As with any big college football program, the NFL draft sees some of their best players get the opportunity at the next level. This is something that Notre Dame is very used to and 2024 was no different. There were seven Irish chosen throughout the seven rounds, as well as four being undrafted free-agent signings. In total, eleven former Fighting Irish are set to join the NFL ranks this season.
Now hopefully all eleven of these prospects can carve out a nice career for themselves in the NFL. The more Notre Dame alums that are succeeding in the NFL, the better the program is going to look. This will make recruiting easier for Notre Dame because they can sell the university as a pipeline for the NFL. Unfortunately, not every opportunity is made the same and some prospects are in a better position than others. Here are the Irish prospects in the best position to succeed in their rookie season.
1. Joe Alt
Now, when you are the fifth overall pick in the draft, you normally going to a struggling team. A team that has many issues that can’t be solved with the one draft pick. However, the Chargers are not like most teams with a top draft pick. They have found their franchise quarterback in Justin Herbert. They also have Jim Harbaugh, fresh off winning a national championship at Michigan. There is a lot of upside for this Chargers team.
Joe Alt is set to contribute to the Chargers offensive attack. Harbaugh runs a very balanced offensive attack. This will improve the offense of the Chargers, who don’t have the greatest receiving core. Having a balanced attack will force the defense to account for every player on the field. They can’t load up to stop the run or to stop the pass.
However, the success of an offensive attack relies on the success of the offensive line. If the line can’t protect the quarterback or create running lanes, the offense is going nowhere. With Alt slated to guard Herbert’s blindside, things look bright. Alt was one of the best linemen Notre Dame has sent to the league in a while. If he’s able to be the lineman he was in South Bend, the line has a chance to fit exactly what Harbaugh needs.
2. Audric Estime
When you think of fourth-round picks, you don’t think of them having an impact in their rookie season. Normally they start as depth pieces who can become starters after a few seasons. They’re development projects and not day-one starters like the ones you would find in the early rounds of the draft. However, Audric Estime is a different story.
Estime is entering a Broncos offense in the middle of transition. Their quarterback situation is up in the air. It’s unknown whether Zach Wilson or Bo Nix is going to be the starter this season. Then, there is the fact that they traded Jerry Jeudy, weakening their receiving core. In other words, their passing attack took a major hit this offseason.
This is going to cause the Broncos to focus more on their ground attack. If they have a good run game, it will take pressure off their young quarterback. It will also make defenses have to cater their game plan to stopping the run, which will allow the receivers to get wide open. With such an emphasis on the run game, the Broncos are going to give ample opportunities to all their running backs, which will allow Estime to show off his physical yet explosive run style.
3. Marist Liufau
If there was one issue the Cowboys had last season was the play of their linebackers. It was the weakest position on the Cowboys’ defense, maybe even on the entire roster. It was so bad that one of the Cowboys’ main goals was to rebuild that unit. And boy did they give it a makeover. On top of drafting Marist Liufau in the third round, they also signed Eric Kendricks in hopes some veteran presence would help improve that unit.
With the Cowboys giving their linebacking core a complete makeover, there isn’t anyone locked in at a position. Essentially to be a starter, you’re going to have to earn your spot. Allowing a rookie like Liufau to turn heads at camp and/or the preseason could lead him to be rewarded the week one starter job. Honestly, Liufau is the only former Notre Dame player outside of Joe Alt to be a starter to start the season.
Thanks for reading! Credit for my feature image goes to Icon Sportswire. You can find more football content at Belly Up Sports and follow me on Twitter/X.
