Iowa football just set a new record, sending seven players into the NFL Draft this season, pushing Kirk Ferentz’s total drafted players to an insane 101. And if that wasn’t enough, five more Iowa Undrafted Free Agents landed on teams once the draft wrapped up. We’re already seeing some rookies make noise in preseason, with Pittsburgh’s Kaden Wetjen exploding right out of the gate.
Steelers’ Iowa Crew Is Stacked
The Steelers are practically an Iowa reunion this year, rolling with a whopping seven former Hawkeyes on their roster. Kaden Wetjen, a fourth-round pick at No. 121, was expected to be their top kick returner, and man, did he deliver in the first preseason game against the Packers. He snatched a slant pass and flat-out weaved his way for a ridiculous 74-yard gain! Then, on the very next drive, he punched in his first NFL touchdown with a 5-yard pass. He even returned three kickoffs for 61 yards, averaging 20.3 yards with a long of 25. That kind of instant impact? Steelers fans have to be losing their minds.
Another Hawkeye, Gennings Dunker, a third-round pick at No. 96, is slated to be a role player, maybe 2nd or 3rd string while he hones his footwork. He looked solid in the opener against the Packers, but he just missed practice due to an undisclosed injury and is being held out of the upcoming Jets game as a precaution. Hopefully, it’s nothing serious. Not everyone is locked in though. Kaleb Johnson is reportedly “on thin ice” and might not make the final cut. That’s the brutal side of preseason. Logan Lee, Yahya Black, Sebastian Castro, and Brandon Smith round out the Iowa contingent there.
Rookies Making Moves All Over the League
Out in Chicago, Logan Jones, picked 57th overall in the second round, is eyeing a future at center. The spot opened up after the prior Bears starting center, Drew Dalman, unexpectedly retired, but veteran Garrett Bradbury is still the clear starter. Jones won’t be starting, but he is pushing for that future. And hey, you can’t talk Bears football without giving a shoutout to Tory Taylor, the punter now entering his third season. You know, “punting is winning” and all that.
Over in Miami, rookie UDFA quarterback Mark Gronowski had a wild start. He got released on August 7, right before the Dolphins’ season opener. Talk about a gut punch, right? But then, just nine days later, rookie QB Quinn Ewers went down with a groin injury during the game, and the backup QBs struggled. What happens? The Dolphins re-signed Gronowski! That’s a rollercoaster of emotions in less than two weeks. Max Llewellyn, a seventh-round pick, also landed with the Fins. Down in New Orleans, TJ Hall, another seventh-rounder, has shown flashes but is clearly going through some rookie growing pains. He’ll likely be a special teams guy as he develops. And in Arizona, sixth-round pick Karson Sharar had a slow start.
These rookies are battling hard to carve out their spots, and with preseason games still rolling, every snap counts. Wetjen’s performance is definitely one to watch, especially for Steelers fans, as he eyes that top returner spot. Let’s see who else steps up as these new guys fight to make their mark!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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