SOUTH BEND (AP) — Former Notre Dame tight end John Carlson is taking a philosophical approach to this weekend's NFL draft.

"Whether I'm drafted really high or really low that's not going to determine how successful or unsuccessful I'm going to be in the NFL," he said. "I'm looking at it as a starting point and a really exciting time in my life, but I'm trying not to get too high or too low."

Carlson is one of four former Irish players expected to be drafted, along with defensive lineman Trevor Laws, safety Tom Zbikowski and center John Sullivan.

Draft experts Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN and Mike Mayock of NFL Network predict Carlson will be taken in the second round despite his numbers being down last season as the Irish struggled to a 3-9 record.

"He's a good athlete and he can block. He'll give you adequate in line blocking, which a lot of these tight ends won't," Kiper said. "So he gives you that dual threat at tight end, and he can stretch the middle well enough."

Mayock also cited Carlson's blocking as a strength, adding he's a "better receiver than people generally give him credit for. And, barring injury, he's that guy that's going to play eight or 10 years in the NFL at a fairly high level."

Laws led the Irish with 112 tackles last season, one shy of tying the school record for a defensive lineman. He played defensive tackle his first three seasons and moved to end last season when Notre Dame switched to a 3-4 defense. Kiper said that should help Laws.

"I think the flexibility he gives you, and the fact he has that motor, and he was tremendously productive has moved him up to the late first day," Kiper said.

This year only two rounds will be held Saturday, instead of three rounds as in recent years. For Laws, whose goal all season was to be taken on the first day, it's a little frustrating.

"It makes it a little tougher for us fringe guys," he said.

The biggest dispute involving former Irish players is when Zbikowski will be taken. Mayock likes Zbikowski's "toughness and his belligerent attitude" and rates him as a third-round pick, saying he could eventually be a starter in the right scheme. But Kiper thinks could have been a second- or third-round pick after the '05 season, but said his stock dropped because he missed too many tackles, especially in the open field. He predicts Zbikowski will go in the fourth or fifth round.

Zbikowski isn't worried what the experts are saying.

"What they think has nothing to do with whether a team likes you or not," he said. "I did everything I could to help myself out. Now I have to sit and wait because it's out of my control."

Kiper said Sullivan is a likely fourth- or fifth-round choice, while Mayock predicts fifth round. Sullivan said he's just eager to see where he's headed.

"You get to take a step forward with your life," he said. "It's something you've been working for so long, but the work doesn't stop there. It only gets harder. But it will be cool to accomplish this goal."