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The Best Notre Dame Football Player Taken In Each Round of the NFL Draft

By Connor McJunkin

9 JAN 1994: TIM BROWN OF THE LOS ANGELES RAIDERS WITH HELMET ALOFT LEAVES THE FIELD AFTER THE RAIDERS DEFEATED THE DENVER BRONCOS 42-24. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello/ALLSPORT
9 JAN 1994: TIM BROWN OF THE LOS ANGELES RAIDERS WITH HELMET ALOFT LEAVES THE FIELD AFTER THE RAIDERS DEFEATED THE DENVER BRONCOS 42-24. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello/ALLSPORT /
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49ers Arnaz Battle #83 runs after the catch in second half action of the game where the Tennessee Titans beat the San Francisco 49ers 33-22 at The Coliseum in Nashville, Tennessee on November 27, 2005. (Photo by Joe Murphy/NFLPhotoLibrary)
49ers Arnaz Battle #83 runs after the catch in second half action of the game where the Tennessee Titans beat the San Francisco 49ers 33-22 at The Coliseum in Nashville, Tennessee on November 27, 2005. (Photo by Joe Murphy/NFLPhotoLibrary) /

Round 6: Winning the Battle

Arnaz Battle was a converted quarterback at Notre Dame, transitioning to receiver after breaking his wrist in the first game of the 2000 season. After putting together a solid career as a receiver, the San Francisco 49ers selected Battle with the 197th pick in the 2003 draft.

After not seeing much action as a rookie, Battle did what many late-round skilled players do to continue their careers and became a weapon on special teams. In 2004 he registered career-highs in punt returns (31), punt return yards (266), kickoff returns (13), kickoff return yards (257) and special teams tackles (16). He also recorded the first and only punt return touchdown of his career.

From 2005-2008, Battle was a fairly consistent receiver for San Francisco, posting back-to-back 50-catch, 600-yard seasons in 2006 and 2007.  Battle had a career high in touchdowns (5) in 2007 as well.

In his final two seasons, he did not record a single reception with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but became a standout special team player. In 2011, he was named a team captain for special teams and in 2012, was released.

Battle put together a longer and more successful career than most players, especially later round draft picks.

  • Receptions: 178
  • Receiving Yards: 2,150
  • Average: 12.1
  • Touchdowns: 11
  • Total Tackles: 46

Honorable Mention: John Sullivan – The Minnesota Vikings drafted Sullivan with the 187th pick in the 2008 draft where he helped anchor their offensive line for seven seasons, including Adrian Peterson’s 2,097 rushing yard season in 2012. After signing with the Rams in 2017, he started 32 of 33 games, where he helped the Rams reach the Super Bowl in 2018. In his career, Sullivan has started 125 games. 

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