The Notre Dame Fighting Irish had a pretty good weekend at the NFL Draft. The numbers don’t rival what the Alabama Crimson Tide did overall, but who is really going to compete with 12 guys selected in a draft?
Notre Dame did do something spectacular that Bama - or anyone else this year - didn’t do. The Irish had two players drafted in the top ten of the draft.
QUENTON NELSON: ROUND 1, 6TH OVERALL TO THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
There had been some rumblings of Nelson going even earlier, but the Cleveland Browns made their moves and the Indianapolis Colts made the call to get the best offensive lineman in the draft (and probably the best football player in the draft) Quenton Nelson.
The phone call that changes everything.#GoIrish☘️ #IrishInTheNFL pic.twitter.com/w38Xwwzqbl
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) April 27, 2018
The 2018 Draft is over & here is my favorite tidbit: In several facilities, Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson was nicknamed “Earl Grey” or some variation because all he did on film was teabag dudes after he drove their faces in the turf. Future bodyguard for #Colts QB Andrew Luck.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 28, 2018
MIKE MCGLINCHEY: ROUND 1, 9TH OVERALL TO THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
It’s funny how things work out. Mike McGlinchey was not even in quite a few mock drafts leading up o the draft, but then you get a team like the San Francisco 49ers and their need to protect their new quarterback... and suddenly that big man is looking mighty fine.
When all your dreams come true. No feeling like it.
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) April 27, 2018
Proud of you, @mmcglinch68.#GoIrish☘️ #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/xvYVrqrUqJ
Lots of @49ers fans asking about Mike McGlinchey. He's a stud. Most ready OT to play now. He will start at RT after Brown is traded, and then take over for Staley at LT when he retires. Smart pick.
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) April 27, 2018
SO THAT WAS A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY
The 49ers select Mike McGlinchey with the No. 9 pick.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 27, 2018
This is the first time since 1990 that Notre Dame had two players selected in the Top 10 (Rick Mirer No. 2, Jerome Bettis No. 10). pic.twitter.com/nx6Sk13v7K
It took a whopping 28 years to repeat that? Well... that is a fairly rare thing. What’s not rare is Notre Dame offensive lineman going in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Notre Dame has had four offensive linemen drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft since 2014 – the most of any school in the FBS...#NFLDraft#BertschyBits
— Michael Bertsch (@NDsidBertschy) April 27, 2018
Notre Dame is the first school in 37 years and just the second in NFL Draft history to have four offensive lineman selected in the top 16 picks over a five-year span…#NFLDraft#BertschyBits
— Michael Bertsch (@NDsidBertschy) April 27, 2018
It’s a little something called... tradition.
DURHAM SMYTHE: ROUND 4, 123RD OVERALL TO THE MIAMI DOLPHINS
Durham Smythe plays just as much of a part in Notre Dame’s draft tradition as Nelson and McGlinchey. Notre Dame’s opening day starter at tight end has developed into an eventual NFL Draft pick in each of the past 14 seasons - and the Miami Dolphins kept that streak alive.
Former #Belton Tiger Durham Smythe talks about the moment he got the call from the #Dolphins in the 4th round of the #NFLDraft #FinsUP@NDFootball @D_Smythe80 pic.twitter.com/bUieWu3FsI
— Jessica Morrey (@JessicaMorrey) April 29, 2018
Durham Smythe got open a lot at Notre Dame. Him not getting a lot of touches wasn't really on him. Part of it was where he was in the progression, having other good players around him, etc. But he knows how to get open and he has really good hands.
— Bryan Driskell (@BGI_CoachD) April 28, 2018
EQUANIMEOUS ST. BROWN: ROUND 6, 207 OVERALL TO THE GREEN BAY PACKERS
This pick took a little longer than many were anticipating. Equanimeous St. Brown had to tough it out for a few rounds of angst, but when the Green Bay Packers finally called his name - it couldn’t have been a better situation for EQ. Aaron Rodgers AND DeShone Kizer? It’ll be on E Street to get that ball now, because it will be on target.
The most unique name in the #NFLDraft is a Cheesehead.
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) April 28, 2018
Can't wait to see what you bring to that @packers Green and Gold, @equanimeous. #GoIrish ☘ #IrishInTheNFL pic.twitter.com/yvVs7jLpLD
The Equanimeous St. Brown drop to me signals there is something we aren't yet being told. His upside screams value for this point in draft. For a player who is lacking a chip on his shoulder, you are giving him one right now #NFLDraft
— Andy Singleton (@PeoplezPen) April 28, 2018
GETTING PAID IS WHY THEY DO THIS
For all the “love of the game” talk - NFL players make money. This is a job, and can be a very well-paid job at that. What are Notre Dame’s draft picks looking at with their first contracts (ballpark)?
- Quenton Nelson: $23,889,452 Signing Bonus: $15,454,147
- Mike McGlinchey: $18,342,124 Signing Bonus: $11,419,726
- Durham Smythe: $3,054,920 Signing Bonus $639,920
- Equanimeous St. Brown: $2,500,00 Signing Bonus $118,000
THE UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS
Most years it seems like you have to wait at least a few hours to start seeing the UDFA news start rolling in - but not this year. As soon as the draft was overthe signings started happening:
- Josh Adams to the Philadelphia Eagles
- Nyles Morgan to the Chicago Bears
- Andrew Trumbetti to the Chicago Bears
It’s a long walk from UDFA to making a roster, but at least these guys have a shot to live out their dreams.
ENJOY IT
The NFL Draft basically ends the college football cycle, and now we wait for fall camp. Before you start jonesing for MOAR FOOOTBALLL, try to enjoy the (somewhat” quiet over the next few weeks.
Our chronicles of the 2018 NFL Draft can be found in the storystream below, and if anything new pops up - I will make sure it gets in here as well.