Notre Dame Football 2016 NFL Draft Tracker, Analysis and Results
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have always been known for putting talent into the NFL, but this year's class may be even better than usual. Ronnie Stanley, Jaylon Smith and Will Fuller all have first-round potential, while there are also some talented prospects projected to go in the later rounds.
We will break down each projected player for the 2016 NFL draft and also discuss replacements for these 10 players leaving school.
Note: This NFL draft tracker will be updated as the players are selected.
OT Ronnie Stanley
1 of 10
Drafted: Round 1, Pick 6 to Baltimore
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 312 lbs
Analysis: Some expected Laremy Tunsil to be the first offensive tackle off the board, but the Ravens made a great choice by taking Stanley with the No. 6 pick. The Ravens are different from some of the other teams picking this high, because it was simply injuries that led to a 5-11 campaign a year ago.
Stanley will help solidify the offensive line and protect quarterback Joe Flacco. According to ESPN Stats and Info, Stanley is the first Notre Dame player selected in the top-10 since 1994.
Replacement: Mike McGlinchey is projected to take over at left tackle for Stanley, but it will be tough to replace the talent that he brought to the position. He has had plenty of playing time, though, so the Irish will at least be getting someone with experience to replace him.
WR Will Fuller
2 of 10
Drafted: Round 1, Pick 21 to Houston
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 186 lbs
Analysis: Drawing comparisons to Ted Ginn Jr., Fuller is a guy that can stretch the field with his speed and will provide the Texans with another reliable target to help out quarterback Brock Osweiler. The Texans already have an elite No. 1 receiver in DeAndre Hopkins, so this situation is ideal for Fuller. He won't have the pressure to be the go-to guy, but he will give defenses another weapon to worry about.
Replacement: The Irish will lose Fuller, but they keep two of their other top receiving threats in Torii Hunter Jr. and Equanimeous St. Brown. Both are talented receivers, but the real issue is finding someone to become a deep threat. It will up to one of these two, or someone else, to give Notre Dame the opportunity to throw the ball down the field.
LB Jaylon Smith
3 of 10
Drafted: Round 2, Pick 34 to Dallas
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 223 lbs
Analysis: The Cowboys are taking a chance because of Smith's injury, but Dallas is getting a Pro Bowl-caliber linebacker with this pick. Per Bob McGinn of Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel, nerve damage has teams concerned with his ability to get back on the field. Smith was a probable top-five selection before his injury, so Dallas is getting a steal with this pick early in the second round.
Replacement: Asmar Bilal, Nyles Morgan and James Onwualu are the projected starters at linebacker for the Irish this season. Onwualu is a returning starter and Nyles Morgan has some upside, so the Irish should recover okay at this position.
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.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
C Nick Martin
4 of 10
Drafted: Round 2, Pick 50 to Houston
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 299 lbs
Analysis: Houston traded up two spots to select Martin, and they will be getting an excellent guy to center the offensive line around for the future. Zierlein of NFL.com took notice of his intelligence, leadership and toughness as key components of his game, which should help him become a solid starter at the next level.
Replacement: Sam Mustipher will likely be the next starter at center, and this is one of the main positions Notre Dame will feel a loss. Mustipher is a guy that has hardly any experience, and although he was talented in high school, it will be tough to replace Nick Martin.
CB KeiVarae Russell
5 of 10
Drafted: Round 3, Pick 74 to Kansas City
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 192 lbs
Analysis: A broken tibia suffered towards the end of the 2015 season could have knocked him down the draft board a little bit, especially after he missed the entire 2014 season due to academic suspension. Per CBSSports.com, Russell projects to be a future starter at the next level, but Kansas City will likely have to be patient with this guy.
Replacement: Nick Watkins is injured right now, but he and Cole Luke project to be the starters once the season begins. Russell was a guy that missed a lot of time during his Notre Dame career, so replacing him shouldn't be too much of a worry.
RB C.J. Prosise
6 of 10
Drafted: Round 3, Pick 90 to Seattle
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 220 lbs
Analysis: After the retirement of Marshawn Lynch, it was expected that the Seahawks take a running back in this draft. Prosise became the full-time starter for Notre Dame in 2015 when Tarean Folston was injured in the season opener against Texas. At 220 pounds, he has the frame that scouts want to see in a pro running back, and he should fit right in with Seattle's power-running scheme.
Replacement: Prosise wasn't even supposed to be the starter last season, so replacing him will not be a major task. Josh Adams and Tarean Folston will be the top two backs and both should have productive seasons for Brian Kelly's offense.
DT Sheldon Day
7 of 10
Drafted: Round 4, Pick 103 to Jacksonville
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 293 lbs
Analysis: The knock on Sheldon Day is that his size and length don't really match him up well on the inside or on the edge, but this guy can make plays. Per Mike Vorel of ND Insider, ESPN's Todd McShay is very high on the former Notre Dame defensive lineman. Despite concerns over his size, Day will be a good addition to Jacksonville's defense.
Replacement: Jarron Jones has experience and tremendous size, so it's possible that he is just as productive as Day was last season. He will be joined by Jerry Tillery at the other defensive tackle spot.
LB Romeo Okwara
8 of 10
Drafted: Undrafted
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 265 lbs
Analysis: Okwara is projected to be picked in the later rounds, and a lot of it has to do with him just not being quite ready for the next level. Zierlein of NFL.com called him "extremely raw" and that making a roster will be "exceptionally difficult." He also added that "Okwara is missing the quickness to be an NFL pass-rusher while being a block magnet in the running game."
Replacement: Jay Hayes and Andrew Trumbetti will battle it out for one defensive end spot, but Isaac Rochell projects to be the starter on the other side. Hayes is making the switch from tackle, a move that is likely to give more power against the run. Rochell will almost certainly be a starter as he is the second-leading tackler back from last year's team.
S Elijah Shumate
9 of 10
Drafted: Undrafted
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 216 lbs
Analysis: Shumate had a strong showing at the NFL combine in February as he finished fourth out of 47 defensive backs with 18 reps of 225 pounds on bench press, according to ND Insider. His size and strength makes him an enticing draft choice, but he has struggled to prove his quickness in the open field with a slow 40-yard dash time at the combine.
Replacement: After backing up Shumate last season, it will be Drue Tranquill's time to take the stage this fall. He played in a lot of games as a freshman and even won the Newcomer of the Year Award for the defense.
WR Chris Brown
10 of 10
Drafted: Undrafted
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 194 lbs
Analysis: Brown isn't going to blow anyone away with his physical stature or breakaway speed, but it's his route running and ability to make tough catches that will keep him in the league for a few years.
He is similar to Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews because he doesn't jump off the charts with size and speed, but, like Matthews, he is a reliable target when the team needs a completion. He is a steal in the seventh round, because, as long as his route running continues to improve, he will be a solid NFL wide receiver.
Replacement: Like we stated earlier, the Irish will get two talented options back at receiver with Hunter Jr. and St. Brown. Hunter Jr. is the guy we expect to step up in place of Brown, who was a very reliable target.
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.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
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