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Todd McShay

Find the most comprehensive analysis on Kade Pieper, featuring Todd McShay’s evaluations. Official measurables, advanced analytics, and a scout’s eye provide the most in-depth breakdown of a prospect’s strengths and weaknesses, NFL draft projection, and potential at the next level.

Offensive Center

Kade Pieper

Grade92 /100
Pos Rank1
OVR Rank17
School
IOWA

Experience

Played26
Started14
Todd McShay

Position-Specific Grades

MEASURABLES

Height(E)
6' 3 7/8"
Todd McShay
Weight(E)
298lbs
Todd McShay

The Takeaway

The Player

Pieper is an athletic, tough, and relentless interior offensive lineman. He fires off, latches on, plays with good pad level, and moves his feet in the run game. As a zone blocker, he cuts off backside linebackers and defensive tackles, gets to the second level quickly, and tracks linebackers effectively on combo blocks.

He moves well when pulling and has the range to get downfield on screens. Pieper is athletic and big enough to cover defenders in space while generating movement at the line of scrimmage. He’s not a classic massive mauler, but his toughness and relentlessness stand out.

He’s on the lighter side, and bigger defensive tackles can stand him up at times. Pieper can fall off blocks late and get overaggressive, causing him to glance off defenders in space. 

In pass protection, Pieper pops out of his stance, shoots his hands, and latches on. He mirrors well once locked, rewraps his hands, and uses a wide base to dig in against power rushers. However, he can struggle to stay in front when he doesn’t win with his hands and defenders get into his frame. He also doesn’t appear to have ideal arm length.

A redshirt junior, Pieper played 11 games in 2024 before starting all 13 at right guard in 2025. He earned third-team All–Big Ten honors from the media and an All–Big Ten honorable mention from the coaches as part of Iowa’s Joe Moore Award–winning offensive line. He was also named to Iowa’s 2026 Leadership Council.