There were multiple NFL mock drafts that were released yesterday and to no one’s surprise two former Irish players will have their names selected early. We have seen other mock drafts with TE Cole Kmet and DE Julian Okwara in the first round but unfortunately for them, if these experts are correct, it will not be until the second round that they will see then don the hats of their next teams.
Starting off with Yahoo Sports Eric Edholm’s mock draft where he projects Kmet being selected 43rd overall by the Chicago Bears. Kmet would be the first tight end off the board and Edholm has some high praise for the former Irish star saying he “has fascinating upside and could be a very good red-zone target. His blocking needs refinement for sure, but the potential is there.” If Kmet is selected by the Bears, you could very well see him on the field early as there is a huge need there.
Just 5 picks later Edholm has DE Julian Okwara going 48th overall to the New York Jets. The Jets are in need of pass rushers, as they got a total of just 3 sacks out of their defensive end unit last year. If Okwara was to go to the Jets, he also would likely see early playing time.
Moving on to Jon Ledyard of the Pewter Report’s mock draft, once again no Irish in the first round and once again Kmet being the first Notre Dame player selected at 49th overall to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ledyard has Dayton’s Adam Troutman and Florida Atlantic’s Harrison Bryant as TE’s going off the board prior to Kmet and it seems he isn’t very high on Kmet explaining that “I don’t find Kmet’s game worth a Round 2 selection, his pedigree, size and versatile usage at Notre Dame will likely appeal to Kevin Colbert.”
Ledyard also had Okwara being selected in the second round, going to Seattle at the 59th overall pick. If selected by the Seahawks, Okwara wouldn’t likely see the field much, as the have Rasheem Green and Jadaveon Clowney as their starters with Ziggy Ansah at the position as well. Ledyard digs into the pick saying “Okwara sure looks and moves the part, and we know Seattle doesn’t care much about college production, so this is a match made in heaven.” Okwara would see some playing time, but in a back-up role which might suit him well.
Another mock draft was released yesterday as well, CBS Sports Ryan Wilson, this one not as deep and missing both Kmet and Okwara, just going over the first rounds picks. It seems more and more likely that these two former Irish stars will see their names called during the second day of the draft.