NFL Draft Notebook: Iowa’s tight end legacy continues with Luke Lachey and weekend prospects to watch

This week’s NFL Draft Notebook takes a deep dive into the college football scene, starting with Iowa's rising star, Luke Lachey, who is poised to be the next great tight end from a program known for producing elite talent. We’ll also spotlight five pro prospects to watch this weekend, including a Group of Five wide receiver who has the chance to significantly boost his draft stock. Finally, we'll wrap up with the latest draft news and notes, including some intriguing insights on two kickers in this year’s draft class.

The next great Iowa tight end

The Iowa Hawkeyes have a storied tradition of producing elite tight ends. In just the past six drafts, they've seen Sam LaPorta, T.J. Hockenson, and Noah Fant all become top 40 NFL Draft picks. Adding to that legacy, George Kittle, drafted in 2017, has established himself as one of the NFL's top three tight ends. The lineage doesn't stop there—Dallas Clark, another Iowa alumnus, earned a place in the Indianapolis Colts' Ring of Honor after racking up over 400 receptions with the team.

The next tight end poised to carry on this tradition is Luke Lachey. His skill set evokes comparisons to both George Kittle and Sam LaPorta, thanks to his well-rounded game. As a receiver, Lachey consistently excels in contested situations, catching 67% of passes thrown his way in traffic during the 2022 season. His strength as a receiver is evident after the catch as he's tough to bring down after the catch in the open field, often lowering his head to deliver a blow to defenders, and arm tackles rarely suffice.

Beyond his strength, Lachey is an underrated athlete. He has a knack for making tough catches, a necessity given Iowa’s inconsistent quarterback play. Over the past three years, he has dropped only 4.2% of the passes thrown his way, highlighting his reliable hands.

Lachey is also a strong blocker, a trait that will allow him to play as a traditional in-line tight end at the next level. He's a physical blocker who isn't afraid to get dirty in the trenches. Technically, he's sound as well, demonstrating excellent hand use and consistently keeping his feet moving to maintain blocks.

Despite my high regard for Lachey as I've named him the tight end I’d stand on the table for this season there are some concerns. The biggest is that he's coming off a season-ending ankle injury. To maintain the second-round grade I’ve assigned him, Lachey will need to prove he can return to the form he showed at the start of last season when he had at least 50 receiving yards in both games he played.

Another concern is his agility. Lachey isn't the most nimble tight end in the 2025 NFL Draft. While he can adjust to the ball, he’s not someone who will consistently make defenders miss in the open field or create significant mismatches against linebackers due to his average athleticism and speed.

Some may also question his lack of elite production. However, this is largely due to playing in a deep tight end room, where he backed up second-round pick Sam LaPorta in 2022, who caught 86 passes as a rookie for the Lions last season. Lachey's production was further hampered by Iowa’s lackluster quarterback play and one of the most predictable offenses in college football.

Heading into the 2024 season, I have Lachey ranked as my number two tight end with a high second-round grade. Teams like the Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, and Jacksonville Jaguars could all be strong candidates to draft him next season.

Five players to watch in week one

This weekend marks the official start of the season, featuring several high-quality matchups over the three-day stretch. Highlighted games include Notre Dame vs. Georgia, LSU vs. USC, and Clemson vs. Georgia. Below, you'll find five prospects that NFL Draft scouts should keep an eye on, many of whom will be showcasing their talents in some of the top games of the weekend.

Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame

Riley Leonard begins his tenure with Notre Dame on Saturday, facing Texas A&M and his former head coach, Mike Elko. In this game, Leonard must demonstrate his command of the Irish offense and show that he's fully recovered from last season’s ankle injury. Additionally, he’ll need to prove he can excel as a pocket passer with the footwork required for the NFL.

Barrett Carter, OLB, Clemson

Clemson outside linebacker Barrett Carter is one of the most intriguing defensive players to watch this Saturday as he takes on the Georgia Bulldogs, a team with five offensive linemen on my 2025 NFL Draft board. Carter has the speed to make plays consistently but to impress NFL scouts, he’ll need to show he can also shed blocks effectively.

