Notre Dame's NFL Footprint - Part 5

Over the first four parts of this article series, we’ve examined the NFL careers of 41 recent Notre Dame alumni active in the NFL, across the 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018 draft classes. In this piece, we'll cover 5 more alums from the 2016, 2014, 2012, and 2008 draft classes and see where they've ended up.

Photo via Notre Dame Athletics

2016 Draft Class

Ronnie Stanley - Baltimore Ravens - OT - 2016 - Round 01: Pick 006

Ronnie Stanley was the most sought-after offensive tackle in the 2016 draft and was quickly scooped up in the 1st round with the 6th overall pick by the Baltimore Ravens. The top 10 spot earned him a completely guaranteed 4-year $20.48 million contract with a $13.09 million signing bonus. Stanley was named the starting left tackle by head coach John Harbaugh and played the first three games of the 2016 season before sustaining a foot injury. It sidelined him for 4 games, but he was still able to appear in 12 games and 833 snaps. His rookie year was both impressive and an adjustment. He was responsible for six penalties, gave up three sacks, and allowed 22 quarterback hurries. Despite this, Pro Football Focus named him the 17th-best tackle in the NFL and gave him the 3rd-highest grade among rookie offensive tackles.

2017 looked a lot like his rookie year, as Stanley began the season as the starting left tackle, but once again suffered an injury, this time a concussion against the Titans in week nine. Thankfully, he was only sidelined for a game and finished the season with 15 appearances and over 1000 snaps. Unlike his first season, Stanley halved his penalties, but once again surrendered 3 sacks and 23 quarterback hurries. It was enough to move him up to the 13th-best left tackle in the NFL, but his PFF grade declined slightly.

The paragon of consistency, Stanley appeared in another 15 games with over 1000 snaps in 2018, only missing a single game with an ankle injury. His consistency and performance over his first 3 years led to the Ravens picking up his 5-year rookie option for 2019. It’s a good thing they did, as Stanley showed out and appeared in 14 games with only four penalties allowed. He was named to his first All-Pro team and earned a spot in the Pro Bowl. Stanley’s performance blocking for Lamar Jackson and Mark Ingram led PFF to name Stanley “the best pass-blocking tackle in the NFL.“ This stellar season came at the right time and earned Stanley a new 5-year contract worth $112.8 million, officially making him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the league. Unfortunately, Stanley sustained a serious ankle injury in Baltimore’s week 8 game, ending his season prematurely. He only appeared in 6 games for the Ravens in 2020. 

Unlike his previous injuries, this one was ugly. Stanley underwent multiple surgeries and several stints in rehabilitation to get back on the field and was only able to appear in one game in 2021. Despite missing roughly a season and a half, Stanley made his way back onto the field for the Ravens in 2022. He finished the season with 11 games played and just over 600 snaps, along with a playoff appearance in the Ravens' loss to the Bengals. It was a slow and steady climb back to his previous form, but Stanley managed to appear in 13 games and over 700 snaps for the Ravens in 2023. He did this while battling a knee injury that kept him out for four weeks. While not quite an entire season, it was Stanley's most appearances since his Pro Bowl 2019 season, and he appeared in both of Baltimore‘s postseason games. Stanley’s dedication and perseverance paid off, and he hit a career-high 17/17 games played and 1089 snaps in 2024. He helped the Ravens reach the wildcard round, where they beat the Steelers 28–14, but ultimately lost a nail-biter to the Bills 25–27. Stanley had an excellent start to his career but struggled with injuries for quite a while. Thankfully, he worked to reach his best possible form this past season and looks to continue in 2025.

