2021 NFL Draft will prove how special the Notre Dame football OL was in 2020
By Brad Weiss
The Notre Dame football team was downright impressive upfront along the offensive line last season, as the group was a finalist for the Joe Moore Award. While that award went to Alabama, it does not diminish just how special that group was, and they will be on full display when the 2021 NFL Draft rolls around.
As a unit, four of the five starters are eligible for the 2021 NFL Draft, the likelihood is that all four are going to wind up in the NFL on some roster. Some guys are being rumored as Day 2 picks, and one that could end up at the back half of the first round, but all four will be signed at some point whether it is in the draft, or as an undrafted free agent.
Looking at this group, Liam Eichenberg is likely to be the first one off the board, as he is either going to be picked late in round one or early in round two. He has been an anchor for this Notre Dame football offensive line for years and is one of the more NFL-ready offensive tackles in this draft class.
Notre Dame football could see four offensive linemen drafted in 2021
Outside of Eichenberg, Robert Hainsey, his fellow offensive tackle this past season, is someone who I could see going in Day 3. He has the size and strength needed at the next level, and if he is not a starter as a rookie, he is going to be someone who is going to bring a lot of depth to the tackle position.
He even got some work at guard during the Senior Bowl practices, so his versatility is also going to make him a hot commodity come draft time.
Both guards, Aaron Banks, and Tommy Kraemer seem like sure-fire draft picks, and Banks has even been rumored as to possibly being a second-round pick. I do not see any way that these two guys are still available when Day 3 kicks off, as both should be viewed as a third-round pick at least.
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Jarrett Patterson is the only returning starter from last year, and he is slated to make a possible move to left tackle, replacing Eichenberg. Luckily for the program, the 2021 recruiting class is loaded with talent, as Rocco Spindler and Blake Fisher could start as true freshmen, and players like Zeke Correll and Josh Lugg have starting experience.
This is going to be a tough group to replace, but there is talent left over, and talent coming in, as Notre Dame football continues to be OL-U.