We are breaking down the Notre Dame prospects hoping to hear their names called in the upcoming NFL Draft being held in Detroit from April 25th through the 27th. Today, we look at one of the top tacklers in Fighting Irish history.

SPECS

Name: JD Bertrand
Hometown: Alpharetta, Georgia
Position: LB
Height: 6-0 7/10 (per Pro Day)
Weight: 235 (per Pro Day)
Bench Press: 20 (2nd out of 7 LB)

STRENGTHS:

Tremendous production throughout a long college career. Bertrand has a strong and lean frame with big heavy-hitting arms. An aggressive down-hill tackler with a good nose for the ball. As a two-time captain at Notre Dame he was a consummate leader. Sneaky good short area explosiveness, especially coming towards the line of scrimmage. Excels in zone coverage.

WEAKNESSES:

Lacks ideal height and he will struggle with a lack of range at the NFL level. Often takes himself out of the play with an overly aggressive style. From time to time takes bad angles and is unable to make a play on the ball. Bertrand didn’t have the physical stature to get off blocks against the top-end of Notre Dame’s schedule. Production arguably should’ve been better given his use within the Irish defense. Man coverage is a definite weakness.

OVERVIEW:

Bertrand went from maybe being a scholarship grayshirt (remember that!?) and leaves Notre Dame with a tremendous career behind him. I know it didn’t always feel like he was a top-level producer at linebacker and still he totaled 267 tackles and 22.5 tackles for loss. Not too shabby.

Initially, Bertrand was not on the NFL radar but that has changed after a few years of starting for Notre Dame. He didn’t do much of anything at the NFL Combine after dealing with a plantar fasciitis injury following a successful Senior Bowl and that might have been a missed opportunity. He also didn’t do much at the Notre Dame Pro Day, either.

PREDICTION:

7th Round, 243rd Overall to the Cleveland Browns

The Browns just signed 8-year veteran Jordan Hicks to a 2-year deal with an out after 2024 to fill a hole at inside linebacker. Still, they should be looking for quality linebacker depth at the end of the draft and Bertrand fits the bill to join the franchise with former teammate Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. The talented JOK is heading into the final year of his rookie deal and will be looking for a big contract soon, furthering Cleveland’s need for cheaper depth in the coming years.

Bertrand probably wouldn’t be drafted if not for his special teams experience and value. That skillset just might get him over the line to hear his name called in Detroit during the NFL Draft. If not, he’ll be a really valuable free agent signing with one of the 32 teams in the league.