2026 NFL Draft Grades: Day 3 Picks by Team
The 2026 NFL Draft is done! It’s been a really fun weekend, but all good things must come to an end. Unfortunately, the 2026 class wasn’t overly impressive. Still, there were plenty of values to be found if you could sift through the muck. A ton of TEs went off the board, and a few QBs finally got picked late. I’m happy to report that every team had picks. However, some did better than others, and that’s why we’re here. In this post, I’ll be grading each team’s picks made on day 3 of the draft. If you want to see my grades for rounds 1, click here, and if you’re interested in the day 2 team grades, go here.
As in the day 2 analysis, team picks are grouped together, and the teams are listed in reverse order of their records (i.e., what the order would have looked like if no picks were ever traded). Each player is accompanied by a value in parentheses such as (2-44). In this case, the player was picked in the 2nd round with the 44th overall selection. Since so many trades take place on day 3, it’s too cumbersome to track them all down. If any are truly notable, they’ll be featured in the analyses listed below.
1. Las Vegas Raiders – CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee (4-101); RB Mike Washington Jr, Arkansas (4-122); S Dalton Johnson, Arizona (5-150); CB Hezekiah Masses, California (5-175); WR Malik Benson, Oregon (6-195); DT Brandon Cleveland, NC State (7-229): B-
We started day 3 with a bang, as the Raiders traded up to take the best value in the entire class. McCoy’s knee could be a problem, but if he can stay healthy, he’s a top-10 talent. I also loved the value with Washington, but there was no point in taking him a year after spending a first-rounder on Ashton Jeanty. They followed that up with a pair of DBs, 1 short (Johnson) and 1 tall (Masses). Neither is a great tackler. Benson is a speedy receiver who basically duplicates Tre Tucker. Cleveland is a solid nose tackle but lacks length and any pass rush ability. This group started well but faded as we continued.
2. New York Jets – DT Darrell Jackson Jr, Florida State (4-103); QB Cade Klubnik, Clemson (4-110); G Anez Cooper, Miami (6-188); S VJ Payne, Kansas State (7-228): B
New York began their day by adding size with Jackson, a large DT who flashed at times in college. Klubnik was a “meh” choice. He was a top recruit but never showed starter ability at Clemson. Still, the Jets had to take a flier on someone, and a backup QB is a perfectly reasonable with a 4th-round pick. They added size to the other line with Cooper, a strong run-blocking guard who needs to be shielded in pass protection. Payne is an athlete with upside that I thought would go a couple rounds earlier. A swing like that is exactly what you do in round 7. I consider this a pretty average haul, but NYJ added some decent players.
3. Arizona Cardinals – DT Kaleb Proctor, SE Louisiana (4-104); WR Reggie Virgil, Texas Tech (5-143); LB Karson Sharar, Iowa (6-183); OT Jayden Williams, Ole Miss (7-217): C-
The Cardinals made questionable picks all throughout the draft, and day 3 was no different. One pick I really liked though was Proctor. He was a dominant interior rusher at a small school, but it’s really his trashing of LSU’s offensive line that has me excited. Virgil is a big body but not much else. He’s a poor man’s Michael Wilson. Sharar was a good college player, but physical limitations will likely limit him to special teams in the pros. Williams has a chance to develop into a swing tackle, but he has some stiffness. Outside of maybe Proctor, I don’t think Arizona really improved their team at all.
4. Tennessee Titans – G Fernando Carmona, Arkansas (5-142); RB Nicholas Singleton, Penn State (5-165); DT Jackie Marshall, Baylor (6-184); C Pat Coogan, Indiana (6-194); TE Jaren Kanak, Oklahoma (7-225): B+
Finally enhancing Cam Ward’s protection, Tennessee took Carmona and Coogan, two experienced linemen. Carmona was a college tackle who will kick inside at the next level, while Coogan is a leader who pass blocks better than he plays in the run game. Both could be key contributors. The same goes for Singleton, an explosive back who catches the ball well. He’s a little boom-or-bust though. Marshall was listed as a DT, but he seems too small to play that position in my opinion. Kanak is a receiving TE who needs development. I’m happy with Tennessee’s picks for the most part.
