Best available prospects from Notre Dame football who could go on Day 2 of 2024 NFL Draft.
Notre Dame football hadn’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.
Joe Alt topped them both Thursday when the All-America offensive tackle went to Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers with the fifth overall pick. Alt is the highest Notre Dame draft pick since QB Rick Mirer went second overall to the Seattle Seahawks in 1993 and its highest-drafted offensive lineman since tackle George Kunz went No. 2 overall to the Atlanta Falcons in 1969.
The top overall pick that year? Heisman Trophy winner O.J. Simpson of USC.
Joe Alt: 'Little Joe Alt' just keeps growing into Notre Dame's All-America left tackle
No other Notre Dame players were selected in Thursday's first round. Friday's second and third rounds start at 7 p.m. from downtown Detroit. Rounds 4-7 begin at noon on Saturday.
Joe Alt: Los Angeles Chargers make Joe Alt highest-drafted Notre Dame football O-lineman in 55 years
Here’s a look at the best projected fits for the top Notre Dame football draft hopefuls as the NFL Draft continues:
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.
With just nine defensive players (three cornerbacks) taken in the first round, Hart entered Day 2 at No. 50 on ESPN's list of best available players. Seven cornerbacks were still listed ahead of him, including Iowa's Cooper DeJean (No. 1) and Alabama's Kool-Aid McKinstry (No. 3).
▶ 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.
Fisher entered Day 2 at No. 24 on ESPN's list of best available prospects. Former Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson was the only remaining offensive lineman ranked ahead of Fisher after nine O-linemen, including seven tackles, heard their names called in the first round.
▶ Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com: Rated No. 54 among Top 150 prospects and 21st among those undrafted through Round 1.
▶ 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.
No running backs were among the 23 offensive players selected in the first round, so Estime entered Day 2 ranked 125th on ESPN's list of best available players. He was listed 10th among the remaining running backs.
▶ 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). Despite a torn plantar fascia, he stood out during Senior Bowl workouts and was voted the National squad’s top LB by teammates.
Bertrand was listed 238th on ESPN's list of best available players entering Day 2. Twenty linebackers were still ranked ahead of him.
▶ Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com: Rated No. 119 among Top 150 prospects. Moved up to No. 86 of those undrafted entering Day 2.
▶ 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.
Liufau was listed 101st among ESPN's best available players entering Day 2 of the draft. He was 10th among linebackers yet to be drafted.
▶ 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.
Jean-Baptiste entered Day 2 at No. 180 on ESPN's list of best available players. He was the 19th-rated edge player yet to be drafted.
▶ 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).
Hartman entered Day 2 at No. 283 on ESPN's list of best available players. Six QBs were still ranked ahead of him: Spencer Rattler, Michael Pratt, Kedon Slovis, Jordan Travis, Devin Leary and Joe Milton III.
▶ 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: Day 2 of NFL Draft: Notre Dame football prospects projections
