In the big picture, the NFL Draft is right around the corner. Soon, we’ll be seeing players participating in Pro Days as the mock draft business reaches a feverish pitch. Today, we’re going to evaluate the bottom of Notre Dame’s pro prospects. Essentially, the players predicted to be 6th or 7th round picks but more likely free agent signings or camp invites.
We’ll start with the players least likely to get drafted and move to the more coveted prospects:
TE Brock Wright
Wright leaves behind one of the more strange careers in recent Irish history. As the top recruit in the 2017 class big things were expected for him in tandem with fellow classmate Cole Kmet. That future certainly worked out for Kmet who left school early and became the 43rd overall pick by the Bears in last year’s draft. In fact, Kmet caught more passes against Georgia in 2019 than Wright caught in his entire career.
Yet, Wright truly never received the derision or frustration that usually accompanies hyped recruits who really don’t produce. At first, it did seem like Wright would make a name for himself as he passed the eye test physically. Still, it wasn’t long before he was moved into a largely blocking role, even morphing into a H-back and fullback on occasion.
It would seem impossible for Wright to get selected this spring with so little receiving ability on tape. The NFL really isn’t interested in picking primarily blocking tight ends these days and scouts would have to see something with him that wasn’t apparent at Notre Dame to think he’ll stick to a 52-man roster.
Prediction: Camp Invite
CB Shaun Crawford
Based on his recruiting timeline, Crawford should be nearing 24 years old if he hasn’t reached that age already. He’s old, small, and suffered a ton of injuries in college. Other than that though, possibly a good prospect!
Once upon a time, Crawford looked like someone who could be a middle-round pick. As a young player his ability to break on the ball was elite and he was fantastic accelerating and tackling opponents in the open field. He showed a tenacious ability to tackle and was physical well beyond his size, too.
But, the injuries have taken their toll. Not to mention, Crawford has been forced to play corner, nickel, and safety throughout his tenure at Notre Dame and never could really become a master at any one position. I guess it’s possible that this versatility is a major strength for NFL scouts?
Prediction: Camp Invite
WR Ben Skowronek
Skowronek caught 139 passes in college (including 29 in 9 games at Notre Dame) and put together really solid 2017-18, 2020 seasons outside of his injured 2019 campaign. He did miss an opportunity during Senior Bowl week when he injured his foot and we’ll have to see how much of a set back that becomes for him in the near future.
While not a burner by any means, Skowronek does have nice acceleration in the open field. For a receiver that isn’t small I would’ve liked more physicality and more one-on-one battles won on contested throws. We saw Skowronek win a couple fade passes against Boston College for touchdowns but not as much down the sidelines in more high volume attempts.
If I’m a scout I’m questioning Skowronek’s ceiling at the next level. In a league where teams are loading up on receivers early in the draft like never before there can’t be room for someone like Skowronek as a late flyer.
Prediction: Camp Invite
WR Javon McKinley
McKinley is largely in the same boat as Skowronek, although he lacks the quickness and overall production of his former teammate. Although, it does feel like McKinley leaves with about 500 yards in his career when he nearly gained 1,000 yards thanks to a team-leading 717 yards this past year.
Inevitably, people will probably talk about bulking McKinley up into a tight end or hybrid player. That typically never works out. My idea if I’m scouting is to see if McKinley can slim down and work on his speed. We saw so little of McKinley prior to 2020 that it still feels like he could push his ceiling a little higher with a professional-level workout regiment it’s just a lack of speed could really make NFL teams shy away from him.
Prediction: Camp Invite
CB Nick McCloud
The Hula Bowl defensive MVP, everybody! McCloud is certainly the most intriguing player in our list today having been a grad transfer who played one year for Notre Dame but logged a ton of time at NC State as well. He was able to solidify the corner spot for the Irish in 2020 and thank goodness for that.