Sheldon Day - Washington Commanders - DT - 2016 - Round 04: Pick 103

Sheldon Day was picked by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 4th round of the 2016 NFL draft with the 103rd overall pick. He spent his first 2 seasons with the Jaguars, playing 16 games in 2016 and only 6 in 2017. By the end of his time in Jacksonville, Day had only played 126 snaps. After those six games in  2017, the Jaguars waived Day before he was claimed off waivers by the 49ers. He quickly worked his way into the defensive line rotation and played another 6 games of 2017 in San Francisco. Day was lucky enough to be a part of the Super Bowl LIV 49ers team, but unfortunately lost 20-31. They went on to play in San Francisco for two more years. He put up 11 tackles and two sacks over 12 games in 2018 and 15 tackles and 1 sack over 16 games in 2019. Although his production wasn’t remarkably high, he’d made double-digit appearances in his first four years in the league despite being on two different teams. Following the 2019 season, Day signed a 1-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts. Unfortunately, he battled injuries and only appeared in four games for Indianapolis. With so little time to make an impact, his statistics were nothing to brag about, and the Colts waived him in mid-November of 2020. 

Sheldon made his way onto the Cleveland Browns' practice squad shortly after his release from the Colts and managed to play in 7 games over 2021. His production increased, and he finished the season with a career high 21 tackles and 1 sack. Unfortunately, Day was unable to play at all during the 2022 season due to a back injury, but he was able to sign on with the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad. He was eventually signed to the active duty roster in late November and appeared in six games for the Vikings in 2023. It was an off year for Day, primarily due to ramping back up from injury and a deep Minnesota defensive line limiting his opportunities. Day moved on to his 6th NFL team in 8 years, signing with the Washington Commanders’ practice squad in the summer of 2024. He was called up to active duty on October 16 and went on to play 12 games for the Commanders, collecting a career-high 24 tackles. Day is one of only two remaining Notre Dame alumni from the 2016 NFL draft class still active in the NFL. While his journey thus far hasn’t necessarily been traditional, he’s more than displayed his ability to adapt to new situations and circumstances, and still find a way to steal sizable playing time. The Commanders offered Sheldon a 1-year contract to return to Washington. Currently, Day is listed as the 3rd string RDT and looks to make another respectable contribution in the 2025 season.

2014 Draft Class

Zack Martin - Dallas Cowboys - OG - 2014 - Round 01: Pick 016

Zack Martin was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1st round of the 2014 NFL draft with the 16th overall pick. Martin made his impact quickly, being named the starting right guard on the first day of preseason camp, beating out a 2 year starter. In his very first year, Martin played in and started all 16 games for the Cowboys and became one of only four rookies named to the 2014 Pro Bowl. The Cowboys went 12-4 in his first season and made the playoffs. They beat the Lions 24-20 in the wildcard round, but lost to the Packers the next game 21-26. He was also the only rookie to earn All-Pro honors in 2014. From 2015–2017, Martin would start and play all 16 games and over 1000 snaps for the Cowboys, and earned both Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors each season. He helped take the Cowboys to the playoffs on the back of a 13-3 record, but once again lost to the Packers 31–34. 

Just before the start of the 2018 season, Martin and the Cowboys agreed to a 6-year, $84 million contract that made him the highest-paid guard in the entire league. 2018 would be the first time Martin missed a single game in his career, going down with a knee injury that kept him out for 2 games. Regardless, he was still selected to both the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro team for the 5th time in 5 years.  2018 was the third time in Martin’s tenure that the Cowboys made it to the playoffs, this time on the back of a 10-6 season. They beat the Seahawks in a close 24-22 win in the wildcard round, but lost the following game to the Rams 22–30.

2019 saw Martin return to full form, playing in and starting all 16 games with over 1000 snaps. He again earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors while becoming one of only five offensive linemen to make it to the Pro Bowl in all six of their first six seasons. Due to injuries, Martin made his first NFL start at right tackle in week 11 of 2020, but suffered a calf strain that sidelined him for six games. It was the first time in his 7-year career that Martin had played less than 14 games for Dallas. 

