Notre Dame football: 2023 NFL Draft predictions

Notre Dame football – IOL Jarrett Patterson/Josh Lugg – pick # 161 – Houston Texans

Yes, back to the Houston Texans; as I’ve said, they need considerable help along both sides of their lines outside of a couple of great players. Former center and, most recently, a solid guard for Notre Dame football, Jarrett Patterson, would be a great pick here. He has shown the ability to be able to play multiple positions along the offensive line, which gives the team drafting him solid flexibility.

Before this past season, Patterson finished with a PFF grade of 89.0 as a center in a whopping 827 snaps at the position. Unfortunately, I think Harry Hiestand may have done him a disservice by switching him to guard, which may have cost him a higher draft pick. I still think he makes it to the NFL and does just fine, but he could’ve gone higher.

Another great option here for the Texans, or any team looking to take a later-round flier on a guard, is Fighting Irish guard Josh Lugg. According to PFF, Lugg actually graded out better than Patterson this past season. While grades aren’t everything, Lugg performed well this past year for the Irish.

Regardless of when the offensive linemen go, Notre Dame football has a history of producing some top talent along the offensive line. Whether Quenton Nelson, Zack Martin, or Ronnie Stanley, the Irish pump out some all-pro level talent along the OL.

While it would shock me to get any of these picks right, I think the idea that these players could be excellent fits for the respective teams still stands. That said, teams trade up and down quite frequently, especially in the later rounds. Still, it wouldn’t surprise me to see these guys all go before the 5th round in this 2023 NFL draft.