What Dane Brugler's 2022 NFL Draft guide says about top Notre Dame prospects

NFL Draft geeks anticipate the release of “The Beast” every year.

The Athletic analyst Dane Brugler’s annual draft guide that approaches 300 pages with breakdowns on nearly 400 prospects comes out every April. The 2022 version, which he said is his most extensive one yet, was released Thursday. Its detail and thoroughness are second to none.

Notre Dame’s draft prospects are featured throughout, from a potential top-10 pick to players who will likely settle for rookie minicamp tryouts. Here are some snippets of what Brugler wrote about the three Notre Dame players he graded highest – safety Kyle Hamilton, running back Kyren Williams and wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr.

PROMOTION: Sign up for just $1 for first year at Blue & Gold

Notre Dame NFL Draft links:

• 2022 NFL Scouting Combine: Full results for five Notre Dame football participants

• Notre Dame football 2022 Pro Day results

Safety Kyle Hamilton

Brugler’s Ranking: (No. 1 safety, No. 6 overall player)

Draft grade: first round

Summary: “Hamilton is a long, super-sized safety who has the explosive range, smarts and toughness to be deployed anywhere on the football field. He anticipates well vs. both the pass and the run and shows the ball skills and tackling balance to be a consistent finisher.

“Overall, Hamilton frustrates quarterbacks with all the ways he impacts the game and will need an NFL defensive scheme that understands how to maximize his versatile talent. A mash-up of Isaiah Simmons and Justin Simmons, he has the potential to be a diverse matchup weapon in the NFL due to his rare combination of physical traits and natural football instincts.”

Running back Kyren Williams

Brugler’s ranking: No. 8 running back

Draft grade: fourth or fifth round

Summary: “Williams earned the starting role the past two seasons in offensive coordinator Tommy Rees’ zone-based scheme. He was a slot receiver before he was a running back in high school and proved himself as an all-purpose weapon for the Irish (was the only FBS player in 2021 to surpass 1,000 yards rushing, 350 yards receiving and 100 yards as a return man).

“Williams is highly effective on counters and cutbacks with the plant-and-go quickness to make strong cuts in any direction. He has limited inside power, but is a problem-solving runner thanks to his sharp footwork and blend of patience and decisiveness.

“Overall, Williams is an average athlete and ideally projects as more of a complimentary back in the NFL, but he is an elite competitor with the darting quickness and pass-catching skills to be a third-down weapon. He shows some similarities to New England Patriots RB James White.”

Wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr.

Brugler’s ranking: No. 21 wide receiver

Draft grade: fifth round

“A one-year starter at Notre Dame, Austin lined up primarily outside in Rees’ scheme, seeing some snaps in the slot. Highly recruited out of South Florida, his career was sidetracked by suspension and injuries, but his talent was evident on 2021 tape, as he led the Irish in receiving.

“A well-built athlete, Austin was a chain-moving machine when he was on the field, with 81.5 percent of his career catches resulting in a first down or touchdown. He is a physical route runner and gives his quarterback a good-sized catch radius, but he will need to pay closer attention to the details of the position to take the next step in his development.

“Overall, Austin is stamped with a buyer-beware label from scouts because of his injuries and past mistakes, but he is a talented pass catcher with outstanding testing athleticism who has yet to play his best football. At a certain point in the draft, his upside will be worth the risk.”

When Notre Dame players will be drafted

Hamilton, Austin, Williams and the seven other Notre Dame prospects this year will learn their draft fate April 28-30 in Las Vegas. The first round is Thursday, followed by the second and third rounds on Friday and the fourth through seventh on Saturday.