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Notre Dame Football: Two Offensive Linemen Mocked in First-Round of 2018 NFL Draft

By Noah Strackbein

Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Sam Mustipher (53) and offensive lineman Quenton Nelson (56) and offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey (68) during the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Sam Mustipher (53) and offensive lineman Quenton Nelson (56) and offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey (68) during the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Notre Dame football may only have had two players taken in the entire 2017 NFL Draft, but FanSided.com believes they’ll have two in the opening round of next year’s event.

Must Read: Breaking Down the Offensive Line

Just 24 hours after the 2017 NFL Draft came to a close, FanSided.com released their 2018 NFL Mock Draft. Within the first-round mock, two Notre Dame offensive linemen, both players who thought about leaving in 2017, are projected to hear their names called.

This offseason, Mike McGlinchey and Quenton Nelson could have both been first or second round picks. After deciding to return, though, it appears that their draft stock has skyrocketed. FanSided’s Brad Weiss believes one may even be a top three pick come next year’s NFL Draft.

McGlinchey and Nelson should be a part of one of the best offenses in the NCAA this season. Notre Dame returns from a 4-8 record in 2016 with one of the greatest bounce backs in recent history.

With almost a complete coaching change, a new starting quarterback, and returning veterans looking to highlight college football, the Fighting Irish are bound for a College Football Playoff run. For these two linemen, though, their final year in South Bend may lead them further than a National Championship, though.

Within the FanSided Mock Draft, McGlinchey is a projected third overall pick to the Cleveland Browns. Not a bad place to be with Joe Thomas on the other side and former Notre Dame teammate, DeShone Kizer, behind center.

After choosing to stay an extra year, McGlinchey is looking to be the first lineman off the board in this mock. With two quarterbacks taken before him, the offensive tackle is projected as the first player outside a play caller to hear his name called next offseason.

For Nelson, Weiss predicts he’ll be a late first-round addition to the Atlanta Falcons. After Atlanta chose not to draft a guard during the 2017 NFL Draft, they’ll likely return with intentions to boost their line next year.

If Nelson is sitting around at the end of the first round, the Falcons would love to add his explosiveness and grit within the trenches. As a possible second-round pick this year, Nelson’s value with explode with a successful 2017 run. Something Notre Dame is hoping he can take advantage of and increase his draft stock even more.

The Fighting Irish should have a successful 2018 draft class. Depending on who leaves early, chooses to stay, and has a breakout year, Notre Dame could be one of the most drafted schools in the country next year.

As of right now, they’ll take two projected first-rounders. Nelson and McGlinchey deserve to hear their name called in the first round. If they can continue to develop, they could be the top two linemen in next year’s draft.

Next: Top Notre Dame Players of 2017

For now, they’ll focus on the season ahead. With a chance to compete in the College Football Playoff, they’ll have their attention on the 2017 season before the NFL Draft – a correlation that could lead to a higher draft stock.

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