Notre Dame will have a strong presence in the middle rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft. Cole Kmet could be the first tight end drafted, and Chase Claypool dominance at the NFL Combine in February could push him up the draft.
The Fighting Irish finished the 2019 season 11-2 thanks to the strong depth from these future NFL Draft picks. Here are the Fighting Irish players SN's Vinnie Iyer projects to be selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, according to our seven-round mock draft.
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NFL mock draft 2020: Notre Dame's projected picks
Cole Kmet, TE
Projected: Round 2, Pick No. 44 (Colts)
Kmet was a four-star tight end recruit and just as good, if not better as a baseball prospect. He was drafted in the fifth round of the 2017 MLB draft by the White Sox, but elected to play football and baseball at Notre Dame instead. Kmet is reliable and athletic enough to have a long career in the NFL. He is a big, physical receiver with the ball in the air, but has plenty of room to improve his blocking.
Vinnie Iyer: The Colts need to also find Rivers an athletic mismatch-creating tight end to complement what Jack Doyle does inline for them. Kmet (6-6, 262 pounds) is still developing as a run-blocker, but his size, speed, quickness and hands make him a top-flight receiver for the position.
Julian Okwara, EDGE
Projected: Round 2, Pick No. 54 (Bills)
Okwara might be one of the players whose stock could take a hit due to the coronavirus pandemic. He wasn't able to work out at the combine due to a fractured left fibula that ended his senior season with four games to play. The injury could give teams hesitation, but it also didn't allow Okwara to show off his speed and quickness, his most tantalizing traits. Okwara comes in the tall, but relatively slight frame of a 3-4 outside linebacker. He has a high ceiling thanks to the combination of his explosive quickness and the physical mold to add weight and muscle. Okwara doesn't seem to utilize many pass rush moves, relying too much on his athleticism. Under the right guidance, Okwara has the traits to be pro bowl player if he puts everything together.
Iyer: The Bills need some younger depth to help them get to the quarterback with Shaq Lawson gone. Okwara (6-4, 252 pounds) is a flexible, explosive pass-rusher with great finishing burst to the quarterback.
Chase Claypool, WR
Projected: Round 2, Pick No. 65 (Bengals)
Claypool has an incredible combination of physicality and athleticism. Teams asked him about possibly playing tight end at the next level before the combine. He proceeded to run a blazing 4.42 40-yard dash and record a 40.5-inch vertical jump. Claypool has room to improve as a route runner, but has the tools to be elite player above the rim.
Iyer: The Bengals moved on from Notre Dame first-rounder Tyler Eifert at tight end and need a hybrid big-bodied wideout to help Burrow and complement A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd. Claypool (6-4, 238 pounds) matches his size with great speed and downfield burst. He is not the most technically sound route runner, but he often wins with physical domination.
Troy Pride Jr., CB
Projected: Round 3, Pick No. 82 (Cowboys)
Pride won South Carolina high school sprinting championships in four events in 2016, and his speed is the first thing that stands out on the game film. He showed off that trait at the Combine when he ran a 4.40 40. Pride doesn't have great size (5-11, 193 pounds), but his ability to run could help him develop into a contributor.
Iyer: The Cowboys need to replenish speed and athleticism at corner after losing Byron Jones in free agency. Pride (5-11, 193 pounds) just needs to become more refined and aggressive with his coverage skills to get the most out of those agility traits.
Khalid Kareem, EDGE
Projected: Round 3, Pick 93 (Titans)
Kareem doesn't have the athleticism of Okwara, but he also doesn't have the upside. With that said, Kareem was still probably the better football player in college. He's a big, strong 4-3 defensive end who can contribute in the NFL.
Iyer: The Titans need some pass-rush consideration to help Harold Landry more with only Vic Beasley signed in the wake of releasing Cameron Wake. Kareem (6-4, 268 pounds) is a versatile, powerful option.
Alohi Gilman, S
Projected: Round 6, Pick No. 204 (Patriots)
Gilman started his collegiate career at Navy but traded his naval uniform in for a Fighting Irish jersey. Gilman brought his leadership abilities from the Naval Academy to South Bend where he had six forced fumbles and three interceptions in his two years as a starter. Gilman struggles in coverage and missed 13 tackles in 2019, but could be a good special teams contributor at the NFL level.
Jalen Elliot, S
Projected: Round 7, Pick No. 245 (49ers)
Elliot was a three-year starter at Notre Dame, but his 4.80 40-yard dash shows his lack of speed that left him exposed in coverage. He is a strong tackler but his coverage ability is what puts him on the fringe of being drafted.