Could a reunion for two Iowa Hawkeyes linemen next year? The 2026 NFL Draft saw Logan Jones, Iowa’s highly decorated All-American center, go to the Chicago Bears, where he figures to have an opportunity to earn the starting job and be yet another talent pumped out of the Iowa offensive line factory.
Along with Jones, Gennings Dunker and Beau Stephens are each headed to NFL homes. Dunker was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, which is turning into an Iowa pipeline of talent, while Stephens went to Seattle, where he will reunite with Mason Richman, another Iowa Hawkeye.
With that talent departing, some may wonder if Iowa has NFL-ready talent on the roster. The short answer is a very easy yes. Kade Pieper, the Nebraska native, is getting attention with an appearance in the first round of Pro Football Focus’ way-too-early 2027 NFL mock draft, where he would join Logan Jones in Chicago.
16. Chicago Bears: IOL Kade Pieper, Iowa
The Bears selected Iowa center Logan Jones with the 57th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Pieper will transition from guard to replace Jones at center this season for the Hawkeyes, and if his form carries over, there is no reason he will not be the first interior offensive lineman selected next year. The bulldozing run-blocking style of these Iowa offensive linemen could remind Ben Johnson of players like Frank Ragnow in Detroit.
There was a belief that Kade Pieper could have declared for the NFL draft this past year and joined the trio of Iowa offensive linemen taken. He has the experience to go with the comfort level that NFL teams have in drafting Iowa offensive linemen. In three years, he has played in 25 games, while starting all 13 games in 2025.
At 6-foot-4, he has the height to compete in the NFL. The question for Kade Pieper could be around what he weighs in at. Currently listed at 290 pounds, he could be a little light in the britches in the NFL in pass protection against some of the bigger interior defensive linemen. Where he makes up for that is with his athleticism to pull, block in space, and use his leverage and quickness to mitigate sheer size.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire : Iowa football talent going in first round of PFF 2027 NFL mock draft
Reporting by Riley Donald, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
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