Notre Dame Football: 5 Best 2014 NFL Seasons by Irish Alums

With yesterday’s start to the College Football Playoff and this weekend’s commencement of the NFL playoffs, let’s check in on some of the former Notre Dame football players at the next level.

Irish alums litter NFL rosters, from recent stars such as defensive linemen Stephen Tuitt (Steelers) and Louis Nix (Texans) to former starters in the Tyrone Willingham era such as tight end Anthony Fasano (Chiefs) and defensive end Justin Tuck (Raiders).

We’ll narrow everything down into the five best 2014 NFL seasons by such former Irish greats, emphasizing individual performance and overall value to a player’s team.

And for a complete look at how each Notre Dame football alum fared in the NFL this season, Andrew Owens of Blue & Gold Illustrated has an in-depth compilation.

Honorable Mentions

Al Bello/Getty Images

Jonas Gray

Trimming down all of the Golden Domers in the NFL to the five best is a difficult task based on numbers alone. The following players, in no particular order, warranted discussion but missed out on making the cut. 

• Jonas Gray, RB, New England Patriots
• Theo Riddick, RB, Detroit Lions
• Ryan Harris, OT, Kansas City Chiefs
• John Sullivan, C, Minnesota Vikings
• Justin Tuck, DE, Oakland Raiders
• Darrin Walls, CB, New York Jets

Gray and Riddick flashed in certain situations as reserve running backs on their respective clubs, while Harris and Sullivan held down starting roles on their offensive lines. Tuck tallied five sacks in his 10th season in the league and his first with the Raiders. Walls, who started four games through his first three seasons in the NFL, logged 12 starts and notched two interceptions in the Jets secondary.

5. Michael Floyd, WR, Arizona Cardinals

Tony Avelar/Associated Press

Michael Floyd

One of the most prolific wide receivers to ever don the blue and gold, third-year Cardinals wideout Michael Floyd piled up 47 receptions for 841 yards and six touchdowns.

Floyd broke out to a fast start for surging Arizona, amassing 100-yard days in two of the first three games of the season. The 6’3”, 225-pounder couldn’t maintain that pace for the duration of the season, however, especially as Cardinals quarterbacks suffered injury after injury.

Still, in the regular-season finale against the 49ers, Floyd shined with eight grabs for 153 yards and two scores—his first touchdowns since mid-November.

In the end, Floyd didn’t quite match his productive 2013 season, but the Minnesota native still is off and running in his NFL career.

Floyd’s Cardinals will kick-start the NFL postseason Saturday afternoon when they square off against Carolina.

4. Robert Blanton, DB, Minnesota Vikings

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

Robert Blanton

In his third season in the NFL, Vikings safety Robert Blanton made 13 starts and compiled 106 total tackles playing alongside fellow Irish alum Harrison Smith in the secondary.

A cornerback in South Bend, Blanton was selected in the fifth round of the 2012 draft by Minnesota. After making three combined starts in his first two seasons, Blanton ascended the depth chart this year.

Although Andrew Sendejo earned starts over Blanton down the stretch, Blanton still managed to lead the Vikings in tackles.

The Vikings finished 7-9 in the NFC North.

3. Harrison Smith, DB, Minnesota Vikings

David Banks/Getty Images

Harrison Smith

Robert Blanton’s secondary cohort at Notre Dame and with the Vikings, third-year safety Harrison Smith, again started at free safety for Minnesota.

A first-round selection in 2012, Smith started right away for the Vikings and bounced back from a 2013 injury to make 93 tackles this season in addition to a career-high five interceptions.

"

#Vikings S Harrison Smith (7) and DE Everson Griffen (1) receive AP All-Pro votes. http://t.co/xB8v6KsgoL

— Mike Wobschall (@wobby) January 2, 2015"

Smith provided an early highlight this season with his 81-yard interception return for a touchdown in the season opener against the Rams.

2. Golden Tate, WR, Detroit Lions

Rick Osentoski/Associated Press

Golden Tate

Calvin Johnson garners plenty of accolades, and deservedly so, for his play as one of the NFL’s best receivers. This year, however, new teammate Golden Tate stepped up alongside him and also took over the top duties when Johnson was out due to injury.

In his fifth NFL season and first with the Lions, Tate finished sixth in the league in receptions (99), seventh in receiving yards (1,331) and tacked on four touchdowns for good measure.

Tate had never eclipsed 64 receptions or 900 receiving yards in any of his four seasons with the Seahawks.

"

Most yards after catch among WRs: Golden Tate 709 Demaryius Thomas 672 Antonio Brown 615 Randall Cobb 603 Jordy Nelson 558 Julio Jones 552

— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) December 29, 2014"

The 11-5 Lions grabbed the No. 6 seed in the NFC, and Detroit will clash with the Cowboys on Sunday afternoon.

1. Zack Martin, OG, Dallas Cowboys

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Zack Martin

The awards and recognition just keep on coming for Cowboys rookie right guard Zack Martin.

A first-round draft pick after a stellar career at left tackle for Notre Dame, Martin stepped into the starting role at right guard and became the only rookie elected to the Pro Bowl (though others were added later as injury replacements) and the only rookie on the AP All-Pro Team.

"

Cowboys Land Four Players On All-Pro Team; Martin First Cowboys Rookie In 45 Years   http://t.co/ZnoCzAONEy pic.twitter.com/vq4c6BI3Sz

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) January 2, 2015"

"

Zach Martin moved from LT to RG & was 1st Team All Pro. As a rookie. You know how crazy that is?

— Ross Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) January 2, 2015"

"

Offensive linemen who started 16 games and didn't allow a sack this year: Andrew Whitworth, Josh Sitton and Zack Martin

— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) December 29, 2014"

Martin played a key role in improving Dallas’ offensive line, which paved the way for the Cowboys to finish the regular season with the No. 5 scoring offense and the No. 2 rushing offense, per NFL.com.

Martin and the Cowboys will host the Lions on Sunday afternoon.

All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

Mike Monaco is a lead Notre Dame writer for Bleacher Report. Follow @MikeMonaco on Twitter.