What Dane Brugler’s 2023 NFL Draft guide says about Notre Dame late-round and UDFA prospects
Michael Mayer and Isaiah Foskey are Notre Dame’s top two 2023 NFL Draft prospects, and therein the two most discussed. At least one appears in almost every mock draft published these days. Both show up in top-100 or top-150 prospect rankings. An NFL team is likely to take Mayer in the first round and Foskey sometime on Day 2.
They are, though, just two of 12 players in the Irish’s draft class this year. The other 10 generate less discussion and aren’t often found in top 100s. It’s likely only two of those 10 are picked in the April 27-29 draft. But nearly all of them are ranked and a few have in-depth scouting reports in “The Beast” — the annual draft guide from The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler that includes more than 400 breakdowns and nearly 1,900 ranked prospects.
Here are some snippets of what Brugler wrote about the Notre Dame prospects likely to be selected on Day 3 or go undrafted.
Offensive lineman Jarrett Patterson
Brugler’s ranking: No. 8 center
Draft grade: fifth or sixth round
Summary: Jarrett Patterson started 46 games at Notre Dame, 32 at center from 2019-21 and 12 this year at left guard. He did not allow a sack in 1,688 career pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus.
“A two-time team captain, Patterson does a nice job staying square with the active hands and awareness to keep defenders occupied,” Brugler wrote. “While his process is sound, he often loses balance after first contact or out in space.
Overall, Patterson has alert eyes and strong, stubborn hands from contact to finish, but his lack of ideal length and athleticism showed on his college film and will be even more evident versus NFL competition. His guard-center experience will help his chances of earning an NFL reserve spot.”
More Notre Dame NFL Draft links:
• Notre Dame football 2023 pro day results, times
• 2023 NFL Scouting Combine: Full results for Notre Dame football participants
• What Dane Brugler’s 2023 NFL Draft guide says about top Notre Dame prospects
Safety Brandon Joseph
Brugler’s ranking: No. 21 safety
Draft grade: sixth or seventh round
Summary: Brandon Joseph transferred to Notre Dame from Northwestern in January 2022 with an All-American season in 2020 on his résumé. He had 6 interceptions in 2020 and followed that with 3 in 2021. He started all 10 games he played in his lone season with the Irish, making 30 tackles with 1 interception and 1 pass defended.
“Joseph played free safety in defensive coordinator Al Golden’s scheme,” Brugler wrote. “He put his name on the NFL radar with his All-American redshirt freshman season at Northwestern (his name is on the second deck of Ryan Field as one of only 14 consensus All-Americans in school history), but his consistency and impact the past two seasons fell short of the hype.
“In coverage, Joseph shows range to reach his landmarks in deep zones or attack plays in the flat, but his ball skills are not as impressive as his career interception total would suggest. Though he’s made improvements in the run game, he is prone to reckless tendencies and hasn’t been a secure, open field tackler.
“Overall, Joseph works well from his centerfield perch to read and put himself in position to make plays, but his lack of explosive traits and inconsistent technique will be more noticeable versus NFL competition. He projects as a potential backup and special-teamer.”
Where other Notre Dame players are ranked
Brugler had seven other Notre Dame players in his position rankings. All are projected to go undrafted and were not invited to the NFL Combine.
• Wide receiver Avery Davis: No. 91 wide receiver
• Guard Josh Lugg: No. 41 guard
• Defensive tackle Jayson Ademilola: No. 34 defensive tackle
• Defensive tackle Chris Smith: No. 36 defensive tackle
• Defensive end Justin Ademilola: No. 65 EDGE
• Linebacker Bo Bauer: No. 97 linebacker
• Cornerback TaRiq Bracy: No. 95 cornerback
• Kicker Blake Grupe: Not among the 20 ranked kickers
