2021 NFL Draft: Iowa Hawkeyes top prospects to watch
Defense/Special teams
DE Chauncey Golston (no. 57)
Chauncey Golston is a big-time breakout player candidate on Iowa’s defense now with AJ Epenesa off to the NFL.
A number of Epenesa’s sacks at Iowa came as a result of great pressure from no. 57, and Golston has simply not seen the fruit of his hard work in terms of overall sack numbers. He has 6.5 sacks in the past two seasons, but 18.5 tackles for loss and a really nice five passes defended last season.
He’s finding ways to affect passing plays and make plays behind the line of scrimmage even without racking up sacks. At 6-foot-5, 270 pounds, Golston is a load off the edge and could boost his draft stock big-time this year.
CB Matt Hankins (no. 8)
Hankins was too inconsistent last season to generate a ton of NFL buzz, getting picked on on a few occasions, but he will be in the spotlight now with Michael Ojemudia off to the NFL.
Hankins may not have third-round upside like Ojemudia, but the Hawkeyes are pretty consistently getting at least one defensive back drafted, and he had two interceptions and seven pass breakups a season ago.
K Keith Duncan (no. 3)
The consensus All-American from the 2019 season made 29-of-34 field goal attempts last season, including 14-of-18 from 40 yards or longer.
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He was clutch for the Hawkeyes and obviously has an accurate leg. If he can show off more of his range. If Duncan can’t hit from 50-plus yards, he might not get NFL looks. If he can prove he has range from 50-55 yards, he could be a priority free agent kicker for NFL teams.