Using ESPN’s Draft Tracker Grading Scale* Talking Irish
quick hits the Notre Dame Draft prospects.
Braxton
Cave 70 Solid Prospect. Cave was a
cornerstone of the Irish Offensive Line and was instrumental in not only
developing a young Golson but was able to work with multiple quarterbacks over
the past couple of year. Good size and
technique and very good strength, and he should be a good pick up for any team
looking to add depth at the center position.
Jordan
Cowart 69 Good Prospect. I know
Cowart is not a big name in Irish football lore and has had very minimal game
time but as a long snapping specialist he did very well. Recruiting individuals and giving them scholarships
for just long snapping is still new and unusual. Drafting and signing players
for long snapping is a little rare too.
Tyler
Eifert 93 Rare Prospect. If Eifert
is not the best Tight End in the draft he is only a hair behind in the number
two position. Every Irish fan knows how
much he has meant to the Notre Dame Offense in the past couple of seasons. I would like to see him add a few more pounds
of muscle and I would have loved to have had him stay one more year (as he had
another year of eligibility left).
Michael
Golic 21 Borderline Prospect. Golic
has an outstanding football bloodline that may get him a look that otherwise
may not happen. Golic had time where he
stepped up and played solid for the Irish and at other times he looked lost out
there.
John
Goodman 15 Free Agent Prospect. Goodman never lived up to the hype he came
to South Bend with. He did step up to a
solid leadership role for the receiver corps his last season and could end up
on a practice squad.
Kapron
Lewis-Moore 55 Adequate Prospect. Lewis-Moore can in as an outside
linebacker and left as a starting defensive end. Hampered by injuries Moore could have done
even more if he did not miss so much time.
Zeke
Motta 49 Borderline Prospect. Motta showed
leadership in the defensive backfield for the Irish and would be a solid
addition to an NFL organization.
Theo
Riddick 65 Good Prospect. Riddick is a dynamic talent that can run and
catch the ball making him a useful tool to an NFL offense. After flip flopping between running back and
receiver during his Irish career he proved his worth in the backfield AND the
slot.
Jamoris
Slaughter 49 Borderline Prospect.
Recently being denied a sixth year of eligibility after numerous
injuries Slaughter still should be ready to give it a try at the next level. NFL
teams may want to see more of him in a preseason camp before making a
commitment.
Manti Te’o
97 Rare Prospect. Te’o will go down as
an all-time great in the Notre Dame Football history books if not all-time college
football great. His online girlfriend debacle
may be a little cause for concern for some teams but I doubt it, easy early to mid-first
round.
Roby
Toma 15 Free Agent Prospect. Only
Toma’s gritty play last season kept him from being listed as "Not a
legitimate Prospect". His best shot
making a practice squad.
Cierre
Wood 50 Adequate Prospect. Between
sharing carries with Riddick and early season suspension Wood could have
improved his draft stock coming back for another year (he had another year of
eligibility) being the solid number one back.
*Grading Scale
90-100 Rare Prospect Player demonstrates rare
abilities and can create mismatches that have an obvious impact on the game. Is
a premier college player that has all the skill to take over a game and play at
a championship level. He rates in the top 5 players in the nation at his
position and is considered a first round draft prospect.
80-89 Outstanding Prospect Player has abilities to
create mismatches versus most opponents in the NFL. A feature player that has
an impact on the outcome of the game. Cannot be shut down by a single player
and plays on a consistent level week in and week out. He rates in the top 10 at
his position and is considered a second round draft prospect.
70-79 Solid Prospect Still a standout player at the
college level that is close to being an elite player. He has no glaring
weaknesses and will usually win his individual matchups, but does not dominate
in every game, especially when matched up against the top players in the
country. He will usually rate in the top third of players at his position and
is considered a third round draft prospect.
60-69 Good Prospect This player is an good starter
that will give a solid effort week in and week out, but he is overmatched
versus the better players in the nation. His weaknesses will be exposed against
top competition. He is usually a prospect that is missing something from his
game. For example, he has the size and skills to be an outstanding prospect,
but lacks the speed. He will usually rate in the top half of the players at his
position and is considered a middle round draft choice.
50-59 Adequate Prospect These are usually players
that play at a high level in college, but lack some measurables or skills to
play at that same level in the NFL. He may be a player that has a lot of
developmental qualities, or could be a player that will contribute right away
on special teams or in a situational capacity. He will usually rate in the
second-third at his position and is considered a fifth round draft choice.
21-49 Borderline Draft Prospect These are players
that teams like something about, but certainly do not have the full package in
terms of NFL talent. A lot of times, teams will take chances on character
players or developmental type athletes with this grade. And often, these are
players that come from smaller schools or did not standout at the college
level. NFL teams are looking for 'diamonds in the rough' with this type of
prospect. He will usually rate in the bottom third of players at his position
and will be considered a late round draft choice or un-drafted free agent.
20 Free Agent Prospect These are players that did not
make our original 'evaluation list' but are prospects that need to be
monitored. Especially in the pre-season, these players will fluctuate up and
down depending on performance in their final year of eligibility.
10 Not a legitimate Prospect These are players that lack NFL measurable
and/or skills. They are players that we feel would not even make a solid
contribution as a training camp
