Atlanta Falcons select JD Bertrand in fifth round of 2024 NFL Draft

Notre Dame linebacker JD Bertrand was selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the No. 143 pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

In 2023, Bertrand made 75 tackles (40 solo), compiled 2.5 sacks and defended 4 passes. He also forced a fumble in Notre Dame’s win over Wake Forest. The linebacker was a two-time captain under head coach Marcus Freeman and led the defense in tackles in 2021, 2022, and 2023. He started 34 games for Notre Dame at the middle linebacker position after redshirting his first year.

Bertrand totaled 266 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 7 passes defended during his career for the Fighting Irish. He was also a finalist for the Wuerffel Trophy — college football’s top community service award — and the William V. Campbell Trophy, also known as the Academic Heisman.

Due to a plantar fascia injury, Bertrand was not able to participate in on-field drills at the NFL Scouting Combine. Even still, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. had the Notre Dame standout as a top 150 overall player in the draft. He was also Kiper’s No. 8 off-ball linebacker.

As a member of the Class of 2019, Bertrand was a four-star recruit out of Roswell (Ga.) Blessed Trinity Catholic High School, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 33 overall prospect in the state of Georgia and the No. 37 linebacker in the class. He also ranked as the No. 310 prospect in the nation.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about JD Bertrand

As far as what he’ll look like in the NFL, NFL.com‘s Lance Zierlein believes he has a future as a contributor.

“Team leader with above-average production who carries good lean mass on his frame,” Zierlein writes. “Bertrand’s stats are appealing, and he plays with a decent nose for the football, but his lack of speed and short-area quickness could be a major concern as teams project his ability to keep up with NFL skill players on the move.

“He needs to get much better at taking on or slipping blocks and finding a way to improve his angles and positioning to become a more consistent tackler. Bertrand could get a look on Day 3, but special teams might need to be his calling card.”