Notre Dame Football: 2021 NFL Draft predictions from the SlaptheSign.com staff

Notre Dame Football: 2021 NFL Draft predictions from the SlaptheSign.com staff

Daelin Hayes (DL)

Connor McJunkin: Round 5, Pick 145, Jacksonville Jaguars

This might be a little lower than some mock drafts that have Daelin Hayes going, but I feel this is around where he will be selected. Hayes impressed at the Senior Bowl and showed great production in 2020 despite only playing nine games. He would add an edge-rushing boost to a Jacksonville defense that only registered 18 sacks last season.

Jack Leniart: Round 5, Pick 159, Los Angeles Chargers

Hayes had some positive draft buzz earlier this year around the time of the Reese’s Senior Bowl. Some mock drafts project him to be selected as early as the second round and some project him to go undrafted, and I think the reality will be somewhere in between. The Los Angeles Chargers have a history of drafting Notre Dame players, and I believe that trend could continue this year.

Andrew Hall: Round 6

Daelin Hayes definitely deserves to be drafted. His lack of length, injury history, and inconsistent performances all hurt his draft stock a bit. However, he is a great player to have in your locker room and he has a ton of upside.

Brad Weiss: Round 6, Pick No. 200, Las Vegas Raiders

It is no big secret that the Las Vegas Raiders stink at getting after the quarterback, and they addressed that by bringing in Yannick Ngakoue via free agency this offseason. Still, edge rusher is an issue, and in Daelin Hayes, they could get another Day 3 pick that blossoms into a star, much like Maxx Crosby.