Senior Christian Gray’s transition from cornerback to nickelback has been an adjustment for the veteran defender.
That caught the attention of Pro Football Focus, who noted in an article that Gray’s 2027 NFL draft stock is down following the first game of the year. Gray entered the 2026 season as a projected second-day, mid-round draft pick.
PFF noted that Gray, who had one of the lowest grade-point averages (52.2) for being one of the top-100 players this season, will be challenged more against opposing offenses with Leonard Moore at outside cornerback.
Against Wisconsin on Sunday, PFF said that the Badgers caught Gray “out on multiple occasions” and gained a handful of first downs through the senior’s coverage. PFF stated that Gray notably had
a “bad rep” against Wisconsin senior receiver Malachi Coleman, who “beat Gray nastily on a double move.”
Gray had just two tackles, both of them solo, against Wisconsin.
The senior defender recorded 17 tackles, 11 pass break-ups, two interceptions and 13 pass deflections last year. Gray had 35 tackles, a forced fumble, nine pass break-ups, three interceptions and 12 pass deflections in 2024.
📈 Darian Mensah, Miami
— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 9, 2026
📉 Christian Gray, Notre Dame
2027 NFL Draft Stock Up/Stock Down Post-Week 1⬇️https://t.co/kxHDVhDvxG
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Notre Dame defenders draft stock falling after Week 1 performance
