Iowa Hawkeyes In NFL Rosters 2026: The Full Story
Iowa Hawkeyes in NFL Rosters 2026: The Full Story
In 2026, a record seven Iowa Hawkeyes were drafted into the NFL, marking the highest total since the league's modern seven-round format began, with additional undrafted free agents signing deals to bolster rosters across multiple teams. Veterans like George Kittle and Tristan Wirfs continue anchoring elite squads, while five former players earned 2026 Pro Bowl nods, showcasing Iowa's enduring NFL pipeline. This comprehensive breakdown details every Hawkeye on active 2026 NFL rosters as of May 2026.
2026 NFL Draft Haul
The 2026 NFL Draft, held April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, saw Iowa shatter records with seven selections, surpassing the previous high of six in 1985. Logan Jones, the center, went first at No. 57 overall to the Chicago Bears in Round 2, praised for his 6'6", 305-pound frame and All-Big Ten honors. This draft class emphasized trench warfare, with three offensive linemen selected early.
Steelers GM Omar Khan called the Iowa picks "blue-collar steals" after grabbing Gennings Dunker (Round 3, No. 96) and Kaden Wetjen (Round 4, No. 121), the latter a 6'3" wide receiver with 1,247 college receiving yards. Day 3 yielded four more: Beau Stephens (guard, Seahawks, Round 5, No. 148), Karson Sharar (LB, Cardinals, Round 6, No. 183), TJ Hall (CB, Saints, Round 7, No. 219), and Max Llewellyn (EDGE, Dolphins, Round 7, No. 238).
- Logan Jones (C, Chicago Bears, Rd 2 Pick 57): 92.3 PFF pass-block grade in senior year.
- Gennings Dunker (OL, Pittsburgh Steelers, Rd 3 Pick 96): Started 38 games at tackle.
- Kaden Wetjen (WR, Pittsburgh Steelers, Rd 4 Pick 121): 68 catches, 9 TDs over final two seasons.
- Beau Stephens (G, Seattle Seahawks, Rd 5 Pick 148): Third OL drafted, 6'5" versatility.
- Karson Sharar (LB, Arizona Cardinals, Rd 6 Pick 183): 112 tackles, Big Ten Defensive Freshman of Year.
- TJ Hall (CB, New Orleans Saints, Rd 7 Pick 219): Lone DB taken, 4 INTs in 2025.
- Max Llewellyn (EDGE, Miami Dolphins, Rd 7 Pick 238): Urbandale native, 11 sacks in college.
Undrafted Free Agents
Beyond the draft, five Hawkeyes inked undrafted free agent (UDFA) contracts immediately post-draft on April 27, 2026, capitalizing on Iowa's reputation for overachievers. Ethan Hurkett, a defensive end with 8.5 sacks, joined the Kansas City Chiefs, while Aaron Graves (DT) signed with the Baltimore Ravens. These moves highlight coaches' trust in Hawkeye fundamentals amid roster battles.
| Player | Position | Team | College Stats | Projected Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethan Hurkett | DE | Kansas City Chiefs | 8.5 sacks, 18 TFL | Rotational edge |
| Aaron Graves | DT | Baltimore Ravens | 45 tackles, 5 sacks | Depth nose tackle |
| Hayden Large | TE | Chicago Bears | 28 rec, 412 yds | H-back specialist |
| Xavier Nwankpa | S | Kansas City Chiefs | 3 INTs, 65 tackles | Special teams |
| Mark Gronowski | QB | Miami Dolphins | 68% comp, 25 TDs (FCS transfer) | Practice squad camp |
Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo noted on Hurkett: "His get-off is explosive-perfect for our scheme." As of May 13, 2026, all five remain in OTAs, with Large drawing Y tight end buzz in Chicago.
Active NFL Roster Veterans
Iowa boasts 15-20 players on 2026 NFL rosters, blending stars and depth pieces, per depth chart trackers. Pro Bowl quintet-Tyler Linderbaum (Ravens, 3rd Pro Bowl), Cooper DeJean (Eagles DB, 1st), Jack Campbell (Lions LB, 1st), Tristan Wirfs (Bucs OT, 5th), and George Kittle (49ers TE, 7th)-dominated selections announced December 22, 2025. Their collective 17 Pro Bowls underscore Iowa's elite development.
