Former Iowa Hawkeyes Klug, Ballard provide value in NFL draft

IOWA CITY - Karl Klug often was the forgotten man of Iowa's formidable defensive front line that last two years.

The Caledonia, Minn., native often was overshadowed by Adrian Clayborn and Christian Ballard when it came to notoriety. But when it came to making plays on tape, Klug was right there with his higher-profile teammates.

“I love Klug,” said NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock. “He's the guy that nobody talks about on that very, very highly publicized defensive line, and he may have been the best collegiate player out of all of them. That doesn't mean he's going to be the best NFL player, though.”

The end result among the three won't be determined for years to come. Clayborn is projected as a mid-to-late first-round pick. Ballard likely is a second-round selection. Klug is slotted anywhere from the fourth to the sixth round. If all three are selected, it's the first time Iowa will have three defensive linemen drafted by NFL teams in the same year.

Klug, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 275 pounds, started at defensive tackle the last two seasons. He's quick, strong and physical but likely either will move to the outside or be used situationally in NFL schemes. Most NFL defensive tackles weigh at least 290 pounds, and Klug's frame is limited.

“He's a tweener where teams are going to have to work hard to find him (a spot),” Mayock said. “I don't think he can stand up. He's not fast enough to play on the edge. But despite being undersized, he's going to have to play inside, and I think teams are going to have to find creative times to use him, third down, nickel, etc. I think he's going to go in the fourth or fifth round. He was one of my favorite players all year to watch.”

Dan Shonka, general manager and national scout for Our Lads Scouting Services, thinks Klug could play a rush end in a 3-4 alignment.

“He's got good explosion, he's got good flexibility, he can run a tackle back or a tight end or whoever's trying to block him back to the quarterback,” Shonka said. “His legs and his body never stop. He's always moving. If you've got a guy like that rushing the passer, you've got a chance to get there because he's a disruptive guy.”

Klug said most of his discussions with scouts and general managers center around playing defensive end or strongside linebacker.

“I'm just getting kind of anxious,” he said.

Ballard has options based on his versatility at Iowa. Ballard started about equal numbers of games over three seasons at defensive end and defensive tackle in a 4-3 scheme, but his build - 6-4, 285 - dictates he could play defensive end in a 3-4.

“Ballard, I struggle with, not because he's a bad football player, he's got all kinds of upside,” Mayock said. “He's got the body type to play in a 3-4 or 4-3. He flashes big-play ability. He probably has the ability to be a first-round guy, but he didn't always have the productivity.

“I'm not being negative, but I don't where I'd want to play him. He can play the 5-technique, he can play inside. He's the kind of guy on the positive side that can provide positional versatility. On the negative side, you just want to see the same consistency of effort for every snap, and he's got to be more stout at the point of attack. But he's got the tools to do all those things.”

Ballard has no preference on which position he'll play.

“I played so much of both throughout my college career that it's kind of like I played a little bit more defensive end so I'm a little more comfortable there,” Ballard said. “I can honestly play anywhere I'm asked.”