Wyatt Milum, OT, West Virginia

Keep an eye on West Virginia’s offensive lineman Wyatt Milum this weekend as he faces one of the nation’s top pass rushers, Penn State’s Abdul Carter, who is widely considered a first-round prospect. If West Virginia hopes to stand a chance on Saturday, Milum will need to step up and slow down the Nittany Lions' pass rush, leveraging his athletic ability to keep up with a player of Carter's caliber.

Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State

Colorado State’s Tory Horton was one of college football's most productive receivers last season, finishing with 96 receptions for 1,136 yards. If the Rams are to stay competitive against Texas, Horton will need to replicate his performance from last year’s game against Colorado, where he notched 16 receptions.

Bear Alexander, DT, USC

On Sunday, all eyes will be on USC defensive tackle Bear Alexander. He's aiming to evolve from a player who occasionally makes standout plays to one who consistently dominates. He’ll face a tough test against LSU, who boasts the nation's top offensive line according to On3.

NFL Draft news and notes

Most overrated player: As we approach the 2024 season, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers stands out as the most overrated NFL Draft prospect in the 2025 draft class. ESPN’s Field Yates recently projected him to go eighth overall, but I see him as more of a third-round talent due to several significant flaws. Ewers lacks elite arm strength and struggles with deep-ball accuracy, two critical concerns for a top-tier quarterback prospect. He also heavily relies on play-action, leading the Power Five with 240 play-action dropbacks last season. Without play-action, his PFF grade on non-play-action dropbacks was a mere 72.2, ranking 83rd nationally. Additionally, his throwing motion raises red flags, resembling more of a shot-put technique than a natural throwing motion.

You stole my kicker: Miami (Ohio) head coach Chuck Martin stirred up some controversy by accusing Alabama of "stealing" his kicker, Graham Nicholson, during the offseason. However, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer insists that the team only reached out to Nicholson after he entered the transfer portal. Regardless of how it happened, the Crimson Tide landed an exceptional kicker in Nicholson. Last season, the Lou Groza Award winner made 27 of 28 field goals, including 10 of 11 from beyond 40 yards. He also excelled on kickoffs, averaging 68 yards per kickoff.

"Alabama stole our kicker. They illegally recruited our kicker and stole him from us. That's a fact."

- Miami (Ohio) HC Chuck Martin

Speaking of kickers: Florida State’s Ryan Fitzgerald boosted his draft stock on Saturday, even though his team faced a tough loss. Fitzgerald went two for two on the day, nailing both field goals from beyond 50 yards. His longest kick, a 59-yarder, set a new career high and marked the second-longest in school history. Entering the season, there were doubts about his ability to make long field goals, as he didn’t attempt one from over 50 yards last year and was 0-for-3 in such attempts in 2022. However, if he can maintain the consistency that led to a 91% success rate last season and continue showcasing his leg strength, Fitzgerald could emerge as a late-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Increased Impact: Expect Georgia defensive end Mykel Williams to take on a bigger role this season after averaging just 30 snaps per game last year. He’s set to see more action not only at defensive end but also at outside linebacker, expanding his presence on the field. Despite being somewhat underutilized last season, Williams still made a significant impact, recording 4.5 sacks and earning the title of top run-defending defensive end heading into this season, according to Pro Football Focus. If he can elevate his production this year, Williams could position himself as a high first-round NFL Draft pick.

Tough blow for North Dakota State: The Bison face a significant setback as it was announced that Cole Wisniewski will be sidelined for at least eight weeks this season. Wisniewski, a key defensive leader and top small school prospect for the 2025 NFL Draft, was expected to anchor the Bison's defense. Now, he must decide whether to return for his final year of eligibility at NDSU or enter the draft, despite missing much of the season due to this serious injury.