Iowa Hawkeyes NFL Draft Projections 2025: Insider notes on Yahya Black, Luke Lachey, and more by Tony Pauline

The Hawkeyes had one of the best defenses in the Big Ten last season and an offense that was near-rotten. So it’s no surprise that three of their four draft picks in April’s event came from the defensive side of the ball, including the top punter in the event, while the only selection from the scoring side of the ball was someone who barely played half the season.

This year’s class of pro prospects is good on both sides of the ball and offers players with a lot of potential.

Iowa Hawkeyes' NFL Draft 2025 Preview

#1 Yahya Black

Last summer, I wrote the following during my Iowa preview:

“Yahya Black is a defender to keep an eye on. He has terrific size and athleticism and can be an overwhelming force. Black was used on a rotational basis last season, but he comes with incredible upside.”

I gave Black a fourth-round grade in the summer of 2023, and since then, he’s elevated his game. Last season, Black was an every-game starter and a force in the middle of the line.

Yahya Black - NCAA Football (Iowa at Nebraska)

He was constantly attracting double-team blocks, yet he still caused a commotion. He’s not all the way there and has a lot of room for improvement, which is why I gave him a third-round grade. If he really takes off and meets expectations, Black could end up a top-45 pick in 2025.

Offensive line, tight end, and safety are three positions where Iowa has made significant contributions to the NFL draft, and there is a lot of talent at those three spots on the roster.

Right tackle Gennings Dunker is someone who impresses me. He’s strong and fundamentally sound. He does a great job in pass protection or run blocking. I view him more as a power gap blocker.

Gennings Dunker - Iowa City Press (NCAA Football)

#2 Luke Lachey

Were it not for a season-ending injury two games into last season, there’s a good chance tight end Luke Lachey would’ve been a middle-round pick in April.

He’s a tall, athletic pass catcher with outstanding size and solid speed. If we assume Lachey can get back to full health, he projects as a middle-round choice, possibly earlier.

Luke Lachey - NCAA Football (Western Michigan at Iowa)

#3 Addison Ostrenga

His backup, junior Addison Ostrenga, is also a legitimate middle-round prospect. Ostrenga is more of a traditional tight end than the downfield threat Lachey poses. Still, he’s the type of tight end you want on the field on third down and in the red zone.

#4 Sebastian Castro

There is a lot of love for safety Sebastian Castro in the scouting community. He’s an explosive downhill defensive back who dominates against the run and is solid in pass coverage between the numbers. Castro projects as zone safety rather than a traditional center fielder.

Iowa Hawkeyes 2025 NFL Draft Projections

Here is my early verdict for Kirk Ferentz's men:

Iowa Next-level Prospects
Grade	Rnd	Pos	Full Name	Yr	#
3.65	3rd	DT	Yahya Black	5Sr	94
3.55	4th	T	Gennings Dunker	4Jr	67
3.52M	4th	TE	Luke Lachey	6Sr	85
3.49	4-5	S	Sebastian Castro	5Sr	29
3.47	5th	TE	Addison Ostrenga	3Jr	87
3.37	6th	G	Connor Colby	4Sr	N
3.32	6th	ILB	Nick Jackson	6Sr	6
3.31	6th	ILB	Jay Higgins	5Sr	34
3.15	FA	CB	Deshaun Lee	3So	8
3.11	FA	S	Quinn Schulte	5Sr	30
3.02	FA	CB	Jermari Harris	5Sr	27
2.95	FA	RB	Leshon Williams	5Sr	4
2.93	FA	C	Logan Jones	5Sr	65
2.89	FA	T	Mason Richman	5Sr	78
2.86	FA	DE	Deontae Craig	5Sr	45
2.80	FA	QB	Cade McNamara	6Sr	12