Ranking every Notre Dame football first-round draft pick of the last 25 years
![Slap the Sign is here to rank all of the first-round NFL draft picks from the Notre Dame football program in the last 25 years Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Slap the Sign is here to rank all of the first-round NFL draft picks from the Notre Dame football program in the last 25 years Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/2865c8a295978b19335d1ce497bb366d14895d3dc75d2ac36db001a786bb55bc.jpg)
C. Cleveland Browns. Jeff Faine. 21. player. 53.
No. 7 Notre Dame football first-round draft pick of the last 25 years: Jeff Faine
2003 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 21
Cleveland Browns, 2003–2005
New Orleans Saints, 2006–2007
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2008–2011
Cincinnati Bengals, 2012
Jeff Faine was neither a bust nor a spectacular draft success story, but the former Notre Dame football center was a difference-maker on three different teams (Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and was a key negotiator for the NFLPA as a representative for Tampa Bay during the 2011 lockout negotiations.
Faine was a Pro Bowl alternate and a Buccaneers captain but has had a second career in football, leading a financial services company in Florida since walking away from pro football following the 2012 season.
The Oregon native was a star in South Bend and a solid hand in the NFL.