The NFL draft came and gone, and, as we know by now, it was a pretty good one for Notre Dame. Here's a look at what those in NFL circles are saying about some of the drafted former Irish players and their new employers:
Mel Kiper Jr. gave the Cowboys a draft of B, but he said Martin can make the Dallas offensive line among the best units in the NFL. … Todd McShay lists Martin as one of his favorites picks. … ESPNDallas.com's Todd Archer says the pick of Martin was the Cowboys' best move of the draft… ESPNDallas.com's Calvin Watkins said the Cowboys went for the best player available. … ESPNDallas.com's Jean-Jacques Taylor says the Cowboys made the right move in passing on Johnny Manziel for Martin. … Archer says the Cowboys stayed Tony Romo-friendly by picking Martin. … Watkins says Martin may start at guard, but his future with the Cowboys is at right tackle.
Kiper gave the Steelers an A-, saying that Tuitt, at his 2012 level, can be a disruptive stud. … McShay lists Tuitt as one of his favorite picks, calling him a top-15 talent who is a great fit for Dick LeBeau. … Pittsburgh defensive line coach John Mitchell says Tuitt would've been a top-10 pick if he were healthy in 2013. … ESPN.com Steelers reporter Scott Brown says taking Tuitt in the second round was the club's best move. … Brown also says that Tuitt is part of a rookie group that will give the Steelers an immediate return.
In giving the Cardinals a draft grade of a B, Kiper says coach Bruce Arians might see some of what he loved about the Steelers' Heath Miller in Niklas. … ESPN.com Cardinals reporter Josh Weinfuss says Niklas solidified a tight end group that is the foundation of Arians' offense. … Weinfuss also says that Niklas is a long-term answer who will be a crucial blocker in the early going.
Kiper gave the Texans an A-, saying that Nix is a steal at No. 83 if he is in decent shape and that Houston's defensive front is now extremely versatile. … ESPN.com Texans reporter Tania Ganguli says Nix could start early. … Ganguli also says Nix had a good attitude about his draft slide.
Best of the rest
ESPN.com' Chargers reporter Eric D. Williams says Chris Watt fills a need and could be an answer at right guard. … ESPN.com Falcons reporter Vaughn McClure writes that Atlanta general manager Thomas Dimitroff stands behind Prince Shembo. … ESPN.com Giants reporter Dan Graziano says that Bennett Jackson is part of the franchise's character-driven plan. … ESPN.com Lions reporter Michael Rothstein says that T.J. Jones could end up being a surprise in the slot.