Notre Dame Football 2011: 5 Irish Players Who Will Be 1st-Round NFL Draft Picks

While Notre Dame football hasn't achieved the type of success in recent years that it typically expects, the rosters have been full of talent.

Former head coach Charlie Weis brought in loads of talent, but simply could not develop those players.

That's where current head coach Brian Kelly comes in.

Kelly has been deemed an excellent player developer. Considering what he was able to do with his players at Cincinnati, what he will do with the players in South Bend in years to come is a scary thought.

Will that development lead to current Irish players landing at the next level?

The following is a list of five current players who will be first-round NFL draft picks.

5. OT Zack Martin

With only one season of starting experience under his belt, Zack Martin is considered to be Notre Dame's best offensive lineman.

The scariest part about that is the fact that Zack Martin still has three seasons of eligibility remaining, including 2011.

A 6'4", 300-pound left tackle, Zack Martin is sure to add some more beef to his frame before it's all said and done.

NFLDraftScout.com has rated Zack Martin the 12th-best offensive tackle out of 134 in his class.

Zack Martin is sure to climb to the top of that list by the time he exhausts his eligibility in a Notre Dame uniform.

4. DE Stephon Tuitt

While Stephon Tuitt has yet to play a down for the Irish, he has drawn rave reviews from scouts across the nation.

The scouts from Rivals.com say that Stephon Tuitt reminds them of current New York Jets defensive end Shaun Ellis.

A monster at 6'5", 260 pounds, Stephon Tuitt projects well at the next level.

Barry Every of Rivals.com weighed in on Stephon Tuitt last summer.

"

He definitely has the base to play either side of the ball. Physically, he looks more like a third-year college player than a current high school prospect...Look for him to start out as a defensive end but eventually grow into a monster-sized defensive tackle similar to Marcus Stroud or Richard Seymour.

"

With all of those comparisons to current NFL players, it's hard not to imagine Stephon Tuitt being a first-round draft pick.

3. DE Aaron Lynch

Another freshman, Aaron Lynch is a monster defensive end who is only going to improve with time and experience.

Aaron Lynch has excellent size (6'6") and speed (4.66) that will give him an advantage over smaller, slower offensive lines.

Geoff Vogt of Scout.com recently gave his take on Aaron Lynch.

"

Lynch is a big athlete at 6'5, 235 and still growing, he has prototype size for the next level. He is a competitor that plays with a good motor and possesses a quality first step. Lynch shows great lateral mobility.

"

Once again, another Irish freshman who already has NFL promise before even having taken a snap in a college game.

There's no doubt that Aaron Lynch will be a first-rounder.

2. LB Manti Te'o

Manti Te'o, a favorite for preseason All-American honors, will likely be a first-round draft pick in the 2013 NFL draft.

NFLDraftScout.com has rated Manti Te'o as the fourth-best linebacker in his class.

In two years at Notre Dame, Manti Te'o has recorded 196 tackles, which is the most on the team in that span.

Manti Te'o is likely to be a first-team All-American both this season and in 2012.

Don't be surprised if he is the best linebacker available in the 2013 NFL draft.

1. WR Michael Floyd

Perhaps the best receiver in Notre Dame history, Michael Floyd is a lock to be a first-round pick in next year's NFL draft.

NFLDraftBible.com rates him as the second-best receiver in his class behind Oklahoma's Ryan Broyles.

In three seasons as a starter, Michael Floyd has racked up 171 receptions for 2,539 yards and 28 touchdowns.

NFLDraftBible.com is predicting Michael Floyd to be a first-round pick in the 2012 NFL draft.