Fighting Irish

Fighting Irish

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TJ Jones - WR - Fighting Irish

CBS Sports' Dane Brugler believes Notre Dame senior WR TJ Jones could emerge as a legitimate NFL prospect in 2013.

"Jones has excellent footwork in his routes and sets up his moves well, doing a nice job working back to the ball to give his quarterback a clean target," Brugler writes. "He fights for the ball and shows strong hands to come down with throws away from his body, making some tough catches look easy. Jones has an accurate sense of his surroundings with good shake after the catch to slither around defenders and explode upfield."
Source: CBS Sports
May 14 - 8:44 AM
Cierre Wood - RB - Fighting Irish

Texans signed Notre Dame RB Cierre Wood.

Wood was a rotational back throughout his career, tallying 2,447 yards and 16 touchdowns on 450 carries (5.44 YPC). He caught 52 passes. Wood ran a 4.56 forty with a 1.53 ten-yard split at the Combine, the latter time confirming his short-area burst. Wood runs frustratingly small for his size -- he'll dance in the backfield and is poor in short yardage -- but is creative and laterally elusive with quick feet. He's got an outside chance to develop into an NFL asset. Arian Foster's backup, Ben Tate, will be a free agent after this season.
Apr 27 - 10:10 PM
Zeke Motta - DB - Fighting Irish

Falcons selected Notre Dame S Zeke Motta with the No. 244 overall pick.

Motta (6-2, 213) played linebacker early in his career before converting to the secondary and making 29 starts, primarily as an "in the box" safety. He managed just two career tackles for loss and two interceptions, displaying poor ball skills. A Reed Doughty-type, Motta runs a 4.83 forty and has stiff hips. He'll probably max out as a special teamer and third safety for the Falcons.
Apr 27 - 7:14 PM
Kapron Lewis-Moore - DL - Fighting Irish

Ravens selected Notre Dame DE Kapron Lewis-Moore with the No. 200 overall pick.

Lewis-Moore (6-foot-4, 298) tore his right ACL in January's BCS title game loss to Alabama and may "redshirt" his first NFL season. He also may prove worth the wait. A highly active lineman, Lewis-Moore registered 22 career tackles for loss in South Bend, with 12 sacks and five forced fumbles. When healthy, he pushes the pocket and stuffs the run. It's another nice luxury pick for the constantly reloading Ravens.
Apr 27 - 5:19 PM
Theo Riddick - WR - Fighting Irish

Lions selected Notre Dame RB Theo Riddick with the No. 199 overall pick.

Riddick (5-10, 201) was the Irish's lead back in 2012, playing ahead of Cierre Wood as he rushed 190 times for 917 yards (4.83 YPC) and five scores. Riddick played receiver earlier in his career, compiling 120 catches for 1,263 yards (10.5 YPR) with eight receiving TDs. Riddick is a straight-linish, downhill runner with 4.68 wheels and some stiffness, despite his versatility. He's like a poor man's Dexter McCluster with less return value and lateral shake. He'll have to earn his roster spot in camp.
Apr 27 - 5:14 PM
Jamoris Slaughter - DB - Fighting Irish

Browns selected Notre Dame Jamoris Slaughter with the No. 175 overall pick.

Slaughter (6-foot, 195) was denied a sixth year of NCAA eligibility after missing nearly all of 2012 with torn Achilles' tendon. A safety/linebacker hybrid for the Irish, Slaughter made four career tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, and a forced fumble. He did 19 bench-press reps before the draft and projects as an NFL special teamer. Eventually, he'll try to find a niche as a hard-hitting free safety.
Apr 27 - 4:04 PM
Manti Te'o - LB - Fighting Irish

Chargers selected Notre Dame ILB Manti Te'o with the No. 38 overall pick.

The Chargers moved up to draft Te'o, sending the Nos. 45 and 110 picks to the Cardinals. Te'o (6-1, 241) racked up triple-digit tackles in each of his final three seasons, playing inside linebacker in Notre Dame's 3-4. His playmaking in pass coverage reached new heights as a senior with seven interceptions, although six came on tipped balls. Te'o managed a 4.82 forty at the Combine and isn't an explosive athlete, relying on instincts and "feel" to make plays. He struggles to shed blocks when left unprotected by defensive tackles, which most notably showed up in the BCS title game. In San Diego, Te'o will slot in as an immediate starter adjacent to Donald Butler.
Apr 26 - 7:04 PM
Tyler Eifert - TE - Fighting Irish

Bengals selected Notre Dame TE Tyler Eifert with the No. 21 overall pick.

