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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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ST. LOUIS, MO – SEPTEMBER 30: Wide receiver Chris Givens #13 of the St. Louis Rams tries to make a diving catch during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at the Edward Jones Dome on September 30, 2012 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams beat the Seahawks 19-13. (Photo by David Welker/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO – SEPTEMBER 30: Wide receiver Chris Givens #13 of the St. Louis Rams tries to make a diving catch during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at the Edward Jones Dome on September 30, 2012 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams beat the Seahawks 19-13. (Photo by David Welker/Getty Images) /

Round 7: Any Given Sunday

As you might expect from a seventh round draft pick, David Givens didn’t put together the most impressive resume in college, but he was extremely versatile. In his four years with the Irish he recorded 814 receiving yards, 146 rushing yards, 439 kick return yards, and 102 passing yards to go along with 8 total touchdowns.

Givens was taken by the New England Patriots with the 253rd pick in the 2002 draft and in true New England fashion, they turned a player who was an afterthought to most teams into a productive receiver that shined in the postseason.

After not playing much his rookie season, Givens quickly became the Patriots No. 2 receiver, posting a career high in touchdowns (6) in 2003, receiving yards (874) in 2004, and receptions (59) in 2005.

Although Givens was becoming a household name for a rising dynasty at the time, his greatest accomplishments came on the biggest stage during the postseason. Beginning with the 2003 AFC Championship Game vs the Indianapolis Colts, Givens recorded a receiving touchdown in seven straight playoff games, including both Super Bowl XXXVIII and Super Bowl XXXIX.

Givens was the Patriots’ record holder in postseason touchdown receptions until 2015, before being surpassed by Rob Gronkowski.  His record of seven consecutive postseason games with a touchdown receptions is currently the second-longest streak in league history.

Career Stats:

  • Receptions: 166
  • Receiving Yards: 2,318
  • Average: 14
  • Receiving Touchdowns: 12

After signing with the Tennessee Titans in 2006, a torn ACL ended his season early and kept him out of the 2007 season as well, eventually retiring.

dark. Next. No, Notre Dame doesn't have to to join a conference

Honorable Mention: Pete Holohan – A strong case could be made for Holohan to be the best Irish player taken in the seventh round. Selected 189th overall by the San Diego Chargers in 1981, Holohan only managed one catch in his first two seasons, but would go on to record 363 receptions, 3,981 yards, and 16 touchdowns over his 12-year career. 

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