Buccaneers: Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2018 draft prospects to watch

As we continue on previewing potential Buccaneers draft prospects, we take a look at the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish finished their 2017 campaign with a 10-3 record and defeating the LSU Tigers in the Citrus Bowl 21-17. Head coach Brian Kelly has had his struggles to get over the hump, but the Irish are a team that every opponent has to circle on the schedule – and take very seriously. As far as the draft is concerned, there are some potential targets for the Buccaneers – including one in the first round.

Here are the former Notre Dame players that will be draft eligible come April;

Seniors

Quarterback – Montgomery VanGorder

Linebacker – Nyles Morgan

Cornerback – Nick Watkins

Wide Receiver – Keenan Centlivre

Underclassmen:

Running Back – Josh Adams

Wide Receiver – Equanimeous St. Brown

Senior To Watch: Guard – Quenton Nelson

It’s no secret the Buccaneers desperately need help along the offensive and defensive lines. Should Bradley Chubb be gone, as many suspect he will be, Nelson could be an easy choice for the Bucs at number seven. We’ve seen him mocked to the Bucs numerous times already because it makes sense. You don’t want to spend a top ten pick on a running back when he has no line to run behind, regardless of how great Saquon Barkley has been. The combination of someone like Nelson and Sony Michel is far greater than the combination of Barkley and whatever guard you would take in the second round.

It’s about positional value and the value at running back is much deeper than that of the offensive linemen in this draft.

And let’s not forget that Jameis Winston missed games for the first time in his professional career due to injury because the offensive line couldn’t protect him. The games are won in the trenches and the Buccaneers have to address both of theirs.

SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 28: Josh Adams of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish scores a touchdown in the third quarter against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Notre Dame Stadium on October 28, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Underclassman To Watch: Running Back – Josh Adams

Josh Adams finished the 2017 season with 1,430 rushing yards on 206 attempts (a 6.9 yards per carry average) and 101 receiving yards on thirteen receptions. Add to that nine rushing touchdowns and you have yourself a pretty effective running back in both the run and pass games. Adams is currently projected to be drafted anywhere from the third to fifth round, so another day two/three back that can immediately come in and be a difference maker. Should the Buccaneers miss out on backs like Sony Michel or Nick Chubb early in round two, they can sit and wait for Adams later on while addressing other needs first.

Luke Easterling of the Draft Wire currently has Adams ranked as his number ten running back in the class, just ahead of Alabama’s Bo Scarbrough. Even at 6’2″ and 225 lbs., Adams has game breaking speed and proves to be a difference maker, no matter where the offense is on the field.

The big question surrounding Adams is the health and strength of the knee. Having already suffered a torn ACL, teams may be a little trepidatious. He didn’t have any issues while at Notre Dame, but that doesn’t mean NFL teams will be any more confident that issues won’t linger into his professional career.

Next: Penn State Nittany Lions 2018 Draft Prospects

Could the Buccaneers fill two major needs from one college? It’s quite possible. The combination of Quenton Nelson and Josh Adams should have Bucs fans dancing in the street with excitement.

Home/Bucs Draft