It's an acknowledgement of disappointment in Jermaine Gresham, who has never lived up to his athletic billing coming out of college and was an absolute dog in the Bengals' playoff loss to Houston. Eifert (6-6, 250) caught 140 passes for 1,840 yards (13.1 YPR) and 11 touchdowns across three seasons for the Irish, demonstrating terrific hands and elite high-pointing ability on contested throws. He was a dangerous intermediate seam-stretcher as a freshman and sophomore before facing more double teams as a junior and learning to win 50:50 balls amid tight coverage. Also a willing blocker, Eifert sewed up a first-round draft slot with a 4.68 forty at the Combine and a 35.5-inch vertical, which both ranked in the top five at his position. He drew pre-draft comparisons to Todd Heap. Unfortunately due to his landing spot, Eifert is unlikely to make much fantasy noise as a rookie.
Apr 25 - 10:34 PM
Manti Te'o - LB - Fighting Irish

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport notes the Vikings and Bears love Notre Dame ILB Manti Te'o.

"If Minnesota wants to grab him, they'll need to jump up over Chicago," Rapoport tweeted. "That's what they plan to do." We are a bit surprised that Te'o is getting this much love in the top 20. Both teams like to run Cover 2, and Te'o's lack of great range could be an issue in that system.
Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter
Apr 25 - 11:43 AM
Tyler Eifert - TE - Fighting Irish

Jets beat writer Manish Mehta says the team likes TE Tyler Eifert, but not at pick No. 13.

The Jets appear to be shopping pick No. 13, possibly to the 49ers. With the team's first pick at No. 9, the Jets could go in a variety of different ways, including Tavon Austin or a pass rusher. We wouldn't be surprised if Eifert does end up being a top 15 selection.
Source: Manish Mehta on Twitter
Apr 25 - 10:53 AM
Tyler Eifert - TE - Fighting Irish

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport writes that NFL executives believe Notre Dame TE Tyler Eifert is a potential trade-up target for the Atlanta Falcons.

The Falcons have been rumored as potential movers in this year's draft, specifically moving up to select a highly-rated player. They will have a need at tight end following the upcoming season, as Tony Gonzalez is likely retiring. Eifert hasn't had any visits with the team or any other.
Source: NFL.com
Apr 24 - 3:22 PM
Manti Te'o - LB - Fighting Irish

Notre Dame LB Manti Te'o visited the San Diego Chargers.

"Teo will become the latest defender to arrive at the facility, joining a list that includes former Oregon inside linebacker Kiko Alonso, LSU defensive end Sam Montgomery and Washington State outside linebacker Travis Long, per sources," U-T San Diego's Michael Gehlken writes. The Chargers are in need of inside linebackers, so Te'o would make sense if he made it to their second-round draft choice.
Source: U-T San Diego
Apr 23 - 7:21 PM
Manti Te'o - LB - Fighting Irish

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora says the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings were "impressed" by Notre Dame LB Manti Te'o.

"The Bears and Vikings spent a lot of time with him and came away impressed," La Canfora writes. "He would be in play for the Ravens at No. 32 overall, sources said, but I don't see a scenario developing where they take him -- if they can get value moving up for a left tackle that's in play, receivers could make sense here and they like LSU inside linebacker Kevin Minter very much, too, though he has a second-round grade."
Source: CBS Sports
Apr 23 - 7:06 PM
Tyler Eifert - TE - Fighting Irish

Notre Dame TE Tyler Eifert did not have a single pre-draft visit during the process.

Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network notes Eifert is almost a "secretive prospect" and is so under-the-radar. Teams know about Eifert's talent and how clean he is off the field, so after meeting with him at the Combine there is little reason to spend one of the team's 30 visits on Eifert. There's a legitimate chance the tight end is selected in the top 15.
Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter
Apr 23 - 9:48 AM
Manti Te'o - LB - Fighting Irish

Former NFL scout believes the Ravens would be "elated" to have Notre Dame ILB Manti Te'o available at pick No. 32.

"There just aren't 32 better football players in this draft class who would push Te'o out of the first round," Jeremiah writes. "I believe the Baltimore Ravens would be elated if he fell to them at No. 32, but I don't see him falling that far down the board." The Vikings seem like a logical fit with one of their first-round picks.
Source: NFL.com
Apr 22 - 2:03 PM

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