5. New York Giants – DT Bobby Jamison-Travis, Auburn (6-186); OT JC Davis, Illinois (6-192); LB Jack Kelly, BYU (6-193): C+
The Giants had a light day 3 after some trades up earlier in the draft. It took until round 6 for NYG to find a new DT, but Jamison-Travis is not a Dexter Lawrence replacement. He’s a large nose tackle with little to offer as a rusher. That doesn’t make him a bad player, but it seems like New York will platoon at that position. Davis can be a quality swing tackle, though I don’t see a ton of upside. Kelly is a two-down run-stuffing LB who really takes charge of his defense. He bring some starter traits. Fortunately New York made the most of the first two days, as their day-3 selections were mostly average.
6. Cleveland Browns – C Parker Brailsford, Alabama (5-146); LB Justin Jefferson, Alabama (5-149); TE Joe Royer, Cincinnati (5-170); QB Taylen Green, Arkansas (6-182), TE Carsen Ryan, BYU (7-248): B
Smartly, Cleveland threw more resources at their poor offensive line. Brailsford is a center who probably isn’t stout enough to play guard, but he’s good with his movement. Royer is a blocking TE that complements Harold Fannin well. The Ryan pick was a bit superfluous though given the presence of those other TEs. Jefferson is a good coverage LB, but the Browns already had a good LB group, so this is just for depth. Green is intriguing. The Browns insist he’ll remain a QB, which I disagree with. His only NFL path is as a WR in my opinion. Aside from the newly created 4-QB clown show, these picks were pretty alright.
7. Washington Commanders – EDGE Joshua Josephs, Tennessee (5-147); RB Kaytron Allen, Penn State (6-187); C Matt Gulbin, Michigan State (6-209); QB Athan Kaliakmanis, Rutgers (7-223): C+
I was only moderately impressed with the way Washington spent their day 3 picks. Josephs was their best. He can’t play on run downs, but in round 5, he’s a good value as a pure pass rusher that the team can let loose. Allen was a solid pick, and I think he was the better of the two Penn State backs. Gulbin doesn’t project as anything more than a backup center to me, and those can be acquired for cheap in free agency. The Kaliakmanis pick was a throwaway. I didn’t consider him a draftable prospect, but the Commanders are allowed a project in the 7th round. I’ve seen worse draft hauls, but I’ve also seen better.
8. New Orleans Saints – G Jeremiah Wright, Auburn (4-132); WR Bryce Lance, North Dakota State (4-136); S Lorenzo Styles Jr, Ohio State (5-172); WR Barion Brown, LSU (6-190); CB TJ Hall, Iowa (7-219): B+
Supporting Tyler Shough was the Saints’ theme throughout this draft. Wright will only partially be able to do that; he’s a great run blocker, but none of the Auburn linemen protected their QBs last year. Lance and Brown are similar WRs. The former, Trey Lance’s brother, is a size/speed specimen while Brown is a bit smaller, but they’re both speedsters who need development. Brown also provides return capabilities. NO added speed to their defense too, adding Styles and his 4.27 speed. He too needs molding. Hall is not nearly as athletically gifted, but he has good technique. The Saints got a pretty good group here!
9. Kansas City Chiefs – CB Jadon Canady, Oregon (4-109); RB Emmett Johnson, Nebraska (5-161); WR Cyrus Allen, Cincinnati (5-176); QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU (7-249): B
Acquiring at least 2 CBs in this draft felt like a given for KC, and Canady was their second. He’s a good cover man who should slot (see what I did there?) right into the nickelback position. Johnson is a skilled runner who doesn’t excel at any one task. He’ll scoop up the carries that Kenneth Walker doesn’t take. Allen is a slot receiver who runs good routes, differentiating himself from KC’s current pass catchers. Nussmeier is an intriguing flier. I’m not a fan, but even I would’ve given him a shot sooner than pick 249. The Chiefs don’t have much of a use for him, but perhaps they can flip him down the line for a pick.
