Notre Dame In The NFL: Offseason Update
The NFL Draft and free agency are 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 some of the standout performances from the 2015 season from Notre Dame alumni.
Top Five Players
1. Harrison Smith— Regarded as one of the NFL’s hardest-hitting safeties, Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith upped his NFL reputation with another productive year in the NFC North. The fourth-year safety was even named the top player at his position by Pro Football Focus in 2015 after recording 66 tackles and two interceptions.
2. Tyler Eifert — The Cincinnati Bengals tight end again endured injury woes, but not to the extent of the 2014 elbow injury that wiped out his final 15 games. Few weeks went by without an Eifert touchdown. He caught 52 passes for 615 yards and 13 touchdowns for the division champions.
3. Zack Martin — Offensive linemen rarely get their deserved credit, but Martin continues to excel at right guard for the Cowboys. The team’s season went up in flames once quarterback Tony Romo suffered a season-ending injury, but Martin held up his responsibilities by allowing just one sack in 2015.
4. Michael Floyd — The Arizona Cardinals receiver had an up-and-down campaign, but still finished with 52 receptions for 849 yards and six touchdowns for a potent offense. He has yet to become the Pro Bowl caliber receiver that many expect, but he has still produced well in his four seasons with the organization.
5. Ryan Harris — There is not a clear candidate for the No. 5 position on this list, but Harris’ role should not be forgotten on the Super Bowl champions. The team brought him in last spring after injuries struck the Denver offensive line. He held down his role well with multiple changes at quarterback.
By The Numbers
6 Former Irish players selected in the first three rounds of the 2016 NFL Draft after only one Notre Dame player went in the entire 2015 edition. Notre Dame also achieved its first top-10 pick in 22 years, with left tackle Ronnie Stanley going sixth overall to the Baltimore Ravens
3 Players Pro Football Focus recognized in its list of the top 101 players last season. Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (No. 22), Dallas Cowboys right guard Zack Martin (No. 54) and Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert (No. 80) were honored
11 Ryan Harris and David Bruton winning the Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos marks the 11th time in 13 years that a Notre Dame alumnus has been on the championship-winning squad
16 Games played by San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Ian Williams in 2015 after suiting up for only 15 games in his first four seasons due to injury
5,500,000 Dollars the Carolina Panthers committed to long snapper J.J. Jansen when they signed him to a five-year contract extension this offseason
Roster Update
George Atkinson (2011-13) RB, Oakland Raiders
2015 season: Did not play in the 2015 season
Robert Blanton (2008-11) DB, Buffalo Bills
2015 season: 34 tackles and 3 pass breakups in 16 games (1 start) with the Minnesota Vikings
Chris Brown (2012-15) WR, Dallas Cowboys
Signed as an undrafted free agent following the NFL Draft
David Bruton (2005-08) S, Washington Redskins
2015 season: 49 tackles, 7 pass deflections, 2 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles in 13 games (3 starts) with the Denver Broncos
Amir Carlisle (2012-15) WR, Arizona Cardinals
Signed as an undrafted free agent following the NFL Draft
Jimmy Clausen (2007-09) QB, Baltimore Ravens
2015 season: Completed 72 of 125 passes for 739 yards, 2 touchdowns and 4 interceptions in 4 games (3 starts) this season
Sheldon Day (2012-15) DL, Jacksonville Jaguars
Selected in the 4th round (No. 103 overall) in the NFL Draft
Tyler Eifert (2009-12) TE, Cincinnati Bengals
2015 season: 52 receptions for 615 yards and 13 touchdowns in 13 games (12 starts)
Matthias Farley (2011-15) DB, Arizona Cardinals
Signed as an undrafted free agent following the NFL Draft
Anthony Fasano (2002-05) TE, Tennessee Titans
2015 season: 26 receptions for 289 yards and 2 touchdowns in 16 games (11 starts)
Michael Floyd (2008-11) WR, Arizona Cardinals
2015 season: 52 receptions for 849 yards and 6 touchdowns in 15 games (6 starts)
Will Fuller (2013-15) WR, Houston Texans
Selected in the 1st round (No. 21 overall) in the NFL Draft
Jarrett Grace (2011-13) LB, Chicago Bears
Signed with the organization after trying out for them this month.
