Where will Iowa State's top prospects go in NFL draft? T.J. Tampa's best/worst-case scenarios
The 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday and ends Saturday, and a few Iowa State football players hope to hear their name called during one of the seven rounds.
Cornerback T.J. Tampa is the lone Cyclones expected to be selected, though, and is considered one of the better CBs in this class, according to several mock drafts.
The last time ISU had only one player drafted in a single year was 2021 (Kene Nwangwu, RB, 119th overall to Minnesota Vikings).
Three Cyclones were picked in last year's draft: DE Will McDonald IV (15th overall, New York Jets), WR Xavier Hutchinson (205th, Houston Texans) and DB Anthony Johnson Jr. (242nd, Green Bay Packers).
Let's look at the best- and worst-case draft scenarios for Tampa, as well as the handful of other Cyclones hoping to turn pro:
More: Top landing spots for Iowa State's NFL draft prospects: Projections for T.J. Tampa
CB T.J. Tampa draft projection: Best-case scenario
Tampa's realistic best-case scenario in the NFL Draft is being selected in the first round.
CBS analyst Jared Dubin thinks Tampa can go 27th overall to the Arizona Cardinals, while most other mock drafts project Tampa to go in the second or third round.
If Tampa is to rise up draft boards into the elite first 32 picks, it'll likely be because a team likes his physicals, durability and football I.Q.
The 2023 third-team Associated Press All-American and first-team All-Big 12 Conference selection accumulated 84 total tackles, 8.0 TFLs and three interceptions over the last two seasons, starting all 24 games. He progressively improved in each of his four seasons with the Cyclones, and an NFL franchise could believe he still has plenty of room to grow into a productive starter at the next level.
In addition to Arizona, teams like the Buffalo Bills (28th pick), Detroit Lions (29th), Baltimore Ravens (30th) and Kansas City Chiefs (32nd) all need cornerbacks, which bodes well for Tampa's chances of sneaking into the first round.
CB T.J. Tampa draft projection: Worst-case scenario
Tampa's realistic worst-case scenario in the NFL Draft is falling out of the third round.
For a player as gifted and productive as Tampa, being selected in the fourth round or later would indicate a significant slide from where he has been consistently projected to be picked.
Some of Tampa's weaknesses are some technique issues, lack of top-end speed, "spotty" open-field tackling and some inconsistencies against shiftier route runners, according to nfl.com. As NFL receivers continue to shine with their athleticism and playmaking ability, cornerbacks can be exposed if they show even the slightest deficiencies.
Franchises may be hesitant to select a bigger-bodied cornerback without elite athleticism, despite Tampa's long arms, big hands and overall strength.
A later draft slot, especially at a competitive and deep position like defensive back, might also make Tampa's chances of making a roster or competition for playing time significantly more difficult, in addition to a significant pay cut compared to a first-round pick.
TE Easton Dean, WR Dimitri Stanley, LB Gerry Vaughn, K Chase Contreraz: Best-case scenario
Iowa State's other draft-eligible prospects aren't expected to be selected during one of the three draft days.
Dean, Stanley, Vaughn and Contreraz's best-case scenario instead is to be signed as undrafted free agents on Sunday or Monday, or perhaps later this year if they remain in consideration by teams.
Gus Martin is a Digital Producer/Content Director for The Des Moines Register. Follow him on X at @GusMartin_DMR.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa State's NFL draft prospects: Best/worst-case scenarios T.J. Tampa
