NFL Draft Notebook: Iowa's next great offensive lineman and a new RB1 emerges

As we continue to dig deeper into the film on the 2027 NFL Draft class, this week's NFL Draft Notebook takes a closer look at Iowa offensive linemen Trevor Lauck and Kade Pieper, two prospects looking to continue the Hawkeyes' long tradition of producing NFL talent in the trenches. 

We also break down my top five running backs in the 2027 NFL Draft, including why Florida's Jadan Baugh currently sits atop the rankings. Plus, we examine several intriguing storylines around college football, including potential future draft needs for the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings, a transfer tight end who could boost his stock at Penn State, and a quarterback prospect I believe is being overlooked by many draft analysts.

Trevor Lauck and Kade Pieper continue Iowa's offensive line legacy

Iowa has built one of college football's premier offensive line pipelines, producing NFL stars such as Tristan Wirfs and Tyler Linderbaum, who are among the best players at their respective positions. The Hawkeyes added another name to that tradition this year when the Chicago Bears selected Logan Jones with the 57th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Looking ahead to the 2026 season, Iowa once again features two offensive linemen with the potential to hear their names called early in the draft: left tackle Trevor Lauck and center Kade Pieper.

Lauck emerged as one of the top offensive linemen in college football last season. Despite entering the year with only 23 career snaps, the Indianapolis native did not allow a sack and earned an 89.6 PFF pass-blocking grade, the second-highest mark among FBS offensive tackles.

Currently carrying a late first-round grade on my board, Lauck wins with overwhelming strength and powerful hands. Once he locks onto defenders, they rarely escape his grip. He also offers valuable versatility after beginning his Iowa career at guard before moving to left tackle, giving NFL teams multiple options for how to deploy him at the next level.

The biggest concern scouts may have with Lauck is his athletic ceiling. While he moves well enough to stay at tackle, he can struggle when asked to operate in space, which could lead some teams to project him as a right tackle or even a guard. He also remains a work in progress as a run blocker, occasionally stopping his feet on contact and playing with a pad level that can become inconsistent.

The other Iowa lineman drawing significant NFL attention is Kade Pieper, who is making the transition from guard to center following the departure of Logan Jones. Pieper was named a PFF All-American last season after allowing just one sack and establishing himself as one of the nation's most dominant run blockers.

Pieper's greatest asset is his athleticism. Ranked No. 22 on Bruce Feldman's Freaks List, he owns Iowa offensive line records with a 37-inch vertical jump and a 1.52-second 10-yard split. That explosiveness, combined with his technically sound play and disciplined approach, makes him an ideal fit for a zone-blocking scheme.

The move to center should also help minimize one of Pieper's biggest concerns: his lack of ideal size. At 6-foot-4 and 290 pounds, he is lighter than many NFL interior linemen. While he possesses excellent functional strength, some evaluators may question how he will hold up against powerful NFL nose tackles aligned directly over him.

The biggest question surrounding both Lauck and Pieper is whether they will declare for the NFL Draft after the season, as both players will still be juniors. Regardless of their decision, Iowa appears to be in excellent hands up front. With Lauck anchoring the edge and Pieper taking over at center, the Hawkeyes should once again field one of the nation's best offensive lines and have the talent necessary to contend for a Big Ten championship.

Top five running backs in the 2027 NFL Draft

1. Jadan Baugh, Florida 

The top running back on my board entering the 2027 NFL Draft cycle is Florida's Jadan Baugh, who is expected to be the focal point of the Gators' offense this season. The 6-foot-1, 231-pound back is coming off a breakout campaign that earned him Second-Team All-SEC honors after rushing for 1,170 yards and adding 210 receiving yards. He also closed the season with the best game of his career, rushing for 266 yards and two touchdowns against Florida State. At the next level, Baugh's physical running style, reliable hands, and impressive agility for a player of his size make him an intriguing prospect and one of the most complete running backs in the 2027 draft class.

2. Ahmad Hardy, Missouri 

If not for the leg injury he suffered after being shot last month, Missouri's Ahmad Hardy would likely sit atop my running back rankings. While questions remain about his recovery timeline, his on-field production has been elite when healthy. Hardy finished second in the nation last season with 1,649 rushing yards and forced 97 missed tackles, the second-highest total in the country according to PFF. His ability to break tackles highlights his exceptional lower-body strength and physical running style, while his underrated speed was evident in his nation-leading 25 runs of 15 or more yards. Combining power, vision, and explosiveness, Hardy's running style draws comparisons to Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith, making him one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft class.

3. Kewan Lacy, Ole Miss 

Another elite SEC running back in the 2027 NFL Draft class is Ole Miss's Kewan Lacy, who emerged as one of the nation's premier bell-cow backs last season. Lacy led the FBS with 306 carries while rushing for 1,567 yards and a school-record 24 touchdowns, earning First-Team All-SEC and All-American honors. He combines good size, speed, and contact balance with a natural nose for the end zone, forcing 89 missed tackles and leading the nation in evaded tackles. While he has proven he can handle a massive workload, scouts will have concerns about his inconsistent production against top competition, as he averaged fewer than 4.0 yards per carry against each of the three Top 15 teams he faced during the regular season. His receiving ability also remains a work in progress after recording five drops last year, but his overall production and three-down potential currently give him a second-round grade on my board.

