Notre Dame Football: Best Case, Worst Case for Position Groups

Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

Best: Chase Claypool and Myles Boykin both become even bigger playmakers than they were last season. With Kevin Stephenson and Equanimeous St. Brown gone, that’s 52 catches (and nine for touchdowns) that need to be made up for this season. With Wimbush improving his accuracy, there’s even more to go around, and Claypool and Boykin are the two that benefit the most. Chris Finke becomes an X factor at slot receiver, vastly improving on his 6 catches for 102 yards that he produced last year. Finke ends up with 20-25 catches for 300 yards and becomes the top short pass option. Alize Mack leads a resurgence of tight end production, while also reaching his ceiling as an elite blocker. Nic Weishar, Cole Kmet and Brock Wright also contribute to pick up for the 15 catches for 244 yards left behind by Durham Smythe.

Worst: Last year, there were 218 players across the FBS that had more receiving yards and 280 had more receptions than the number one receiver for the Irish. That trend continues, as the team leader in receptions is once again in the 30-40 range with nobody eclipsing the 550 yard mark. There is still a big play threat down the field, but it’s highly inconsistent thanks to other factors. The production at tight end also stays down, and although Mack becomes a great blocker, he doesn’t reach elite just yet. Brock Wright doesn’t get much playing time and Nic Weishar, although his production does increase, does not play at the level he is capable of, either.