Jonas Gray (2008-11) RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
2015 season: 45 rushes for 176 yards and 7 receptions for 76 yards in 8 games
Ryan Harris (2003-06) OT, Pittsburgh Steelers
2015 season: 16 starts with the Denver Broncos
Robert Hughes (2003-07) RB, Arizona Cardinals
2015 season: Did not play with the Arizona Cardinals
Bennett Jackson (2010-13) DB, New York Giants
2015 season: Injured reserve
J.J. Jansen (2004-07) LS, Carolina Panthers
2015 season: 16 games at long snapper
TJ Jones (2010-13) WR, Detroit Lions
2015 season: 10 receptions for 132 yards and 1 touchdown and 1 carry for -3 yards in 10 games
Ben Koyack (2011-14) TE, Jacksonville Jaguars
2015 season: Practice squad
Kapron Lewis-Moore (2008-12) DE, Baltimore Ravens
2015 season: 3 tackles in 5 games
Nick Martin (2011-15) OL, Houston Texans
Selected in the 2nd round (No. 50 overall) in the NFL Draft
Zack Martin (2009-13) OL, Dallas Cowboys
2015 season: 16 starts at right guard
Troy Niklas (2011-13) TE, Arizona Cardinals
2015 season: 4 receptions for 33 yards and 2 touchdowns in 16 games (3 starts)
Louis Nix (2010-13) DL, New York Giants
2015 season: Did not record a stat in 4 games
Romeo Okwara (2012-15) DE, New York Giants
Signed as an undrafted free agent following the NFL Draft
C.J. Prosise (2012-15) RB, Seattle Seahawks
Selected in the 3rd round (No. 90 overall) in the NFL Draft
Theo Riddick (2009-12) RB, Detroit Lions
2015 season: 43 carries for 133 yards and 80 receptions for 697 yards, 3 receiving touchdowns and 1 lost fumble in 16 games (1 start)
Cody Riggs (2014) CB, Tennessee Titans
2015 season: 14 tackles, 1 pass deflection and 2 forced fumbles in 11 games
Trevor Robinson (2008-11) OL, San Diego Chargers
2015 season: Played in 16 games (13 starts)
Kyle Rudolph (2008-10) TE, Minnesota Vikings
2015 season: 49 receptions for 495 yards and 5 touchdowns in 16 games (16 starts)
KeiVarae Russell (2012-15) CB, Kansas City Chiefs
Selected in the 3rd round (No. 74 overall) in the NFL Draft
Kona Schwenke (2010-13) OL/DL, Seattle Seahawks
2015 season: Injured reserve
Elijah Shumate (2012-15) S, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Signed as an undrafted free agent following the NFL Draft
Harrison Smith (2007-11) S, Minnesota Vikings
2015 season: 66 tackles, 2 interceptions, 3 pass deflections and 1 forced fumble in 13 games (13 starts)
Jaylon Smith (2013-15) LB, Dallas Cowboys
Selected in the 2nd round (No. 34 overall) in the NFL Draft
Ronnie Stanley (2012-15) OT, Baltimore Ravens
Selected in the 1st round (No. 6 overall) in the NFL Draft
John Sullivan (2003-07) C, Minnesota Vikings
2015 season: Injured reserve
Golden Tate (2007-09) WR, Detroit Lions
2015 season: 90 receptions for 813 yards and 6 touchdowns in 16 games (16 starts)
Manti Te’o (2009-12) LB, San Diego Chargers
2015 season: 74 tackles, 1 interception and 2 pass deflections in 11 games (11 starts)
Stephon Tuitt (2011-13) DE, Pittsburgh Steelers
2015 season: 54 tackles, 1 interception and 6.5 sacks in 13 games (13 starts)
Darrin Walls (2006-10) CB, Detroit Lions
2015 season: 10 tackles and 2 passes deflected in 13 games with the New York Jets
Chris Watt (2009-13) OL, San Diego Chargers
2015 season: 5 games (3 starts)
Ian Williams (2007-10) DT, San Francisco 49ers
2015 season: 65 tackles, 1 sack, 1 pass deflection and 1 fumble in 16 games (16 starts)
Ishaq Williams (2011-14) DE, New York Giants
Invited to work out with the New York Giants
Sam Young (2006-09) OT, Jacksonville Jaguars
2015 season: 16 games (3 starts)