Iowa’s Dane Belton became the second Hawkeye to be selected in the 2022 NFL draft. Belton is off to the Big Apple after the New York Giants drafted him with the 114th overall pick in the draft’s fourth round.
The Tampa, Fla., native has a chance to impact the Giants straight away. As Giants Wire noted, New York was down to just two safeties after releasing Logan Ryan last month. Now, Belton will join a group of New York Giants safeties that includes Xavier McKinney and Julian Love.
The 6-foot-1, 205 pound Belton finished the 2021 season with 46 tackles, three tackles for loss, three quarterback hurries and seven pass breakups for the Hawkeyes. Belton also finished fourth nationally last season with his five interceptions.
A versatile, ballhawking safety – #GREATD4NE is headed to the Empire State ‼️@dbelton_ ➡️ @Giants #NFLHawks | #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/KRBnSe1gWB
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) April 30, 2022
New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll met with the media following the conclusion of the 2022 NFL draft and discussed the Giants’ selection of Belton.
“Dane Belton, another guy we liked. The versatility in the player. You know, he’s got ball skills, he can play from depth, he can play down in the box, he can play nickel,” Schoen said of Belton.
In a Twitter video of Belton on the Giants’ account, it looks and sounds like he’s fired up for this draft marriage as well.
Y’all going to get all of me 🤟
🗣 @dbelton_ pic.twitter.com/V3Rylwqbu6
— New York Giants (@Giants) April 30, 2022
“What’s up, Giants Nation? This is Dane Belton here, newest member of the New York Giants. Man, I can’t wait to get up to New York, get to work, be a a part of this great organization and y’all going to get all of me, man. I promise that,” Belton said.
With the selection, Belton becomes the 17th defensive back selected in the Kirk Ferentz era. He’s the 81st player coached by Ferentz at Iowa to be selected in the NFL draft. Playing both outside linebacker and strong safety, Belton earned first-team All-Big Ten honors this past season from both league coaches and media.
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