NFL Draft: Dane Brugler’s Take on Every Notre Dame Football Player

Dane Brugler spends 10 months annually on “The Beast,” his comprehensive guide to the NFL Draft.

This year, Brugler opted to give his exhaustive, 222-page tome away for no additional charge to subscribers of The Athletic.

Brugler, a veteran of both CBS Sports and NFL Draft Scout, offers background, Combine and Pro Day results, strengths, weaknesses and a summary of each of his top players. You should pay for the full analysis, but here’s a taste of what he said about each former Notre Dame Fighting Irish player:

ALEX BARS

Brugler’s 22nd best offensive guard. Projected round: Priority free agent

Final line of the summary: “Overall, Bars was draftable prior to his knee injury and is still worth a look in the later rounds if the medical reports are positive.”

JONATHAN BONNER

Brugler’s 74th best defensive lineman.

MILES BOYKIN

Brugler’s 12th best wide receiver and 82nd best player overall. Projected round: 3rd

Mock draft pick: #95 to the New York Giants

Final line of the summary: “Overall, Boykin doesn’t always play up to his measurables, but he is a premier athlete for his size with his best football in front of him (similar to Donte Moncrief as prospects), displaying the balance and body fluidity to develop into an NFL starter.”

NICK COLEMAN

Brugler’s 91st best safety.

TE’VON CONEY

Brugler’s sixth best linebacker and 89th best player overall. Projected round: 3rd

Mock draft pick: #102 to the Baltimore Ravens

Final line of the summary: “Overall, Coney lacks the fluid athleticism and cover instincts to be a rangy playmaker, but he is an assignment-sound run defender who projects as an early-down SAM linebacker in the NFL.”

JALEN GUYTON

Guyton redshirted in 2015 at Notre Dame before being suspended and playing at Trinity Valley Community College and then with the North Texas Mean Green.

Brugler’s 42nd best wide receiver. Projected round: Priority free agent

Final line of the summary: “Overall, Guyton is currently a better athlete than wide receiver, but his play speed and separation quickness are worth developing at the back end of a roster.”

JULIAN LOVE

Brugler’s seventh best cornerback and 50th best player overall. Projected round: 2nd

Mock draft pick: #66 to the Pittsburgh Steelers

Final line of the summary: “Overall, Love’s lack of ideal size, speed and suddenness will be tougher to mask vs. NFL receivers, but his velvet feet, intelligence and ball skills are the type of traits worth betting on, projecting best in the nickel.”

ALIZÈ MACK

Brugler’s 13th best tight end. Projected round: 5th or 6th

Final line of the summary: “Overall, Mack owns the athletic traits to develop into a mismatch weapon in the NFL, but there is a lot of unrealized potential with this player, both on and off the field.”

SAM MUSTIPHER

Brugler’s 17th best center.

TYLER NEWSOME

Brugler’s sixth best punter. Projected round: Priority free agent.

JERRY TILLERY

Brugler’s fifth best defensive lineman and 32nd best player overall. Projected round: 1st or 2nd

Mock draft pick: #21 to the Seattle Seahawks

Final line of the summary: “Overall, Tillery has a vast playmaking radius with length and athleticism, flashing NFL starter potential, but questions about inconsistent on-field play and dedication to his craft are why he wears a ‘buyer beware’ tag.”

DRUE TRANQUILL

Brugler’s 10th best linebacker. Projected round: 4th

Mock draft pick: #117 to the Atlanta Falcons

Final line of the summary: “Overall, Tranquill might not have the consistency of a three-down player, but he sets the tone and his football intelligence, trademark toughness and versatile athleticism will be an asset for an NFL team, projecting as a special teams ace and subpackage linebacker.”

NICK WATKINS

Watkins played his graduate season with the Houston Cougars.

Brugler’s 92nd best cornerback.

NIC WEISHAR

Brugler’s 52nd best tight end.

DEXTER WILLIAMS

Brugler’s ninth best running back. Projected round: 4th

Mock draft pick: #127 to the Philadelphia Eagles

Final line of the summary: “Overall, Williams hasn’t been the model of reliability over his career, but his turnaround and productive senior season give evaluators optimism because he has the natural talent to upgrade a team’s running back depth chart if he stays committed.”

JUSTIN YOON

Brugler’s sixth best kicker. Projected round: Priority free agent

Unmentioned: Justin Brent, Corey Holmes