Notre Dame Football: Early look at 2021 NFL Draft prospects
These guys have a chance to enter Day 1 territory but are more likely than not seen as possible day two or day three prospects
Offensive Lineman Robert Hainsey – Hainsey actually reminds me a lot of Zack Martin as a prospect. As most of you know, Martin was a dominant tackle at Notre Dame, but when he was selected by the Cowboys in the first round they instantly viewed him as a guard at the NFL level. That is where I view Hainsey playing the NFL, and it wouldn’t surprise me if we see his prospect status take off once that is understood.
I am not calling him a first-round prospect yet or even most likely, but he enters the 2020 season as a four-year starter, and the NFL definitely takes notice of certain positions at certain universities. When Notre Dame has OL in the draft, you can bet the NFL scouts take notice – especially one’s with Hainsey’s college pedigree.
Offensive Lineman Tommy Kraemer – Kraemer is an interesting case. Before this past season, he under-performed considering his 5-star status coming out of high school. However, before his injury halfway through the season, he was beginning to live up to the hype and mock drafts showed him as a possible first or second-round pick in the 2020 draft.
While I am not as high on Kraemer as some, it is easy to see why the NFL is excited about his possible future in the league. He was a better athlete and lighter on his feet prior to the injury, and if he can prove to be that player again this upcoming season it would not shock if he was a high draft pick. With that said, I think he has one of the wider ranges of any of the Notre Dame prospects in next year’s draft. I could see him in the first round and I can see him signing as a UDFA.
Defensive end Ade Ogundeji – When Notre Dame signed Ogundeji out of the Michigan high school ranks as a super raw, but high upside prospect in 2016 this is exactly the player they were hoping he would turn into as an upperclassman. Fortunately, for Ogundeji, he had a year of eligibility left unlike fellow 2016 signee Jamir Jones – who signed as a UDFA with the Houston Texans on Saturday.
While Ogundeji doesn’t have the current college pedigree or production of a Julian Okwara or Khalid Kareem, he could be seen as an equally impressive prospect. With his 6’5″ and 250+ pound frame, Ogundeji has the blend of size and speed that will attract NFL scouts. A year of being the guy in South Bend could elevate his stock. As of right now, I see him going anywhere from around round two to the later rounds.
Defensive Tackle Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa (MTA) – MTA will attract NFL teams due to his versatility and ability to play in almost any scheme. He can play in a 4-3 as a 3-technique or as a 3-4 defensive end. Like Owusu-Koramoah he will have a decision to make after this season on whether to come back to school for his final year of eligibility and he is the more likely of the two to return. However, he is an underrated athlete and the type of guy to shoot up draft boards when more people find his film. Probably doesn’t hurt his case that his cousin is Tua Tagovailoa either, so NFL bloodlines are in the family.
I might be a bit bullish on MTA, but I believe the body type and athleticism is there to be a solid NFL draft prospect. A year of top-notch production should put him squarely on the 2021 prospect map. If he declares, his draft grade will likely be in that second to fourth round range.