2024 NFL mock draft: Where all Notre Dame football prospects are projected to land
SOUTH BEND — Notre Dame football hasn’t produced a first-round NFL Draft pick from its offensive line since 2018, when Quenton Nelson (Colts) and Mike McGlinchey (49ers) went sixth and ninth overall, respectively.
Barring a stunning reversal of opinion, Joe Alt is about to end that mini-drought on Thursday night in Detroit.
Here’s a look at the best projected fits for the top Notre Dame football draft hopefuls as the seven-round NFL Draft runs from Thursday night through Saturday:
Notre Dame football OT Joe Alt NFL Draft projections
The son of former Kansas City Chiefs LT John Alt is a late bloomer who signed as a three-star TE out of high school. Alt moved into the starting lineup midway through his freshman year and quickly developed into a dominant force on the left side. Some NFL teams talked with Alt about his willingness to play RT. Highly coachable and having learned from three position coaches in as many years, he only turned 21 on Feb. 28.
▶ Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com: Rated No. 8 among Top 150 prospects
▶ Charles Davis, NFL.com: First round (fifth overall) to Los Angeles Chargers
▶ Tim Murray, VSin.com: First round (seventh overall) to Tennessee Titans
▶ Chad Reuter, NFL.com: First round (seventh overall) to Tennessee Titans
▶ Dane Brugler, The Athletic:First round (seventh overall) to Tennessee Titans
▶ Ryan Wilson, CBSSports.com: First round (seventh overall) to Tennessee Titans
▶ Jordan Reid, ESPN.com: First round (fifth overall) to Los Angeles Chargers
Joe Alt: 'Little Joe Alt' just keeps growing into Notre Dame's All-America left tackle
Notre Dame football CB Cam Hart NFL Draft projections
A converted WR who overcame three shoulder surgeries during his five-year college career. The first pure cornerback in 20 years to be voted a Notre Dame team captain and just the fourth in modern team history. Graded out at 84.2% in coverage, according to Pro Football Focus, in 2023. That placed Hart 23rd nationally among all cornerbacks with at least 200 defensive snaps. Although his only career interceptions came in the 2021 win over Wisconsin, Hart allowed just 15 completions (no touchdowns) for 137 yards in his final season. Over his final 33 games, he allowed just three touchdown catches.
▶ Chad Reuter, NFL.com: Second round (42nd overall) to Houston Texans
▶ Jordan Reid, ESPN.com: Third round (82nd overall) to Indianapolis Colts
▶ Dane Brugler, The Athletic: Fourth round (106th overall) to Tennessee Titans
Notre Dame football OT Blake Fisher NFL Draft projections
The first true freshman to start at left tackle in Notre Dame history, Fisher missed 11 games but worked back from torn meniscus in his knee to take over right tackle duties in the Fiesta Bowl. Just turned 21 on March 25, so he still has plenty of projectability along with the versatility of being able to play both tackle spots. Fisher had to adapt to three different position coaches during his college career.
▶ Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com: Rated No. 54 among Top 150 prospects
▶ Dane Brugler, The Athletic: Third round (84th overall) to Pittsburgh Steelers
▶ Jordan Reid, ESPN.com: Third round (72nd overall) to New York Jets
▶ Chad Reuter, NFL.com: Fourth round (114th overall) to Jacksonville Jaguars
Notre Dame football RB Audric Estime NFL Draft projections
Renounced his final year of eligibility after breaking the program record for single-season rushing touchdowns. The previous mark had been shared by Allen Pinkett (1984) and Vagas Ferguson (1979). Powerful workhorse who also showed off his surprising agility with leaping runs against Clemson (2023) and BYU (2022). Shows excellent vision and instincts with more burst than defenders might expect. Forced 105 missed tackles (4.2 average) over his final 25 games. Struggled with a midseason fumbling problem (three in four games) as a sophomore but fumbled just once in his final 18 games.
▶ Chad Reuter, NFL.com: Fourth round (132nd overall) to San Francisco 49ers
▶ Dane Brugler, The Athletic: Fourth round (125th overall) to Tampa Bay Buccaneers
▶ Jordan Reid, ESPN.com: Fourth round (107th overall) to New York Giants
Notre Dame football LB JD Bertrand NFL Draft projections
A finalist for the Campbell Trophy (aka the academic Heisman), Bertrand led Notre Dame in tackles the past three seasons. The last player to do that for the Irish was Manti Te’o from 2010-12. What Bertrand lacks in raw athleticism he offsets with preparation, instinctive play and rugged determination. A two-time team captain who moved inside for his final two seasons, Bertrand is an effective blitzer (61 career pressures, per Pro Football Focus) but struggled at times with missed tackles (42 over his final three years). He stood out during Senior Bowl workouts and was voted the National squad’s top LB by teammates.
▶ Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com: Rated No. 119 among Top 150 prospects
▶ Dane Brugler, The Athletic: Sixth round (206th overall) to Cleveland Browns
Notre Dame football LB Marist Liufau NFL Draft projections
After missing all of 2021 with a major injury to his lower right leg (broken fibula and dislocated ankle), Liufau returned to lead the Irish with 646 defensive snaps in 2022. He ranked third in defensive snaps with 595 in 2023, and his 24 consecutive starts was the longest active streak on the defense before he skipped the Sun Bowl. A physical presence with coverage skills and pass-rushing ability (40 career pressures), Liufau came through the same high school program as Irish LB great Manti Te’o. Liufau contributed 335 career plays on special teams, which should boost his NFL value.
▶ Dane Brugler, The Athletic: Sixth round (218th overall) to Baltimore Ravens
▶ Chad Reuter, NFL.com: Seventh round (250th overall) to Baltimore Ravens
▶ Jordan Reid, ESPN.com: Seventh round (242nd overall) to Tennessee Titans
Notre Dame football DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste NFL Draft projections
Pegged as a situational pass rusher upon his arrival from Ohio State, Jean-Baptiste expanded his game and his impact in his one-and-done experience with the Irish. Blessed with enviable measurables, including a 33 ¾-inch reach and 10-inch hands, Jean-Baptiste remained a force off the edge and graded out well against the run (85.4 grade). According to Pro Football Focus, that trailed only LB Jack Kiser among all Irish defenders. Jean-Baptiste led the team with five sacks and made 36 tackles, not missing a tackle all year. He’s a product of the same youth football league as Irish teammate Audric Estime.
▶ Jordan Reid, ESPN.com: Fifth round (174th overall) to Dallas Cowboys
▶ Chad Reuter, NFL.com: Sixth round (191st overall) to Indianapolis Colts
▶ Dane Brugler, The Athletic: Seventh round (244th overall) to Dallas Cowboys
Notre Dame football QB Sam Hartman NFL Draft projections
The Wake Forest grad transfer went 36-21 as a starter, but just 5-10 against ranked teams. He overcame a broken leg (2018) and a blood clot (2022) to finish tied for third in FBS history in touchdown passes and fifth in passing yards. His arm strength and speed are only average, but his leadership, production and durability could earn him a late-round draft slot. He struggled in the Senior Bowl (7-for-25 passing, 69 yards, one interception) but his lone season in a pro-style offense at Notre Dame yielded career-bests in completion percentage (63.5%), yards per attempt (8.9) and passer rating (159.5).
▶ Dane Brugler, The Athletic: Seventh round (224th overall) to Cincinnati Bengals
▶ Jordan Reid, ESPN.com: Seventh round (224th overall) to Cincinnati Bengals
Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for NDInsider.com and is on social media @MikeBerardino.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: NFL mock draft 2024: Notre Dame football prospects projections
