WORK HAS REALLY MADE IT DIFFERENT. 2021 IN THE LONG JUMP. BUT IT WASN’T JUST FOOTBALL. DEJEAN WAS ALSO AN ELITE BASKETBALL PLAYER AND WON THREE STATE TITLES IN TRACK AND FIELD. IT’S BEEN FIVE YEARS SINCE DEJEAN WALKED THE HALLS OF OABCIG, BUT THERE IS STILL A BUZZ ABOUT HIM PLAYING THE SAME POSITION AS HIM. I MEAN, I WATCH HIS GAME AND IT WAS JUST AWESOME TO SEE SOMEONE I KNEW OUT THERE, AND IT MAKES THE KIDS STILL IN SCHOOL BELIEVE THAT FALCONS CAN GROW UP TO BE EAGLES. IT’S PRETTY COOL TO SEE SOMEONE FROM LIKE, OUR COMMUNITY AND SOMEONE THAT I KNOW PERSONALLY MAKE IT AND PLAY ON THE BIGGEST STAGE FOR FOOTBALL. ALLEN TELLS ME THEY’RE WORKING ON GETTING AN EAGLES JERSEY TO HANG UP IN THE TROPHY CASE, SO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT NEVER FORGETS. DEJEAN’S PERFORMANCE IN THE SUPER BOWL. IN IDA G
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2025 NFL mock drafts: Where Iowa, Iowa State players are projected to land
Aaron Marner
Digital Editor
The NFL draft is later this month, and several in-state college football players hope to hear their names called.Just last year, Iowa's Cooper DeJean was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles and made an immediate impact. DeJean intercepted Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl and returned it for a touchdown, boosting his team to a championship in his first professional season.Related video above: Cooper DeJean's Iowa high school celebrates the alum's performance in Super Bowl 59This year, several more big names from in-state programs hope to have a similar impact.Iowa State wide receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel could go in the first few rounds, along with Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson. Several others from both schools could be in the mix later in the draft, too.The first round is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, April 24, with rounds 2 and 3 on April 25 and the remaining four rounds on April 26.Here is what is expected for former Cyclones and Hawkeyes when the picks get underway.The Athletic full NFL mock draft: Dane BruglerIn addition to his "The Beast" preview that includes information about hundreds of prospects, Dane Brugler released a full seven-round mock draft April 16.Second roundNo. 38: Jayden Higgins, New England Patriots (Iowa State)No. 47: Jaylin Noel, Arizona Cardinals (Iowa State)Third roundNo. 65: Kaleb Johnson, New York Giants (Iowa)No. 98: Darien Porter, Miami Dolphins (Iowa State)Fifth roundNo. 155: Jalen Travis, Miami Dolphins (Iowa State)No. 165: Yahya Black, Philadelphia Eagles (Iowa)Sixth roundNo. 193: Sebastian Castro, Cincinnati Bengals (Iowa)ESPN 2025 three-round mock draft: Mel Kiper Jr., Field YatesIn a mock draft of the first three rounds released by ESPN Tuesday, April 15, four in-state players were taken.Second roundNo. 35: Jayden Higgins, Tennessee Titans (Iowa State)No. 53: Darien Porter, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Iowa State)No. 54: Jaylin Noel, Green Bay Packers (Iowa State)Third roundNo. 67: Kaleb Johnson, Washington Commanders (Iowa)CBS Sports 2025 NFL mock draftEleven different ISU and Iowa players are listed in the full seven-round mock draft released by CBS on April 9.Cyclones Jaylin Noel, Jayden Higgins and cornerback Darien Porter each go off the board in the second round of this mock draft. Kaleb Johnson is the first Hawkeye drafted at No. 113.Second roundNo. 42: Jaylin Noel, New York Jets (Iowa State)No. 50: Jayden Higgins, Seattle Seahawks (Iowa State)No. 56: Darien Porter, Buffalo Bills (Iowa State)Third roundNo. 88: Jalen Travis, Jacksonville Jaguars (Iowa State)Fourth roundNo. 113: Kaleb Johnson, Dallas Cowboys (Iowa)No. 121: Jermari Harris, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Iowa)Fifth roundNo. 140: Sebastian Castro, Carolina Panthers (Iowa)Sixth roundNo. 181: Connor Colby, Los Angeles Chargers (Iowa)No. 191: Yahya Black, Denver Broncos (Iowa)No. 195: Jay Higgins, Los Angeles Rams (Iowa)Seventh roundNo. 228: Luke Lachey, Detroit Lions (Iowa)The Athletic 2025 NFL mock draftThe Athletic released a three-round mock draft April 7. Four Iowa and Iowa State players made the cut.Second roundNo. 39: Kaleb Johnson, Chicago Bears (Iowa)No. 50: Jaylin Noel, Seattle Seahawks (Iowa State)No. 54: Jayden Higgins, Green Bay Packers (Iowa State)No. 61: Darien Porter, Washington Commanders (Iowa State)In The Athletic's "The Beast" draft guide, three in-state players are listed among the top 50 overall prospects: Noel (42nd), Johnson (44th) and Jayden Higgins (45th).Mel Kiper Jr. (ESPN) 2025 NFL mock draftThe longtime draft expert at ESPN has the same four names going in the first two rounds in his mock draft, published April 8.Second roundNo. 52: Jayden Higgins, Seattle Seahawks (Iowa State)No. 58: Jaylin Noel, Houston Texans (Iowa State)No. 61: Darien Porter, Washington Commanders (Iowa State)No. 63: Kaleb Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs (Iowa)» Subscribe to vlog's YouTube page» Download the free vlog app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
DES MOINES, Iowa —

