Where remaining Notre Dame NFL Draft prospects rank among ESPN’s best available
One former Notre Dame player is already off the board.
Kyle Hamilton became the Fighting Irish’s first first-round draftee since 2019 when he went No. 14 overall to the Baltimore Ravens. He’s Notre Dame’s highest-drafted defensive player since Bryant Young in 1994.
Notre Dame has had at least two players picked in every draft since 2016. The streak isn’t expected to be snapped in 2022. The Irish could see as many as four more players go off the board according to ESPN’s “best available” rankings, but it might take until the third day of the draft Saturday.
None of Notre Dame’s prospects rank in the top 100 of the best available rankings. The second and third rounds of the draft take place tonight starting at 7 p.m. ET. There will be 73 picks. Unless a team reaches for a former Golden Domer, there won’t be any Irish fanfare associated with Friday’s proceedings.
Here is where the remaining Notre Dame draft hopefuls fall in the hierarchy.
Irish RB Kyren Williams
Overall best available ranking: 131
Running back best available ranking: 13
ESPN pre-draft analysis: Williams is a slippery runner with good contact balance. He broke or evaded 118 tackles on rushes since 2020, which is the third most among FBS running backs in that time according to ESPN Stats & Information research. He has below-average top-end speed, but he’s quicker than fast. He’s a natural hands catcher who is versatile enough to work out of the slot. — Steve Muench
Notre Dame WR Kevin Austin Jr.
Overall best available ranking: 153
Wide receiver best available ranking: 19
ESPN pre-draft analysis: Austin has the burst to run away from defenders on crossers, get behind the coverage on vertical routes and threaten after the catch. He’s a hands catcher with long arms and good body control. He finished in the top five in the three-cone drill, vertical jump and broad jump at the combine. He gets jammed up by press coverage and lacks polish as a route runner. He had caught a total of six passes going into the 2021 season. — Steve Muench
Notre Dame DE Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa
Overall best available ranking: 174
Defensive end best available ranking: 15
ESPN pre-draft analysis: Tagovailoa-Amosa shed some weight and moved from defensive tackle to defensive end in 2021. He has the initial quickness and low center of gravity to set the edge. Tagovailoa-Amosa flashes as a hand fighter, and he can kick inside to rush the passer, but he lacks ideal length, bend and change of direction for an edge rusher. — Steve Muench
Irish QB Jack Coan
Overall best available ranking: 223
Quarterback best available ranking: 8
ESPN pre-draft analysis: Coan is an accurate pocket passer who can pick defenses apart when he gets clean pre-snap reads and gets the ball out in rhythm. His ball placement is a little inconsistent, but he shows the ability to lead receivers to yards after the catch. Coan can climb the pocket but doesn’t have the foot speed to regularly extend plays, and he’s not as effective making off-platform throws. — Steve Muench
