Irish In The NFL: 2016 Lookahead

The NFL Draft and free agency is over, and OTAs are going on across the league. In two short months, training camps will be starting and then the regular season will be right around the corner.

Blue & Gold Illustrated takes a look at former Irish players and the upcoming NFL season.

Robert Blanton

Defensive back Robert Blanton (2008-11) is with the Buffalo Bills after four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.

“That's what I'm going in there to do," Blanton told reporters. "Come into work every day, do my job, and I feel like I can be the best. I feel like I'm the best guy for the job. So I just have to come in and be Robert Blanton - do my job - and the rest will take care of itself.”

The move will allow Blanton to compete for a starting position in 2016. With the Vikings, Blanton started 17 of his 60 career games. Thirteen of those came in 2013.

David Bruton

Shortly after safety David Bruton (2005-08) became a Super Bowl champion with the Denver Broncos in February, he signed a three-year deal with the Washington Redskins.

The part-time defensive back and special teams specialist earned a captaincy during his time with the Broncos because of his leadership skills and the Redskins hope he will enhance their locker room.

Bruton recorded 49 tackles and two forced fumbles during the 2015 regular season.

Ryan Harris

Bruton’s Denver teammate, former Irish offensive tackle and four-year starter Ryan Harris, also departed the organization following the Super Bowl win to join the Pittsburgh Steelers. He inked a two-year, $3.9-million deal.

Bruton and Harris returned to Notre Dame for the Blue-Gold Game on April 16.

Theo Riddick, RB, Detroit Lions — In 2015, Riddick grabbed a significant amount of national attention with 80 receptions out of the backfield for 697 yards and three touchdowns. He only rushed the ball 43 times, but that number could grow in 2016, especially with starting running back Ameer Abdullah’s status in question after labrum surgery.

Riddick can be viewed as a sort of niche player as a professional, but there is still room for him to grow his game before hitting free agency next year.

Stephon Tuitt, DE, Pittsburgh Steelers — Tuitt is entering his third season in the NFL and shown signs in 2015 that he is ready to emerge as a prolific pass rusher in the league.

His sack total increased from 1.0 to 6.5 last fall, and that was even after missing two games due to injury.

Pittsburgh boasted one of the league’s top offenses by most measures in 2015, but the defense could decide just how close to the Super Bowl the Steelers come. Tuitt will have a big say in that effort.

Manti Te’o, LB, San Diego Chargers — The former Butkus Award winner has missed 13 games in three seasons due to injury with the Chargers, a surprise for a player that never missed a down while in South Bend.

When he has been on the field, however, Te’o has received praise from coaches and teammates alike and has progressively grown more comfortable with the professional game.

He recorded a career-high 83 tackles in 2015 and would likely reach 100 as the centerpiece of San Diego’s defense if his health allows it.

Nov. 20, 1 p.m., Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings

As far as quantity goes, this will likely be the matchup with the most former Notre Dame players featured.

Currently, the Minnesota Vikings employ tight end Kyle Rudolph, center John Sullivan and safety Harrison Smith, while the Cardinals also boast a boatload of Irish talent in receiver Michael Floyd, running back Robert Hughes, tight end Troy Niklas and undrafted free agents Matthias Farley and Amir Carlisle.

Sept. 18, 1 p.m., Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Texans

The paths of Houston Texans receiver Will Fuller and Kansas City Chiefs cornerback KeiVarae Russell will cross in Week 2 of their rookie campaigns.

Considering the playmaking nature of Fuller and the confidence of Russell, fans can only hope that the two are featured in a few one-on-one battles that afternoon.

Russell even noted the meeting with Fuller on social media after he was drafted in the third round by Kansas City, so clearly the date is circled on his calendar.

Texans rookie center Nick Martin will also be in this game, but not with the compelling Notre Dame matchup that Fuller and Russell will enjoy.

Nov. 6, 1 p.m., Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings

These teams will meet twice in 2016 as divisional foes, with the first matchup coming in the twin cities in early November.

The three Vikings that came from Notre Dame will be pitted against receivers TJ Jones and Golden Tate, running back Theo Riddick and cornerback Darrin Walls.

Vikings safety Harrison Smith is considered by analytics as well as the opinions of NFL players to be one of the best, if not the best, NFL safeties. That talent will be challenged by Tate and a pass-happy Lions offense.