I’ll keep it short and sweet. The Irish were slept on in the first round, despite high expectations. So in Sports Mockery fashion, here is the @IrishMockery Mock Draft for Notre Dame players I expect to hear called.
Look for the Fighting Irish to hear some of the following names called for the second and third rounds.
Cole Kmet – Chicago Bear fans are hesitant to draft another second round TE, but his upside is justifiable if he is around at PICK 50.
-Chicago Bears – 50 OVR (Round 2, Pick 18)
Julian Okwara – Okwara should fall to the Cowboys at PICK 51. If you recall, the Cowboys took a flier on Jaylon Smith years ago and he has lived up to his potential. I think Okwara has this type of upside. The Cowboys could use the help as they lost Robert Quinn to the Chicago Bears.
-Dallas Cowboys – 51 OVR (Round 2, Pick 19)
Chase Claypool – The prospect that could develop into the next Calvin Johnson based on his size and speed. I don’t see a team on this list that does not need a high character guy like Claypool, but the Houston Texans trading DeAndre Hopkins certainly makes a case to find a player that can learn the system quickly.
Claypool would compliment Will Fuller tremendously. Fuller’s issue has been staying healthy, but if he can the two would be absolutely dynamic. I would hate to see Claypool on the board still, but if he’s there at PICK 90, he could strike gold with DeShaun Watson.
-Houston Texans – 90 OVR (Round 3, Pick 26)
In the final rounds of the draft, I think we may see the next few names drawn.
Troy Pride Jr – Leading up to the NFL combine Pride Jr’s stock was sky-rocketing. But after a less than stellar forty yard dash – I think the momentum came to a screeching halt.
As the board continues to thin at corner back, I think teams are likely to look for someone with Pride Jr’s speed and experience. Many mock drafts have him as a third round pick but I think with realistic expectations, he should come off the board early round four. The Carolina Panther’s could have taken him in the third round, but I think roll the dice and wait until PICK 113.
-Carolina Panthers – 113 OVR (Round 4, Pick 7)
Khalid Kareem – Since Okwara will not be available, I think the Patriots will try to find a pass rusher with PICK 125. The pick originally belonged to the Chicago Bears. If Kareem remains this late, the Patriots will have a great young pass rusher. They will need to find a way to maintain the same defensive pressure as they did last season while they soul-search on offense without Tom Brady.
-New England Patriots – 125 OVR (Round 4, Pick 19)
Alohi Gilman – Gilman is another high-character individual, because that’s what Notre Dame is all about. I think he fits the mold for a late fourth, early fifth round pick. I think PICK 153 to the Miami Dolphins would be a dream scenario for Gilman. Replacing Minkah Fitzpatrick is a tall order, but they absolutely need a safety.
-Miami Dolphins – 153 OVR (Round 5, Pick 7)
Jalen Elliot – On that same note, Elliot and Gilman may be competing for the Dolphins PICK 153. BUT WAIT, the Dolphins who will be the winners of this draft, also have PICK 154.
Would be pretty neat to see two sets of teammates go back-to-back in their respective picks. The Dolphins will have a loaded secondary with two lock down corners plus their draft pick from round one.
-Miami Dolphins – 153 OVR (Round 5, Pick 8)
Good Luck.
