With the 2023 NFL draft set to kick off tomorrow evening, the 2022 Notre Dame football roster should be well-represented. Guys like Jarrett Patterson, Isaiah Foskey, and others should get their names called early, none earlier than star tight end, Michael Mayer.
Notre Dame football – TE Michael Mayer pick #13 – Green Bay Packers
It’s always a risk to take a tight end too early in the NFL draft, like Kyle Pitts to the Atlanta Falcons, but Michael Mayer makes a ton of sense here. The Packers aren’t in dire need of a tight end but could undoubtedly use a potential star at the position. Their leading receiver at tight end last year, Robert Tonyan, is currently with their NFC North rival, the Chicago Bears. While they’re returning a guy they seem to like in Josiah Deguara, he’s certainly not close to a star at the position.
Enter Michael Mayer, who was one of the nation’s best run-blocking and pass-catching tight ends last year. He was the best offensive tight end in the country last year as PFF gave him a 92.5 grade, just beating out fellow potential first-round pick Dalton Kincaid. As the unquestionable go-to target last year for Drew Pyne, Mayer thrived and set numerous Notre Dame football records.
Last year, Mayer secured 67 catches for 809 yards and 9 touchdowns on the season. At 6’4″ and 265 pounds, Mayer has enough size and athleticism to be a modern-day tight end in the NFL. He has the ability to find space and make contested catches, even against linebackers that can keep up with him.
TJ Hockenson, who has a bit more height but less weight than Mayer and put up much lower numbers in college against arguably worse defenses, went 8th overall in the 2019 draft. The Packers may have other focus areas, but Mayer would pair nicely with Jordan Love. In addition, having a safety valve at tight end that can also block for the running game is a solid addition to protect a young quarterback.
Another reason Mayer could be the choice is while this wide receiver class has some solid depth, there are not many great 1st round selections. Sure, they could grab the best WR available at pick 13, but I see few guys that deserve to be high first-round picks at receiver.
Notre Dame football – Edge Isaiah Foskey pick #65 – Houston Texans
With all due respect, the Texans could use help just about everywhere on their roster, and they get help on the edge with one of the best in the draft. Frankly, there’s a good chance Foskey goes well before this, but I had a tough time sending Foskey to the Texans with such a high second-round pick. However, I like the fit too much not to send him to Houston, so I have him slipping to the beginning of the 3rd round.
Foskey is one of the best edge rushers to touch the field for a historic Notre Dame football program and is the all-time sacks leader. While Justin Tuck would likely still have his lead had he played an additional 4th year like Foskey, Isaiah holds the record with 26.5 career sacks. He had an excellent showing at the combine and has all the tools to be one of the best in this class.
He would join former Irish defensive lineman Kurt Hinish along a defensive line that could severely use some help. Following their top pick at 2nd overall, it wouldn’t surprise me to see them load up on linemen on both sides of the ball. Getting Foskey at the beginning of the third round seems like great value to me.
The latest PFF mock draft I’ve seen has Foskey going to the Los Angeles Chargers with the 54th overall pick. That seems like a pretty solid overall pick for him to land at, which is why I think getting him at the beginning of the 3rd round would be valuable. Anytime you can sneak away from a draft with a guy that was higher on everybody’s boards but somehow slipped, you have to be thrilled. If that happens, the Texans certainly won’t regret it.
Notre Dame football – S Brandon Joseph pick # 158 – Minnesota Vikings
I’ll admit, this is wishful thinking for me as a Vikings fan, but again I think he would fit the Vikings perfectly given Harrison Smith’s limited years. Though he struggled with injuries during his time with the Notre Dame football program, Brandon Joseph is a stud at safety. Yes, the Vikings just drafted Lewis Cine last year out of Georgia, but he’s coming off a horrific leg injury.
Joseph has a whopping 10 career interceptions, and while he did play in 10 games last year and only recorded 1 pick, he only played just over 450 snaps. Nevertheless, when he gets the opportunity, he makes plays; there’s no doubt about that.
In arguably his best season, Joseph had 6 interceptions and 2 pass deflections in his freshman season at Northwestern. The following season, again at Northwestern, Joseph had 79 tackles, 3 interceptions, 4 passes defended, and a fumble recovery. Last year was undoubtedly his least successful in terms of statistics, but he has the ability to be a starting NFL safety.
For the Vikings, many expected a more significant year from Cam Bynum than what they saw from him. And while Cine was hurt, the same can be said for Harrison Smith. With the future so uncertain at one of the most important positions on the field, Joseph could be a tremendous pick for the Minnesota Vikings.
The one argument against Joseph would be that he’s most valuable in coverage, and with Brain Flores as the new defensive coordinator, that may be difficult. Flores loves to throw the kitchen sink at opponents and has no issue blitzing the safeties. For what it’s worth to any Vikings fans out there, that’s why Cine, if healthy, could have a massive season in Minnesota next year.
Still, the Vikings desperately need to get some better coverage defenders on the field this upcoming season. Brandon Joseph would help with precisely that.
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.