Martin was ruled out of the 2021 season opener after testing positive for COVID-19, but thankfully, it would be the only game he missed all year. He appeared in the remaining 16 games for Dallas and recorded another 1000+ snaps from scrimmage. The Cowboys finished 12-5 and earned their fourth postseason appearance in Martin’s career, but unfortunately fell to the 49ers 17–23 in the wildcard round.

2022 would be Martin’s best statistical year, starting and playing in all 17 games while posting a career high 1,143 snaps, only 1 penalty, and didn’t allow a single sack all season. It earned him All-Pro honors again and another Pro Bowl selection. Thankfully, the Cowboys made it back to the playoffs on the back of a 12-5 record, where they beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-14 in the wildcard round but eventually lost to the 49ers 12-19. Martin suffered another ankle injury early in the 2023 season and only missed two games, appearing in 15 total with 908 snaps. The Cowboys made it to the playoffs once again, but were bounced by the Packers in the wildcard round, 32–48.

2024 was a difficult season for both the Cowboys and Martin. The 11th-year starter played 10 games for the Cowboys before undergoing season-ending ankle surgery. The Cowboys went 7–10 and missed the playoffs before Martin officially announced his retirement on February 20, 2025. After 11 seasons as one of the most decorated and talented offensive linemen, Martin was named an All-Pro 8 times, was selected for the Pro Bowl 9 times, and helped the Cowboys make the playoffs 6 times. Martin was the final remaining Notre Dame alumnus from the 2014 draft class.

2012 Draft Class

Harrison Smith - Minnesota Vikings - S - 2012 - Round 01: Pick 029

Smith was drafted in the first round of the 2012 draft, going 29th to the Minnesota Vikings, and signed a 4-year, $7.13 million rookie contract. He entered training camp in competition with two other safeties but beat out both NFL vets to win the starting job. He went on to start all 16 of Minnesota’s games in 2012 and put up an impressive 104 tackles along with 3 interceptions, 2 of which he took back for touchdowns. The Vikings earned a spot in the playoffs but didn’t make it past their first game. His first-year performance was enough to earn him an all-rookie team spot and cemented his role as both the starting safety and the anchor of the Vikings’ secondary. Smith started his sophomore season on a similar trajectory but sustained a foot injury that sidelined him for 8 games. By the end of the season, Smith only played in 8 games but still managed to rack up 58 tackles and another 2 interceptions. The Vikings brought in new head coach Mike Zimmer for the 2014 season, and Smith once again started all 16 games for Minnesota. In one of his most productive seasons, Smith finished his 3rd year with 93 tackles, 3 sacks, 5 interceptions, 1 of which he returned for a score.

Minnesota picked up Smith’s 5th-year rookie option, and he returned once more as the starter. 2015 was a bit of a down year for Smith statistically, only managing 13 appearances due to injury, but he finished with a respectable 66 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions. Despite these hurdles, he earned a spot in his first Pro Bowl as an alternate and entered the top-100 player rankings for the first time at #73. The Vikings made the playoffs once again but failed to make it past their first matchup. Before the start of the 2016 season, Smith and the Vikings agreed to a massive 5-year contract extension worth $51.25 million with a $10 million signing bonus. 2016 was another successful outing for Smith, and he finished the year with 14 games played, only missing two games late in the season with a high ankle sprain. He finished with 91 tackles and 2 sacks but didn’t record a single interception for the first time in his career. Smith was named to his 2nd straight Pro Bowl appearance and first starting spot, and was voted a top-100 player in the NFL once again.