The NFL draft is later this month, and several in-state college football players hope to hear their names called.

Just last year, Iowa's Cooper DeJean was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles and made an immediate impact. DeJean intercepted Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl and returned it for a touchdown, boosting his team to a championship in his first professional season.

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Related video above: Cooper DeJean's Iowa high school celebrates the alum's performance in Super Bowl 59

This year, several more big names from in-state programs hope to have a similar impact.

Iowa State wide receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel could go in the first few rounds, along with Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson. Several others from both schools could be in the mix later in the draft, too.

, with rounds 2 and 3 on April 25 and the remaining four rounds on April 26.

Here is what is expected for former Cyclones and Hawkeyes when the picks get underway.

The Athletic full NFL mock draft: Dane Brugler

In addition to his "The Beast" preview that includes information about hundreds of prospects, April 16.

Second round

  • No. 38: Jayden Higgins, New England Patriots (Iowa State)
  • No. 47: Jaylin Noel, Arizona Cardinals (Iowa State)

Third round

  • No. 65: Kaleb Johnson, New York Giants (Iowa)
  • No. 98: Darien Porter, Miami Dolphins (Iowa State)

Fifth round

  • No. 155: Jalen Travis, Miami Dolphins (Iowa State)
  • No. 165: Yahya Black, Philadelphia Eagles (Iowa)

Sixth round

  • No. 193: Sebastian Castro, Cincinnati Bengals (Iowa)

ESPN 2025 three-round mock draft: Mel Kiper Jr., Field Yates

In Tuesday, April 15, four in-state players were taken.

Second round

  • No. 35: Jayden Higgins, Tennessee Titans (Iowa State)
  • No. 53: Darien Porter, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Iowa State)
  • No. 54: Jaylin Noel, Green Bay Packers (Iowa State)

Third round

  • No. 67: Kaleb Johnson, Washington Commanders (Iowa)

CBS Sports 2025 NFL mock draft

Eleven different ISU and Iowa players are listed in .

Cyclones Jaylin Noel, Jayden Higgins and cornerback Darien Porter each go off the board in the second round of this mock draft. Kaleb Johnson is the first Hawkeye drafted at No. 113.

Second round

  • No. 42: Jaylin Noel, New York Jets (Iowa State)
  • No. 50: Jayden Higgins, Seattle Seahawks (Iowa State)
  • No. 56: Darien Porter, Buffalo Bills (Iowa State)

Third round

  • No. 88: Jalen Travis, Jacksonville Jaguars (Iowa State)

Fourth round

  • No. 113: Kaleb Johnson, Dallas Cowboys (Iowa)
  • No. 121: Jermari Harris, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Iowa)

Fifth round

  • No. 140: Sebastian Castro, Carolina Panthers (Iowa)

Sixth round

  • No. 181: Connor Colby, Los Angeles Chargers (Iowa)
  • No. 191: Yahya Black, Denver Broncos (Iowa)
  • No. 195: Jay Higgins, Los Angeles Rams (Iowa)

Seventh round

  • No. 228: Luke Lachey, Detroit Lions (Iowa)

The Athletic 2025 NFL mock draft

The Athletic released a . Four Iowa and Iowa State players made the cut.

Second round

  • No. 39: Kaleb Johnson, Chicago Bears (Iowa)
  • No. 50: Jaylin Noel, Seattle Seahawks (Iowa State)
  • No. 54: Jayden Higgins, Green Bay Packers (Iowa State)
  • No. 61: Darien Porter, Washington Commanders (Iowa State)

In The Athletic's draft guide, three in-state players are listed among the top 50 overall prospects: Noel (42nd), Johnson (44th) and Jayden Higgins (45th).

Mel Kiper Jr. (ESPN) 2025 NFL mock draft

The longtime draft expert at ESPN has the same four names going in the first two rounds in .

Second round

  • No. 52: Jayden Higgins, Seattle Seahawks (Iowa State)
  • No. 58: Jaylin Noel, Houston Texans (Iowa State)
  • No. 61: Darien Porter, Washington Commanders (Iowa State)
  • No. 63: Kaleb Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs (Iowa)

»

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