NFL DRAFT 2020: No Notre Dame players went in the 1st round — so what’s next?

The first round of the 2020 NFL Draft is in the books, and no Notre Dame Fighting Irish football players had their name called by Commissioner Roger Goodell. This was widely predicted throughout the industry, with one exception being the possibility of Cole Kmet being picked up late in the first.

Two hot spots for Kmet were to the Patriots or to the Packers. The Patriots traded their #23 spot to the Chargers and the Packers moved up to #26 to take Jordan Love. The Packers basically Aaron Rodgered Aaron Rodgers.

So now it’s on to Day 2 and rounds 2 and 3.

Friday will most likely be a huge day for Irish players. There are five that could have their names called over the two round shift (in order of predicted draft spot):

• Cole Kmet, TE
• Chase Claypool, WR
• Julian Okwara, EDGE
• Troy Pride Jr., CB
• Khalid Kareem, DE

There were no tight ends selected in the first round, so Kmet’s name is one we will probably hear very quickly.

There are still a lot of teams in need of WR help and with six of them selected on Thursday night, Claypool’s name is moving up the draft boards and it’s fair to think he will get picked in the second round.

Only two DE/EDGE players were selected in the first round, and with other players still out there — my money is on Okwara and Kareem both being 3rd round picks.

There were six cornerbacks selected in the first round, so Pride’s turn is coming. With a lot of good quality safeties still undrafted — teams in need of defensive back help may go that route in the second round. I think Pride ends up late in the third.