Liam Eichenberg A First-Round Pick In The Athletic’s Latest Mock Draft
In the eyes of draft analysts, Notre Dame’s string of first-round draft pick left tackles seems more likely than not to end this year.
A scan of most big boards and 2021 NFL mock drafts has three-year Irish starter Liam Eichenberg as an early day-two selection instead of a first-rounder. If that plays out, Brian Kelly would have a first-round pick at left tackle for, um, “only” eight of his 11 seasons at Notre Dame.
Not all momentum for pushing the streak to all 11 years is gone, though. The Athletic draft analyst Dane Brugler’s most recent mock draft had Eichenberg as the No. 30 pick to the Indianapolis Colts in a trade with the Buffalo Bills.
“Several of the Colts’ options at left tackle were scooped up before their pick at No. 21, but in this scenario they were able to move back, pick up extra draft picks and land a solid tackle option,” Brugler wrote. “Eichenberg has only average athletic traits, but his veteran awareness and strong hands help him win the point-of-attack.”
So far, 30th is among the boldest projections of Eichenberg’s draft range. NFL.com’s Chad Reuter slotted Eichenberg at No. 63 to the Kansas City Chiefs. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranked him as the No. 7 left tackle in the class.
Meanwhile, linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah continues to pop up as a top-20 selection. CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso and Josh Edwards pegged him at No. 15 to the New England Patriots and No. 18 to the Miami Dolphins, respectively. Brugler has him going 19th to the Detroit Lions in another trade.
“Owusu-Koramoah has the speed to mirror the run and create pressure as a blitzer while also giving Detroit a rangy cover man,” Brugler wrote.
Reuter and ESPN’s Todd McShay are the latest to mock Owusu-Koramoah to the Las Vegas Raiders with the 17th overall pick. Kiper ranks him as the No. 1 outside linebacker and No. 14 player in the class.
“Owusu-Koramoah gives the Raiders a little bit of everything and something they don't already have in that LB corps,” McShay wrote. “He can play off the ball in overhang, he can cover and he can rush the QB. This is a true value pick in the middle of the first round, and the Notre Dame game-breaker provides versatility to a defense that is begging for help."
Kiper’s position rankings also included former Irish players Tommy Tremble (No. 8 tight end), Aaron Banks (No. 4 guard), Robert Hainsey (No. 8 guard), Ade Ogundeji (No. 5 defensive end) and Daelin Hayes (No. 7 defensive end).
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