4. Isaac Brown, Louisville 

Teams looking for a home-run threat at running back are going to love Louisville's Isaac Brown. One of the most explosive players in the country, Brown averaged 8.8 yards per carry last season, the second-best mark in the FBS, and should be among the fastest running backs at the 2027 NFL Combine. Despite standing just 5-foot-9 and weighing 190 pounds, he displays impressive contact balance, averaging 5.33 yards after contact per carry. Brown's combination of speed, vision, and big-play ability makes him an ideal fit for a wide-zone rushing attack. The biggest concern for NFL scouts will be durability, as he missed four games last season and has dealt with injuries in the past, including a shoulder issue in 2024. If he can stay healthy, Brown has the talent to develop into one of the most dynamic running backs in this draft class.

5. Justice Haynes, Georgia Tech 

Another running back poised for a breakout season in the ACC is Georgia Tech's Justice Haynes. The former Michigan standout entered the offseason as the top running back in the transfer portal according to 247Sports after rushing for 857 yards in just seven games last season. Unfortunately, his year was cut short by a season-ending foot injury. When healthy, Haynes possesses the complete skill set NFL teams look for, combining breakaway speed, excellent contact balance, and dependable hands out of the backfield. If he can stay healthy and handle a full workload in Georgia Tech's offense, Haynes has a strong chance to surpass the 1,000-yard mark and further solidify himself as one of the top running back prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft.

NFL Draft news and notes

• Look for Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss' top target this fall to be Deuce Alexander. Expected to man the X receiver spot, Alexander is coming off a season in which he caught 44 passes for 684 yards while also carrying the ball 19 times for 122 yards. While many NFL Draft analysts are overlooking him, I currently have a sixth-round grade on the wide receiver due to his outstanding body control, which consistently allows him to make difficult catches in traffic. He also possesses underrated speed, a trait that helped him average 15.5 yards per reception last season and makes him a legitimate vertical threat.

• One position the Atlanta Falcons could target early in the 2027 NFL Draft is middle linebacker. The team is currently counting on Christian Harris and 2026 fourth-round pick Kendal Daniels to help replace the production lost when Kaden Elliss signed with the New Orleans Saints in free agency. However, there are legitimate questions surrounding both players. Harris has struggled with injuries and inconsistent play over the past several seasons, while Daniels may lack the size and strength needed to consistently hold up as a full-time middle linebacker at the NFL level. If those concerns persist, the Falcons could look to Clemson linebacker Sammy Brown in the second round of the 2027 NFL Draft. Brown is coming off an impressive season in which he recorded 106 tackles and five sacks, showcasing the instincts, physicality, and playmaking ability teams look for in an every-down linebacker.

• The top tight end to enter the transfer portal this offseason was former Iowa State standout Benjamin Brahmer, who transferred to Penn State. Brahmer led the Cyclones with 37 receptions and six touchdown catches last season, showcasing the receiving production NFL teams covet at the position. At 6-foot-7 and 250 pounds, he also possesses the size and catch radius scouts look for, regularly winning contested catches and jump-ball situations. However, if he hopes to climb into Day Two consideration for the 2027 NFL Draft, he must improve his footwork as a run blocker and post a solid 40-yard dash time to prove he has the speed necessary to consistently create separation at the next level.

• Speaking of the tight end position, one team that could be in the market for help there during the 2027 NFL Draft is the Minnesota Vikings. T.J. Hockenson remains a productive player, but his numbers have declined over the past few seasons, including averaging just 8.6 yards per reception last year, tying a career low. With his contract set to expire after the season, there is a realistic possibility Minnesota could move in a different direction. Behind him, Josh Oliver and Gavin Bartholomew provide depth, but neither is viewed as a major receiving threat at the position. As a result, Vikings fans should keep a close eye on LSU's Trey'Dez Green, who enters the season as my top-rated tight end prospect and has the upside to become a featured weapon in an NFL passing attack.

• One player ESPN NFL Draft analysts Matt Miller and Jordan Reid appear to be overlooking in their initial 2027 NFL Draft quarterback rankings is South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers. Neither analyst included Sellers among their top five quarterback prospects, while I currently have him ranked as the No. 3 quarterback in the class. The biggest reason for that difference is Sellers' upside. Compared to Oklahoma State's Drew Mestemaker and Notre Dame's CJ Carr, both of whom were ranked in the top five, Sellers offers a far greater dual-threat skill set. He is a more dangerous runner, possesses a significantly stronger arm, and has the physical tools NFL teams covet at the position. Sellers is also in position for a breakout season under new offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, whose scheme should maximize his athleticism and allow him to take another major step forward in his development.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow