Notre Dame Football: 2 Irish who could be the steals of the 2021 NFL Draft
By Brad Weiss
The Notre Dame Football program will produce multiple draft picks in 2021, and two of them could end up being major steals.
Looking at the prospects heading into the 2021 NFL Draft from the Notre Dame Football program, there are guys who you know are going to go early. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is widely considered one of the great defensive players in this draft class, and some feel he could actually be the first linebacker off the board.
Offensive tackle Liam Eichenberg has been the anchor of this Notre Dame football offensive line for years, and after his showing on the bench press at the Pro Day, his stock is rising. I believe he could find himself landing in the bottom of the first round, where teams like Kansas City and Buffalo need help at tackle.
On the defensive side of the ball, there are some excellent players as well, including one who could be a real steal on Day 3. He joins one of his teammates as potential steals this year, players who will go after the second round and end up being stars early on.
Notre Dame Football will produce multiple NFL Draft steals
The two players who could end up being steals are Daelin Hayes, a dynamic edge rusher, and Aaron Banks, who I believe is the best interior offensive lineman in this draft class. Hayes is slated to go possibly on Day 3, but based on his size, speed, and power, he is someone who should see a ton of snaps as a rookie.
Within the right scheme, Hayes could have the kind of impact that Maxx Crosby had in Oakland his first season in the league. Banks is going to start right away, as he showed at the Senior Bowl that he can just move the best defensive linemen in the country, and is fresh off being an All-American this past season.
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The Irish offensive line is losing a lot of talent in 2021, and that will turn what was once a huge strength for the Notre Dame Football team, into a question mark. There is a lot of talent remaining, but players like Aaron Banks do not come around too often, and as a rookie, he could be an anchor from Day 1 at the next level.