Notre Dame Football: Top 10 Former Irish in the NFL

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CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 4: Tyler Eifert #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals catches a pass for a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Paul Brown Stadium on December 4, 2016 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

No. 10: Tyler Eifert

If not for injury, Eifert would find himself much higher on this list. One of the best offensive players to come out of Notre Dame in the last 20 years, Eifert was a first round pick to the Cincinnati Bengals in 2013. The Fort Wayne, Indiana native has yet to complete an entire 16-game slate in the NFL, but he has shown his ability while on the field.

Eifert has played in just under 40 games (30 starts), and has caught 20 touchdowns. In 2015, he lead the NFL in touchdown receptions with 13, but hasn’t been able to stay healthy since. The Bengals have placed Eifert on the IR or PUP four times in his short five-year career.

He signed a one-year contract with the Bengals this off-season and will need to prove his health is not a concern if he wants a multi-year deal. Much like Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski — albeit to a far worse degree — Eifert will need to decide if it is in his best interest to keep playing if his back issues continue.

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