Hogs Haven takes a look at 2024 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Commanders
JD Bertrand, LB
School: Notre Dame | Conference: Independents
College Experience: Senior | Age: 23
Height / Weight: 6’1” / 235 lbs
Projected Draft Status: Rounds 4-6
Player Comparison: Josey Jewell
College Statistics
| Tackles | Def Int | Fumbles | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Solo | Ast | Tot | Loss | Sk | Int | Yds | Avg | TD | PD | FR | Yds | TD | FF |
| *2020 | Notre Dame | ACC | SO | LB | 3 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| *2021 | Notre Dame | Ind | JR | LB | 13 | 65 | 37 | 102 | 6.5 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| *2022 | Notre Dame | Ind | JR | 12 | 45 | 37 | 82 | 8.5 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| *2023 | Notre Dame | Ind | SR | LB | 12 | 41 | 35 | 76 | 7.5 | 2.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Career | Notre Dame | 156 | 111 | 267 | 22.5 | 5.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |||||
Player Overview
JD Bertrand is a two-time captain for Notre Dame. On the field, JD Bertrand has been prolific, leading the Fighting Irish in tackles for three consecutive seasons. Off the field, he was an Academic All-American and named Notre Dame’s Man of the Year. Pretty impressive for the four-star recruit out of Georgia that helped his high school win back-to-back state championships. Once Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah moved on to the NFL, Bertrand entered the starting lineup in 2021, playing a more traditional linebacker role. That year, he topped 100 tackles, the first player to do so since 2018. He followed that up in 2022 by being named Notre Dame’s Defensive Player of the Year. In 2023, he helped lead the fifth-best defense in college football.
Strengths
- Excellent size for the position
- Has good top-end speed
- Can shoot gaps and beat blockers to spots to make plays
- Rarely misses tackles
- Fluid mover in space who easily picks up coverage assignments
Weaknesses
- Despite size, can struggle getting off blocks
- Inconsistent ability to stack and shed blockers
- Can miss plays by being too aggressive attacking the line of scrimmage
- Limited ball production; no INTs in college career
Let’s See His Work
Notre Dame’s J.D. Bertrand was named top LB on the National team in a vote from OL and RB teammates at practice player-of-the-week awards ceremony today at 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl. #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/0KzNVCfuyF
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) February 2, 2024
How He Fits on the Commanders
The Commanders have had the worst luck finding linebackers. Jamin Davis has improved, but hasn’t quite lived up to his first-round draft position. The team will have to decide whether to pick up his fifth-year option by May. Finding someone to play next to him has proven just as difficult. Bringing in Cody Barton to replace Cole Holcomb was a failed experiment. Khaleke Hudson has shown some promise, but he is set to be a free agent.
JD Bertrand could help stabilize the position. There are some flashes of wow plays to go along with consistently good play. His weaknesses are correctable with coaching. He also has intangibles like leadership that would be welcome in any locker room. If the Commanders sign a starting linebacker in free agency to pair with Davis, Bertrand could serve as depth and a special teamer that might slide into a starting role if the team isn’t sold on Davis. At worst, he will be a quality depth player.