NFL Draft: Final national predictions on where top Cyclones, Hawkeyes will land

We're a day from perhaps the most consequential NFL Draft for the state of Iowa in a generation. 

Two Hawkeye tight ends are headed to the first-round green room in Nashville, Tennessee. A pair of Cyclone stars appear to be surefire Day 2 choices. Another Iowa defensive duo could share a similar Friday selection fate.

By now, we know that a bunch of in-state drama will be shaking out between now and Saturday. So let's take one last look at what the experts think before draft weekend consumes the thoughts of football fans everywhere.

A reminder: The starting point for choosing to take a closer look at these half-dozen players is the opinion of 25-year general manager and recent Pro Football Hall of Fame honoree Gil Brandt, who ranked the talent levels of his top 150 prospects, In addition, all draft projections, where available, are as of Wednesday morning.

For more extended analysis on each individual featured below, check out our report from last Wednesday.

T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa (6-foot-5, 251 pounds at NFL Combine)

The Chariton stalwart has continued to do a remarkable job of keeping his official visits quiet. That's not nothing to deter his draft stock. He appears to be a top-10 lock.

The Combine numbers you'll see once he's drafted: 4.7-second 40-yard dash; 17 bench-press repetitions; 37.5-inch vertical jump; 123-inch broad jump; 7.02-second 3-cone drill; shuttle times of 4.18 seconds (20 yards) and 11.55 seconds (60 yards).

More:NFL Draft pick T.J. Hockenson is the pride of Chariton, especially this week

Mock draft projections

Luke Easterling, USA TODAY DraftWire: No. 8, Detroit Lions

Nate Davis, USA TODAY: No. 7, Jacksonville Jaguars

Charles Davis, NFL Network: No. 9, Buffalo Bills

R.J. White, CBS Sports: No. 14, Detroit

Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay co-draft, ESPN: No. 7, Jacksonville

Kiper Prospect Big Board: No. 8 overall, No. 1 tight end

McShay Prospect Big Board: No. 6 overall

DraftTek compendium (a seven-round mock updated frequently): No. 9, Buffalo

Noah Fant, Iowa, TE (6-4, 249)

The official visit tally for Fant has added Jacksonville since last week, which is interesting considering the number of national mocks that are putting his teammate, Hockenson, in the Jaguars' first-round camp. Otherwise, the known visits remain at Denver, Detroit, Minnesota, New England, New York Jets and San Francisco.

Combine numbers: 4.5-second 40-yard dash; 20 bench-press repetitions; 39.5-inch vertical jump; 127-inch broad jump; 6.81-second 3-cone drill; shuttle times of 4.22 seconds (20 yards) and 11.49 seconds (60 yards).

Mock draft projections

Easterling: No. 30, Green Bay Packers

Nate Davis: No. 9, Buffalo

Charles Davis: No. 12, Green Bay

White: No. 20, Pittsburgh Steelers

Kiper/McShay: No. 30, Green Bay

Kiper Big Board: No. 30 overall, No. 3 tight end

McShay Big Board: No. 12 overall

DraftTek compendium: No. 24, Oakland Raiders

FULL USA TODAY FIRST-ROUND MOCK: See the projections here

David Montgomery, Iowa State, RB (5-10, 222)

Once you get past the first round, the last-minute moving-and-shaking about who might go where tends to die down. For now, we know that the Jets and Philadelphia Eagles have remained overtly interested. From there, start guessing.

Combine numbers: 4.63-second 40-yard dash; 15 bench-press repetitions; 28.5-inch vertical jump; 121-inch broad jump.

Mock draft and other projections

Easterling: No. 2-rated running back in class

White: No. 80, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Kiper/McShay: No. 99, Los Angeles Rams

Kiper Big Board: No. 128 overall, No. 7 running back

McShay Big Board: No. 79 overall

DraftTek compendium: No. 87, Chicago Bears

Hakeem Butler, Iowa State, WR (6-5, 227)

It seems as though other receivers are leapfrogging Hakeem Butler as the draft process unfolds. Mel Kiper, for example, has him outside the top 10 in this year's class at the position.

But his previously reported official visits to Baltimore, Washington and San Francisco all indicate that someone could easily take a shot on the gifted wideout.

Combine numbers: 4.48-second 40-yard dash; 18 bench-press repetitions; 36-inch vertical jump; 128-inch broad jump.

Mock draft and other projections

Easterling: No. 2-rated receiver in the class

White: No. 66, Pittsburgh

Kiper/McShay: No. 77, Carolina Panthers

Kiper Big Board: No. 116 overall, No. 13 wide receiver

McShay Big Board; No. 66 overall

DraftTek compendium: No. 26, Indianapolis Colts

Amani Hooker, Iowa, S (5-11, 210)

No changes since last week on the visit front for the versatile Hawkeyes defensive back. Minnesota, Oakland and Tennessee have shown the most outward interest.

Combine numbers: 4.48-second 40-yard dash; 14 bench-press repetitions; 37-inch vertical jump; 123-inch broad jump; 6.81-second 3-cone drill; shuttle times of 4.1 seconds (20 yards) and 11.59 seconds (60 yards).

Mock draft and other projections

Easterling: No. 6-rated safety in the class

White: No. 84, Kansas City Chiefs (White's draft does not reflect a recent trade of third-round picks between Kansas City and the Seattle Seahawks, so we have adjusted his pick number here)

Kiper/McShay: No. 91, Los Angeles Chargers

Kiper Big Board: No. 66 overall, No. 9 safety

McShay Big Board: No. 91 overall

DraftTek compendium: No. 98, Jacksonville

Anthony Nelson, Iowa, DE (6-7, 271)

A small note as Nelson settles into his mid-round draft fate: In addition to the interest shown by Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay at the recent Combine, the Waukee product also had Senior Bowl sit-downs with both Baltimore and the Arizona Cardinals.

Combine numbers: 4.82-second 40-yard dash; 18 bench-press repetitions; 35.5-inch vertical jump; 118-inch broad jump; 6.95-second 3-cone drill; 4.23-second shuttle time (20 yards).

Mock draft and other projections

Easterling: No. 9-rated edge defender in the class

White: No. 92, Seattle (White's draft does not reflect a recent trade of third-round picks between Kansas City and the Seattle Seahawks, so we have adjusted his pick number here)

Kiper Big Board: No. 120 overall, No. 11 defensive end

McShay Big Board: No. 101 overall

DraftTek compendium: No. 95, New York Giants