2020 Slap the Sign Notre Dame Brian Kelly Era Player Draft
*Trade alert* As we are about to begin the final round, Jack and Sonny have agreed on a trade. Sonny and Jack will be swapping fourth rounders, and Jack will also receive future cash considerations.
Team Martinez – After the trade with Jack, Sonny selected free agent wide receiver, T.J. Jones. Jones has been a special teams contributor in the NFL during his five seasons while also starting nine games – all for the Lions – along with five receiving touchdowns. He played in three games for the Giants last season.
Team Morrison – I like the strategy of Team Morrison, as it seemed he went strictly best player available. That led him to select another tight end in the draft – this time 2020 prospect Cole Kmet. Paring Eifert and Kmet can be a lethal combo and matchup nightmare for linebackers and safeties.
Team Whitney – I like where Corbin’s head is at with this selection, as defensive backs haven’t been the most successful as a group in the NFL for Notre Dame under Kelly, but with team Whitney’s final pick he took free agent safety, Robert Blanton. Blanton is an interesting case, as it seemed he was on his way to a highly productive career with the Vikings as he took the starting job over in 2014 and played very well. Unfortunately, he hasn’t played an NFL snap since 2017.
Team Plummer – Mason went back to the offensive skill position talent and selected Ravens wide receiver, Miles Boykin. Definitely a high upside pick for this draft’s purposes, in Boykin’s rookie season he started 11 games and caught 13 passes and three touchdowns. It’s quite possible this pick seems way too low in the coming years.
Team North – Carlee need to get Kizer some weapons on offense, and she did so with her final pick – taking Packers wide receiver Eqanimeous St. Brown. As a rookie in 2018, St. Brown started seven games for an injury-riddled Packers WR core and reeled in 21 passes for 328 yards. However, in 2019, he remained on injured reserve the entire season. Like Boykin, this could look like a steal in a few years if St. Brown can find his footing in the Packers offense.
Team Erbach – I elected to go back to trenches with my final selection and form a nice duo with Stephon Tuitt. Chargers defensive lineman Isaac Rochell was my fourth-round pick, and with seven sacks and nine tackles for loss in three seasons in the league as a former 7th rounder, I’ll take my chances he continues to develop. For what it is worth, five of his sacks came in 2018.
Team Leniart – Jack is finally able to make his final pick after his trade back with Sonny, and he takes free agent corner KeiVarae Russell. What seemed like what would be a decent career for Russell after his third-round selection by the Chiefs came to an odd halt when he was released that very same year. He was quickly picked up the Bengals where he remained until roster cuts in 2019, making one start in the process. He should be on someone’s camp roster this upcoming season.
Team McJunkin – With the final pick in our 2020 Brian Kelly era mock draft, Connor selected 2020 prospect and cornerback, Troy Pride Jr. or in this case Mr. Irrelevant. Pride has elite speed and should be able to contribute to a roster in some capacity due to his athleticism. I think Notre Dame fans will be surprised where Pride is taken off the board this weekend.