- George Kittle (SF TE): 835 rec yds, 11 TDs in 2025; "Best TE alive," per Kyle Shanahan.
- Tristan Wirfs (TB OT): 95.1 PFF grade, zero sacks allowed in playoffs.
- Tyler Linderbaum (BAL C): Led NFL centers with 85.2 run-block win rate.
- Cooper DeJean (PHI CB): 4 INTs, Pro Football Focus All-Pro honorable mention.
- Jack Campbell (DET LB): 128 tackles, first alternate for Defensive Rookie honors (delayed).
- Riley Moss (DEN CB): 62 tackles, 2 INTs in Year 3 breakout.
- Sam LaPorta (DET TE): 813 yds, Hawkeye record for TEs in a season chase.
- Nick Niemann (GB ILB): 45% snap share increase in 2025.
"Iowa produces plug-and-play pros. Their O-line class alone could start Week 1." - ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr., post-draft April 26, 2026.
Team-by-Team Breakdown
Chicago Bears lead with four Hawkeyes: drafted Jones and UDFA Large, plus holdovers. Pittsburgh doubled down with Dunker and Wetjen, eyeing playoff pushes. Chiefs added two UDFAs to their Super Bowl core, while Ravens and Dolphins snagged late-round gems.
| Team | Players | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears | Logan Jones, Hayden Large | 2 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Gennings Dunker, Kaden Wetjen | 2 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | Ethan Hurkett, Xavier Nwankpa | 2 |
| Seattle Seahawks | Beau Stephens | 1 |
| Arizona Cardinals | Karson Sharar | 1 |
| New Orleans Saints | TJ Hall | 1 |
| Miami Dolphins | Max Llewellyn, Mark Gronowski | 2 |
| San Francisco 49ers | George Kittle | 1 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tristan Wirfs | 1 |
| Baltimore Ravens | Tyler Linderbaum, Aaron Graves | 2 |
Detroit Lions feature dual threats in Campbell and LaPorta, contributing to their 12-5 2025 campaign. This distribution spans 12 teams, proving Iowa's national reach.
Historical Context
Iowa's NFL legacy dates to 1923, but the 2020s boom-averaging 12-15 actives annually-stems from Kirk Ferentz's 27-year tenure, ending 2025 with a 9-4 record. The program hit 25 rostered players in 2023, dipping slightly before 2026's surge. Stats show Hawkeyes average 3.2 Pro Bowls per class since 2015.
- 1985: 6 draftees, last record before 2026.
- 2021: 4 first-rounders, including Wirfs at No. 13.
- 2024: DeJean (No. 40), Linderbaum's rookie rise.
- Pro Bowls: Kittle's 7 lead; Wirfs chases All-Pro triple crown.
Performance Projections
Rookies like Jones project as Day 1 starters (85% snap share per PFF mocks), while UDFAs face 60% cut risks but 25% practice squad locks. Veterans: Kittle eyes 900+ yards in Year 11; Wirfs anchors Bucs' line amid Tom Brady retirement fallout. Overall, Hawkeyes rank top-15 in NFL college pipelines per OverTheCap data.
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Everything you need to know about Iowa Hawkeyes In Nfl Roster 2026
Which Iowa Hawkeye had the highest 2026 draft pick?
Logan Jones was selected 57th overall by the Bears, the highest slot and first Iowa center drafted since 2010.
How many Pro Bowls did George Kittle earn by 2026?
George Kittle secured his seventh Pro Bowl in 2026, tying him for third among active TEs.
Did any Iowa players sign UDFA after 2026 draft?
Yes, five signed: Hurkett (Chiefs), Graves (Ravens), Large (Bears), Nwankpa (Chiefs), Gronowski (Dolphins).
What's Iowa's record for drafted players?
Seven in 2026 ties the modern-era mark, with potential undrafted successes pushing total impact higher.
Which teams have multiple Hawkeyes in 2026?
Bears, Steelers, Chiefs, Ravens, and Dolphins each roster at least two.