Notre Dame’s First Round Draft Picks Since 2000

Since the year 2000 Notre Dame has had 11 players taken in the first round of the NFL Draft and they weren’t all recruited to Notre Dame by him but all but two of those players played under Brian Kelly. 

It’s insane to see the talent-level improve as this list goes on.  It makes you wonder yet again what the heck was actually happening during the Davie, Willingham and some of the Weis years.

Quenton Nelson, Offensive Guard- 6th overall to Indianapolis Colts, 2018

 Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

In the history of the NFL Draft no offensive guard has been taken earlier than Quenton Nelson was by the Indianapolis Colts in 2018.  Nelson’s collegiate highlight tape will forever be one of my favorite to watch but we’ll get into that at some other time.  Nelson was drafted by a team who had talent at skill positions but what was seen as a brutal offensive line for years.

In his first year Nelson helped changed the entire attitude of the offensive line room in Indianpolis and quickly turned into as much of a star as on offensive guard can be.  He may not be quite on Zack Martin’s level (because nobody is) but he’s been great with Indianpolis, earning All-Pro status in both of his first two seasons.

Next:  Don’t Blink, Next Pick Comes Quick