Notre Dame Football: Irish NFL rookies have great shot at playoffs

For the nine members of the Notre Dame Football program who were drafted in 2021, most of them will have a legitimate shot at the playoffs as rookies.

The 2021 NFL Draft saw nine members of the Notre Dame Football team get selected, one of the most of any college in the country. Between Day 2 picks, to guys picked within the last few rounds, the Irish were well-represented in nearly every round outside of the first.

Looking at where these players were drafted, the Irish should be well-represented in the NFL Playoffs next season as well, as most of them went to playoff teams from last season, or teams on the rise. Starting with Liam Eichenberg at No. 42 to the Miami Dolphins, at least seven of the nine players selected should be playoff-bound, include Ben Skowronek, who was the last member of the Notre Dame Program off the board.

Notre Dame Football could be well-represented in the playoffs

Aaron Banks was selected by the San Francisco 49ers, who were in the Super Bowl two years ago. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is joining a Cleveland Browns team that is definitely on the rise, and one that made it all the way to the Divisional Round last season.

While Tommy Tremble’s Carolina team could be a year or two away, Robert Hainsey was drafted by Tampa Bay, who is fresh off their first Super Bowl win since the 2002 NFL season. Daelin Hayes was picked by Baltimore, who is a perennial playoff contender, and the Atlanta Falcons should be improved over last season.

Ian Book landed in New Orleans, who are perennial playoff contenders. While they are losing Drew Brees to retirement, they still have a roster loaded with talent, and should be able to be contenders in the NFC South once again in 2021.

All four NFC South teams selected Notre Dame football players, so at least one of them will be in the playoffs this season. Remember, this is a group that played in two College Football Playoffs, so if they do make it to the big stage, they should be much more prepared than some of the other rookies in this draft class.