Kade Pieper

NFL Draft Profile: Kade Pieper

Position: Offensive Guard (OG) | School: Iowa | Class: Redshirt Sophomore

Height: 6'4" | Weight: 295 lbs | Archetype: Run Blocker (Wide Zone Specialist)

College Career Summary

Kade Pieper is the latest "farm-built" standout to emerge from the Iowa Hawkeyes' offensive line factory. A former Nebraska state shot put record-holder and district MVP on defense in high school, Pieper flipped his commitment from NDSU to Iowa, where he spent his first two seasons developing his frame.

In the 2025 season, Pieper took over the starting Right Guard role and became a breakout star. He earned Third-Team All-Big Ten honors and established himself as a statistical anomaly in pass protection. Despite playing in a physical, run-heavy Big Ten conference, Pieper went the entire 2025 regular season without allowing a single sack. His combination of "freak" athletic testing—holding Iowa records for offensive linemen in the vertical jump (37 inches)—and technical discipline has catapulted him into the Day 2/early Day 3 conversation for the 2026 NFL Draft.

Career Stats & Highlights

• Career Starts: 12 (All in 2025)

• 2025 Sacks Allowed: 0

• 2025 Pressures Allowed: 8

• Pancakes: ~42 (2025 Season)

• Holding Penalties: 1 (2025)

• Honors: 2025 Third-Team All-Big Ten; Iowa Offensive Line Vertical Jump Record Holder (37").

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	vs UAlbany	A	Dominated physically; cleared massive lanes for the ground game.
2	@ Iowa State	B+	Clean in pass protection; handled the rivalry noise well.
3	vs UMass	A-	High effort on the second level; erased linebackers on pulls.
4	@ Rutgers	B	Solid performance; showcased elite lateral recovery.
5	vs Indiana	C+	Worst Game. Flagged for holding; struggled with leverage late.
7	@ Wisconsin	A	Perfect pass-pro grade; won the battle in the trenches.
8	vs Penn State	B+	Neutralized 1st-round talent on the interior; elite anchor.
9	vs Minnesota	A	The Apex. Total displacement; led a 200+ yard team rushing day.
11	vs Oregon	B-	Challenged by elite speed; held firm but pad level was inconsistent.
12	@ USC	B	Great range on outside zone; maintained pocket integrity.
13	vs Michigan St	B+	Gritty "Big Ten" battle; physical finish through the whistle.
14	@ Nebraska	A-	Returned to his home state and dominated; technically flawless.

Scouting Grade Rubric

Intangibles (.20) — Grade: 94/100

• Leadership: High; quiet leader who leads by example with high-effort reps.

• Mental Toughness: Plus; successfully transitioned from a 240lb high schooler to a 295lb Big Ten starter.

• Competitor: Elite; high-hustle player who "hunts" linebackers.

• Team Player: High; selfless blocker who excels in combo-block scenarios.

• Star: Moderate/High; his athletic testing suggests a massive pro ceiling.

Physical Tools (.20) — Grade: 88/100

• Height/Weight: 6'4", 295 lbs. (Meets height; Below weight benchmark). Needs to add mass.

• Stamina: Elite; "Freak" athlete who maintains 100% effort through the 4th quarter.

• Durability: High; started every game in 2025 without missing a snap.

• Injury History: Medically clean.

Attributes (.20) — Grade: 91/100

• Run Block: Strength. Elite reach-blocking ability in Wide Zone schemes.

• Pass Block: Plus; remarkably reliable (0 sacks allowed in '25).

• Strength: Plus; explosive "shot put" power translates to a violent initial punch.

• Technique: High; very well-coached in his hand placement and leverage.

• High Motor: Non-stop; often the first lineman downfield on long gains.

Athleticism (.20) — Grade: 97/100

• Speed: Outlier. 1.52-second 10-yard split is elite for any position.

• Agility: Plus; exceptional ability to mirror twitchy sub-package rushers.

• Flexibility: High; natural "knee-bender" with very loose hips.

• Acceleration: Sudden; fires out of his stance with violence.

• Footwork: Clinical; very quick, choppy feet that prevent "turning."

IQ (.20) — Grade: 92/100

• Awareness: High; exceptional at passing off stunts and diagnosing blitzes.

Scouting Report

• Strengths: Generational explosive metrics (37" vertical, sub-1.6 10-yard split); technically precise pass protector (zero sacks allowed at Iowa); "mean streak" in the run game; elite reach-blocking range for zone schemes.

• Weaknesses: Weight/Bulk. Currently playing at 295 lbs, which is lean for an NFL guard; can struggle against 330lb+ nose tackles who anchor well; height is slightly below the "ideal" 6'5" frame.

• Scheme Fit: Ideal for a Wide Zone or Shanahan-style offense (e.g., 49ers, Rams, Dolphins).

• NFL Comparison: Chris Lindstrom / Alijah Vera-Tucker.

Scout's Final Word

"Kade Pieper is an 'athletic outlier' in the best way possible. While he needs to add another 10–15 lbs of functional bulk to his frame, his movement skills are already at a Pro Bowl level. For a zone-heavy team, he is the perfect 'move' piece who can pull, reach, and climb. His zero-sack production in the Big Ten proves he has the technique to match the athleticism. Draft Projection: 3rd Round."