As a pro prospect, McCloud has good size and put together a good career while playing through a ton of injuries. I’m not really sure he’s stood out enough to be a draft pick but he also has many of the hallmarks of a prospect who could have a cup of coffee in the NFL if he can stay healthy.
His Pro Day will be vitally important to see if McCloud offers the quickness and speed necessary to survive in the NFL. Remember, we’ve basically never seen him practice so there’s still some more to learn this spring.
Prediction: Priority Free Agent
OL Tommy Kraemer
The NFL is a funny beast, isn’t it? If I had told you that the elite recruit in Kraemer would finish with 39 career starts while picking up some All-American and All-ACC honors you would think he’s a slam dunk to get drafted. Somehow, that doesn’t seem to be the case?
Kraemer is a bit of a mauler and most of his scouting reports bring up that fact. He’s got great size and would’ve been a much more coveted prospect 20 to 30 years ago in a more run-heavy league. People really question his athleticism though. Some of the his reports are pretty brutal in their assessment–slow, can’t move very well, and by far the worst pulling lineman for the Irish.
Once upon a time, Kraemer had the flexibility to play tackle but those days appear long gone. Some NFL team will surely bring him and take a look at him because of his size and experience and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he does end up a late-round pick, either.
Prediction: Priority Free Agent
Completely agree on McKinley. I think there’s a place at the back end of an NFL roster for him if he goes for slimming down, but I’m guessing he will try to bulk up.
Kraemer is intriguing. If there is a place in the NFL for Sam Mustipher (who actually got 8 NFL starts this year), I would think there’s easily a place for Kraemer. But having that Center ability in the NFL is really the only reason Mustipher even ended up getting a chance, so I have no idea what happens with Kraemer.
Crawford should be really interesting. Like everybody else, I don’t think he has the size to play in the NFL. But his experience playing so many positions could be such a huge positive. If he can show something in an NFL camp on coverage units, there is definitely a place for a guy like him. He could be something like the Bears’ Sherrick McManis; a really hard worker, who busts his butt on every special teams play, and is able to add emergency depth to the defensive roster. Something like backup Nickel, plus emergency Safety and emergency outside CB. But to even get to that point is going to require an incredible pro day.
One thing I appreciate about this site are the realistic assessments like this. From this group, only Kraemer and McCloud have a chance to be a late round pick if there is a team with the right combination of a need and a system fit.
Crawford was a great feel good story as he kept coming back, but the reality is that he is a short DB who’s main feature was his quickness — unfortunately, those injuries combined with his small size mean that he is not likely to make it in the NFL.
Agree with all of these, unfortunately don’t think there’s that good of prospects for any of these guys, but who knows. Call me crazy, but I’d take Skowronek’s chances the best out of any of ’em, he’s got size and could work well in a system in a league where they can’t get enough WR’s these days.
Also, of all the people who could have taken advantage of the extra year from the NCAA, not sure why Wright didn’t come back to Notre Dame (or transfer and play for a decent-ish P5 team somewhere). I get no one likes to stay in school forever, but it would have only be a 5th year for him, and not a more unrealistic 6th year like some other candidates….And he likely would have gotten a lot more snaps at ND in 2021.
Maybe he figured it was just time to get on with his life’s work and not put any more tread on the tires, so good luck to him….But out of all these guys to me he’s the one case where I think “gee, maybe he should have taken that extra year”.
I was very surprised he didn’t transfer. Mayer is going to dominate touches next year, plus the RBs should get a ton of carries. He was a prime guy to transfer and try to make something happen elsewhere for a year.
I’d be a little surprised if Kraemer doesn’t get drafted. Line play in the NFL continues to deteriorate as there are fewer and fewer full contact practice days, the League is desperate for guys who can plug in and provide some level of protection for QBs even if they can’t pull around the end and get a hand on the Sam to support the running game.
Heck, half the teams in the Super Bowl this year will volunteer to take a lineman if the only “Pro” in his scouting report is “Will not allow free rushers shots at your franchise Quarterback.”