Notre Dame football: 2021 NFL Draft tracker with grades, analysis

Notre Dame football: 2021 NFL Draft tracker with grades, analysis

The Grades

• Liam Eichenberg

Liam Eichenberg was the first member of the Irish to come off the board, and he landed in a great spot with the Miami Dolphins. This is a very young team that won ten games this past season, and based on Tua Tagovailoa being a left-handed quarterback, Eichenberg is still going to be a blindside protector, even if he moves to the right side of the line.

Miami is a team that could be very good for very long time, and in Eichenberg, they get one of the more NFL-ready offensive tackles in this draft class

Grade: B+

• Aaron Banks

Going into the 2021 NFL Draft, we had stated that Aaron Banks was the second-best interior offensive lineman in this draft class, and he was certainly picked like it on Friday night. Banks became the second member of the Irish selected in the 2021 NFL Draft, going only six picks after his fellow linemate at No. 48 to the San Francisco 49ers.

San Francisco is only a few years away from their Super Bowl appearance, and they seem to be pushing all the right buttons. Banks can start right away there, joining former Irish teammate Mike McGlinchey.

Grade: B

• Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah

In what could end up being the steal of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Notre Dame Football program saw their star linebacker go No. 52 overall to the Cleveland Browns. Most felt that JOK would be a first round pick, and was considered the top player available going into Day 2, so him going this late was shocking.

In Cleveland, he joins a strong young defense that was missing piece or two, one being a linebacker, and he fills that void immediately. When all is said and done, JOK could be a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate.

Grade: A+

• Tommy Tremble

When Tremble announced he would be declaring for the 2021 NFL Draft, it was a bit of a shock, but obviously, he was talking to the right people in terms of the advice he was given about leaving school. Tremble would go on to be the fourth tight end selected in this draft, landing with the Carolina Panthers.

The Panthers are going to love his blocking skills, and a healthy Christian McCaffrey will definitely benefit from the addition of Tremble here in the third round.

Grade: B

• Robert Hainsey

Another player who rocketed up draft boards during the draft process, Robert Hainsey found his home on Day 2, as he was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs are fresh off a Super Bowl-winning season, and getting a player with Hainsey’s versatility is certainly going to help them up front.

Hainsey is going from a winning program, to playing with Tom Brady, so you have to think he is ecstatic with where he landed.

Grade: B

• Ian Book

In one of my favorite Notre Dame picks of this draft season, Ian Book was the first quarterback off the board on Day 3, landing with the New Orleans Saints. I believe this is the best possible scenario for Book, who is going to an innovator at head coach in Sean Payton, and one who is used to playing quarterbacks that are on the smaller side.

Book is going to go to a great spot for him to grow, and actually play, as they have a major question mark at the quarterback position.

Grade: A

• Daelin Hayes

In the fifth round, Daelin Hayes finally heard his name called, and like Book, he is going to an excellent situation. The Ravens were in desperate need for an edge rusher in this draft, and in Hayes, they get a player who could just be starting to reach his full potential as a football player.

Baltimore has a playoff-ready roster, and Hayes is the kind of edge rusher they need.

Grade: B

• Adetokunbo Ogundeji

The Atlanta Falcons got great value with this pick, and he is a player that addresses a big need on this defense. The Falcons have kind of turned the page at the defensive end position in recent years, and Ogundeji is entering a franchise that needs to improve on that side of the ball after a terrible 2020 season.

In fact, there is good reason to believe he could end up being a starter for the Falcons, which is incredible considering he was a two-star recruit.

Grade: B+