Hawkeye linebacker Josey Jewell was selected by the Denver Broncos with the sixth pick in the fourth round of the NFL Draft (No. 106 overall).

Starting off the day strong.

Welcome to #BroncosCountry, @josey_jewell! pic.twitter.com/3qPjebSCzw

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) April 28, 2018

Jewell entered the draft ranked by ESPN as the third-best inside linebacker and the 91st-best prospect overall, earning a grade of 72.

A 6-1, 234-pound redshirt senior from Decorah, Iowa, Jewell was projected by many to land in Round 5 or 6. NFL analysist Lance Zierlein noted that while the linebacker has exceptional play diagnosis and downhill flow, there are still many areas in which he can improve.

Josey Jewell was an extremely productive player at LB for Iowa. He has a lot of great qualities as a person — a team captain for many years at Iowa, and we’re thrilled to get him at pick 106. pic.twitter.com/wsHtdVdUp3

— John Elway (@johnelway) April 28, 2018

“On the borderline from a size standpoint, Jewell already had his detractors who worried about whether he was big enough to handle inside duties,” Zierlein wrote on NFL.com. “On top of that, he ran a painfully slow 40 at both the Combine, and his 40 that will send him tumbling down the draft board. On the field, however, he is a highly instinctive linebacker who combines physicality with a relentless motor to find his way into play after play. Jewell’s consistency and football character give him a shot at becoming a solid NFL backup despite his speed limitations.”

Jewell’s football instincts, and his knack of finding the ball, enticed NFL scouts.

“I like him a lot. I think he will run faster than people think for sure,” an anonymous AFC director of scouting told NFL.com. “Give me a guy with his mindset and instincts, and I can sell him to a coaching staff even if he’s not as big as they are looking for. His tape will win them over.”

Last season, Jewell racked up 132 tackles despite missing a contest with injury. He also tallied 4.5 sacks, 13.5 tackles for a loss, intercepted a pair of passes, and also forced and recovered a fumble.

The Denver Broncos have selected former Iowa LB Josey Jewell — the sixth LB on our big board, a run-stopper and pass-covering linebacker #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/ZhKGu067V8

— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 28, 2018