2017 would be among the best seasons of Smith’s career. He appeared in all 16 of Minnesota’s games for the first time since 2014 and finished with 78 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 5 interceptions. While impressive at a glance, Smith’s analytical performance was even more elite. His 98.8 PFF grade was the highest in history for a safety and was the 3rd highest in the entire NFL. The Vikings finished with a 13-3 record and earned a spot in the playoffs. They beat the New Orleans Saints 29-24 but lost in the NFC Championship to the eventual Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles. Smith earned his 3rd straight Pro Bowl appearance, was named to the 1st team All-Pro roster, earned a DPOY nomination, and jumped up to the #46 spot in the NFL top-100 rankings. Smith started another 16 games in 2018 and finished the year with 84 tackles, 3 sacks, and 3 interceptions. Unfortunately, the Vikings missed the playoffs with an 8-7-1 record, but Smith was named to his 4th straight Pro Bowl and earned 2nd team All-Pro. 2019 saw Smith finish with 85 tackles, 1 sack, and 3 interceptions, while the Vikings ended at 10-6. It was enough to earn Smith his 5th straight Pro Bowl and a spot for Minnesota in the NFC wild-card round of the playoffs. The Vikings beat the Saints 26-20 in an overtime thriller that sent them to a divisional-round matchup with the 49ers.

Smith played 16 games in both 2020 and 2021, but the Vikings missed the playoffs both years with losing records. Still, he managed to record a career-high in tackles with 114 in 2021 and tied his career-high in sacks with 3 in 2020 and interceptions with 5 in 2020. Smith’s 2021 campaign earned him his 6th and most recent Pro Bowl appearance. Although he only appeared in 14 games in 2022, Smith recorded 3 straight games with an interception from weeks 6-9, tied his career high in interceptions with 5, and collected 85 total tackles. The Vikings pulled a wild-card round matchup with the New York Giants but lost 24-31. The Vikings missed the 2023 playoffs after a disappointing 7-10 outing, but Smith showed out yet again. He finished with 93 tackles and tied a career-high with 3 sacks, but failed to record a single interception for only the second time in his professional career.

The 2024 Vikings bounced back in 2024 with an impressive 13-4 record, and Smith put up 87 tackles, 1 sack, and 3 interceptions. Unfortunately, the Vikings were upset by the LA Rams 9-27  in the wild-card round. 2025 will be Smith’s 14th year in the NFL and the final year of his contract with the Vikings. In his 13 seasons, he’s made the Pro Bowl 6 times (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021), All-Pro honors 2 times (2017, 2018), and the playoffs 6 times (2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2024). At 36 years old, it’s unclear what Smith’s next contract will look like, but his longevity and consistently elite performance make another extension likely, conceivably keeping him in Minnesota for his entire career. As of 2025, Smith is the only remaining Notre Dame player from the 2012 draft class actively playing in the NFL. 

2008 Draft Class

JJ Jansen - Carolina Panthers - LS - 2008 - CFA

Jansen wasn’t picked in the 2008 NFL draft but signed with the Green Bay Packers for a short stint. Unfortunately, JJ spent the remainder of the 2008 season on injury reserve. He was traded to the Carolina Panthers in April 2009, where he immediately won the starting long-snapper job. He started all 16 games for the Panthers in 2009 and never looked back. Since then, Jansen has started at least 16 games for the Panthers through the 2011 season. Because of his consistency and dependability, the Panthers re-signed Jansen to a 4-year, $3.6 million contract prior to the 2012 season. He’d go on to earn a Pro Bowl appearance following the 2013 season and was a part of the Super Bowl 50 Panthers squad. Despite losing the game, Jansen’s career continued on its stellar trajectory. 

In early 2016, Jansen signed a 5-year, $5.5 million contract to stay in Carolina after holding down the long-snapper position for 7 consecutive seasons without missing a single start. The Panthers re-signed Jansen to consecutive 1-year deals beginning in early 2021 until the present. The two most recently agreed on a one-year deal in February 2025, marking his 17th season in the league and with the franchise. Jansen has made his mark on the Carolina record books with the most career games played for the franchise with 260, a record he’s held since the 2022 season. He hasn’t missed a single regular-season game over his 16-year career. As of 2025, the 38-year-old is the only remaining Notre Dame alumnus from the 2008 NFL rookie class and the oldest Irish player left in the league.

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