Where Iowa Rookies Landed In The NFL

Goodson hangs on after flashy preseason

Running back Tyler Goodson surprised many when he declared for the NFL Draft at the end of last season. He did not waste time proving the doubters wrong with his play in the preseason. Goodson went undrafted, but he caught on as a free agent with Green Bay. Known for his pass-catching ability out of the backfield, he earned a healthy amount of playing time in the preseason. Goodson had 29 carries for 107 yards and a touchdown. In another surprise, he did not make the final roster cut this week. The Packers were able to bring him back in the building as a member of the practice squad.

Injuries slow two Iowa rookies

A pair of Iowa rookies were tripped up by injuries in the preseason but still have a shot to see some playing time.

Dane Belton was drafted in the fourth round by the New York Giants and was the final rookie the team signed to a contract in the spring. He was a standout during training camp before breaking his collarbone early in August. Charean Williams of NBC Sports wrote that the Giants were holding out hope that he would be ready for week one when New York faces Tennessee. Belton avoided surgery and has been back at practice, which is encouraging, but his status for week one is still unclear. He remains a member of the 53-man roster.

When Belton’s Giants visit the Titans, we know kicker Caleb Shudak will not be active. Shudak hit the PUP list in training camp and will not be eligible to play through the first four games. Mike Vrabel liked what he saw in the kicker before injury, according to Hawk Central’s Kennington Lloyd Smith III, so the expectation is for him to suit up later in the season.

Hankins and VanValkenburg trending up

Defensive back Matt Hankins had a slow start to training camp, signed with the Atlanta Falcons. The secondary is the one area where the Falcons have quite a bit of depth. As the preseason went on, Hankins started to find some of the mojo that made him a key part of Iowa’s top-notch secondary in 2021. He has stuck with the practice squad for now but it is easy to see his number being called if injury should strike. The Giants have already been hit hard by the injury bug, as Gridiron Heroics’ Greg Peisel illustrates.

Zach VanValkenburg had to battle to stand out with a deep position group as well. The Raiders loaded up on pass rushers in the offseason, looking for complements to Maxx Crosby. VanValkenburg put an exclamation mark on his preseason with a sack on Patriots QB Bailey Zappe last week. He is staying with Las Vegas as a practice squad member for now. Keep an eye on how the Raiders rotate on the defensive line. If they are throwing a lot of bodies out there to relieve Crosby and Chandler Jones, it is possible a spot opens up for VanValkenburg.

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