IOWA CITY, Iowa — With three selections in the top 34 and four picks in the first three rounds, Iowa was well represented in the NFL Draft this weekend.

Green Bay selected defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness with the 13th pick, and Detroit drafted linebacker Jack Campbell five picks later. It marked only the fourth time in program history the Hawkeyes had multiple first-round picks in the same draft. Then, just three picks into the second round, the Lions chose tight end Sam LaPorta at No. 34. And Denver chose defensive back Riley Moss at No. 83 in the third round.

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Iowa now has 26 first-round selections, with Green Bay and Detroit leading the way with five apiece. The Packers have taken more Hawkeyes overall (22) and under Kirk Ferentz (seven), while the Lions rank second (17) and tied for third (five) in those categories. The Broncos have taken six Ferentz players, one spot behind Green Bay and eight overall.

Van Ness was Iowa’s highest-drafted defensive lineman since Alex Karras was selected at No. 10 in 1958. Campbell was the Hawkeyes’ second first-round linebacker, joining Chad Greenway in 2006. LaPorta became the 12th tight end drafted under Ferentz, while Moss was the 18th defensive back.

Here are other Iowa-related facts and figures following the draft:

How do the draft picks fit?

Clearly, Van Ness (6 feet 5, 272 pounds) was a value selection for the Packers, but he also was necessary. The Packers finished with 34 sacks last year, ranking 27th in the NFL. Top edge rusher Rashan Gary tore his ACL in November, and 30-year-old outside linebacker Preston Smith led the team with 8 1/2 sacks. Van Ness can set a hard edge in Green Bay’s 3-4 defense and is considered an outside linebacker. He is likely to start early, if not by training camp.

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Campbell (6-5, 249) should have every chance to start right away at inside linebacker in Detroit. He wasn’t projected to go at No. 18, but other teams lurking in the mid-20s were prepared to draft him. Campbell’s combination of college production, high football IQ and instant leadership will become obvious the moment he steps on the practice field. He’s all business.

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LaPorta (6-4, 246) also should vault into a starting role with the Lions by mid-training camp. His first formal interview at the NFL Scouting Combine was with Detroit coach Dan Campbell, and it’s obvious they hit it off. It’s coincidental that the Lions traded former first-round pick and Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson to the Vikings in October and Detroit selected another Hawkeyes tight end six months later. They’re equally effective but two different people. I’d say LaPorta’s personality is perfect for the Lions.

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Moss (6-1, 190) was announced specifically as a defensive back by Denver, where he visited a week before the draft. The Broncos have two elite defensive backs in cornerback Pat Surtain II and safety Justin Simmons. The remaining spots are written in pencil rather than permanent ink. Moss could play corner, nickel or safety in Denver’s defense under defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. At worst, Moss will play on special teams and sub packages.

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What about the undrafted players?

Every undrafted player faces an uphill climb, but former Hawkeyes often fare well as undrafted free agents. Linebacker Seth Benson (5-11 7/8, 231) was a late two-star signee who became a three-year starter and a second-team All-Big Ten selection. It won’t be easy in Denver with former Hawkeyes players Josey Jewell and Alex Singleton as starters and third-round steal Drew Sanders also at inside linebacker. But Benson will be a tough guy to cut and has practice team value.

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Kaevon Merriweather (6-0, 205) was a late-round possibility who unfortunately was on the wrong side of the ledger. He found the best landing spot in Tampa Bay, which has a need at safety and drafted only one defensive back in the sixth round. The Buccaneers also have the second-worst salary-cap situation, which means a few undrafted players will make the squad. If he’s healthy, I’d bet on Merriweather.

Monte Pottebaum (6-1 1/4, 242) is the only fullback listed on the Steelers’ roster, so the avenue is open for him to land a job. As expendable as fullbacks are, his status is precarious at best. But he has a head start, and a free agent can’t ask for anything more at this stage.

Defensive end John Waggoner (6-5, 259) was unsigned as of midday Sunday. A two-year starter, he could still land a tryout or free-agent opportunity.

Three-star development

Iowa regularly fills its roster with three-star prospects, and it annually ranks among the top NFL producers. Although it’s not by percentage, few programs can touch Iowa’s total number of three-star players landing on NFL rosters.

With four draft picks and three undrafted free agents agreeing to contracts by Sunday afternoon, 43 former Iowa players are now on NFL rosters. Eight former players who spent time with an NFL club last year remain free agents, and perhaps one or two other players in this year’s class will have a chance to sign with a team.

Of the 43 players, 32 were three-star recruits, four were two-star recruits, four were walk-ons/unrated transfers, two were four-star recruits and one was a five-star recruit. Iowa has eight first-round draft picks on rosters, and seven were three-star recruits, including Van Ness and Campbell.

Big stage, Big Ten

The Big Ten finished with 55 draft picks, by far the most for the conference since 1961, when the draft lasted 20 rounds. Michigan had the most draft picks with nine, followed by Ohio State and Penn State with six, Maryland and Purdue with five and Iowa, Illinois and Northwestern with four.

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In the past 15 years, Ohio State has had 101 selections, followed by Michigan (71), Penn State (69), Iowa (57) and Wisconsin (56). In the past decade, the Buckeyes have 78, the Wolverines have 59 and the Nittany Lions have 49. The Badgers (36) and Hawkeyes (33) wrap up the top five.

Who’s next?

The Hawkeyes could have a mix of seniors and eligible underclassmen for the 2024 draft. That group starts with junior defensive back Cooper DeJean, who enters his third season. DeJean (6-1, 209) has first-round potential after three pick-sixes on five interceptions last year. He also averaged 16.5 yards per punt return last year. In its way-too-early draft simulator, Pro Football Focus lists DeJean as the No. 15 prospect.

Tight ends Erick All and Luke Lachey also could become top-100 picks. All (6-5, 255), a transfer from Michigan, has two years of eligibility but plans to play just one season. Lachey (6-6. 252), a fourth-year junior, has become an ascending player and led the team in touchdown receptions last year.

All-American punter Tory Taylor will have plenty of suitors, as should senior defensive tackle Logan Lee (6-5, 275). Sixth-year defensive linemen Noah Shannon (6-0, 289) and Joe Evans (6-2, 246) — who are entering their third season as starters — and defensive backs Quinn Schulte (6-1, 208) and Sebastian Castro (5-11, 207) also could generate interest, as could receiver Nico Ragaini (6-0. 196). Incoming grad transfers in linebacker Nick Jackson (Virginia) and Rusty Feth (Miami-Ohio) also could find a market.

(Top photo of Lukas Van Ness: Justin Casterline / Getty Images)