Notre Dame football: 2021 NFL preseason Week 1 matchups to watch
By Brad Weiss
The 2021 NFL preseason will kick off their full slate on Thursday, and here are some matchups for Notre Dame football fans to keep an eye on.
It is officially time for the 2021 NFL preseason slate to get started, as the Hall of Fame game is in the past, and the full slate of games kick off Week 1. The Notre Dame football program sent 14 players from last year’s team to the NFL, and this week will be the first time they get to show their team, and all other teams in the league if they are ready for the pro level.
Here are three preseason games Notre Dame football fans should keep an eye on in Week 1 of the 2021 slate
Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars
Coming off the COVID-19 list, it remains to be seen whether or not Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah will make his preseason debut for the Cleveland Browns, but we are keeping our eyes on it. JOK was one of the highest-rated defensive players in the draft class before a heart issue was found during the draft process, forcing him to fall into the second round.
With that cleared up, JOK is on pace to be one of the top defensive rookies in the NFL this season, and on a rising Browns team, could be one of the final pieces to their puzzle on that side of the ball. He will get a chance to take on Jacksonville in preseason game No. 1, and a former foe in Trevor Lawrence.
Miami Dolphins at Chicago Bears
The Miami Dolphins will take on the Chicago Bears in preseason game No. 1, and all eyes will be on the Dolphins’ new left guard. After being one of the best offensive tackles in college football the past few seasons, Liam Eichenberg is making the move inside, and it will be interesting to see how he looks when he is not at the tackle spot.
All early indications are that he is ready to take on this new role, and for a Dolphins team that many believe will make the playoffs in 2021, he is going to be a key addition.
New Orleans Saints at Baltimore Ravens
Finally, we turn our attention to the New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens game, where there is going to be so much Notre Dame football to be had. Ian Book, the all-time winningest quarterback in program history should get snaps for the Saints, and the Ravens have multiple Irish on defense, including Daelin Hayes coming off the edge.
There are a ton of new Notre Dame football players making their NFL preseason debuts this week, so be sure to check out all the action. Thursday starts the full slate of weekly games, as these former members of the Irish program look to carve out roles for themselves at the NFL level.