10. Cincinnati Bengals – C Connor Lew, Auburn (4-128); WR Colbie Young, Georgia (4-140); IOL Brian Parker II, Duke (6-189); TE Jack Endries, Texas (7-221); DT Landon Robinson, Navy (7-226): B
After two days or attacking the defense, Cincinnati focused mostly on the offense here. Lew was a touted C prospect who fell due to injury, so he was a good value. Parker played center as well, and though I suppose he can play guard, that was a bit of a duplicate pick. Young is another player whose stock fell because of an injury. Ironically, my comp for him is Tee Higgins: good size but questionable top-end speed. Endries didn’t feel needed, but he was a steal at pick 221 so it’s fine that they pulled the trigger. Robinson needs to bulk up, but seeing a Navy DT taken with the famous Pat Tillman pick was really cool.
11. Miami Dolphins – EDGE Trey Moore, Texas (4-130); LB/S Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh (4-138); S Michael Taaffe, Texas (5-158); WR Kevin Coleman Jr, Missouri (5-177); TE Seydou Traore, Mississippi State (5-180); G DJ Campbell, Texas (6-200); EDGE Max Llewellyn, Iowa (7-238): B+
It took until round 4, but Miami finally addressed their edge rush with Moore. He has to win with speed and not power, but he’s productive. Louis was announced as an LB, but he’s a tweener, and that fact is probably why he fell further than expected. If Jeff Hafley can use him properly, he could be a steal. Taaffe and Llewellyn are both athletically limited but savvy players that perform better than their skillsets would suggest. Traore was a big deal because of his international status, but he wasn’t a real prospect to me. Back to Texas for a third time, Campbell is a solid guard who could start on Miami’s newly improved line.
12. Dallas Cowboys – OT Drew Shelton, Penn State (4-112); CB Devin Moore, Florida (4-114); DL LT Overton, Alabama (4-137); WR Anthony Smith, East Carolina (7-218): A-
Dallas didn’t end up spending every pick on defense. Shelton profiles as a swing tackle with the upside to someday man the right side. Smith is a potential hedge against George Pickens’ departure next year, but he’s an older prospect whose finished product seems lackluster. Back on defense, Overton is a strong run-defending edge, which makes me think of John Franklin-Meyers. If Overton is anywhere close to that level, he’ll be a great addition. Moore is a long CB who has some fluidity but needs to work on his instincts; he has upside though. Aside from Smith, I actually like what Dallas did here, as each pick felt purposeful.
13. Atlanta Falcons – LB Kendal Daniels, Oklahoma (4-134); DT Anterio Thompson, Washington (6-208); LB Harold Perkins Jr, LSU (6-215); OT/G Ethan Onianwa, Ohio State (7-231): C+
The Falcons added some heft to their team but did so in different ways. Daniels is a former safety whose lack of instincts led him to be put in the box full-time. Thompson is athletic but not productive, so this is an upside play with a big body. Perkins excites me. He was a potential top-5 pick a couple of years ago before an injury derailed his college career. We saw some flashes this past season, and if he can return to even half of what he was, he’ll be quite the find in round 6. Onianwa is their biggest prospect of all, and his long-term future is at guard. Atlanta really beefed up, but did they actually find contributors?
14. Baltimore Ravens – WR Elijah Sarratt, Indiana (4-115); TE Matthew Hibner, SMU (4-133); CB Chandler Rivers, Duke (5-162); TE Josh Cuevas, Alabama (5-173); RB Adam Randall, Clemson (5-174); P Ryan Eckley, Michigan State (6-211); DT Rayshaun Benny, Michigan (7-250); OG Evan Beerntsen, Northwestern (7-253): B+
Some of these picks were quintessentially Baltimore. Sarratt is a big-bodied receiver who can block, making him a perfect fit for their system. The Ravens lost Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar, so they replaced them on the cheap with Cuevas and Hibner, respectively. Both of them can block, as can Beerntsen, though the latter needs to add strength. Eckley was one of the top punters, but I wouldn’t have spent a pick on that. Randall is a two-down back because he can’t pass protect, so he won’t see the field often. Rivers and Benny are two really good defensive additions. Baltimore mostly handled things well as usual.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – CB Keiontae Scott, Miami (4-116); DT DeMonte Capeheart, Clemson (5-155); G Billy Schrauth, Notre Dame (5-160); TE Bauer Sharp, LSU (6-185): B-
One Hurricane fell to Tampa in the form of Rueben Bain, and they found value with a second in Scott. He’s an aggressive slot CB who is best known for his pick six against Ohio State. Capeheart is a nose tackle whose role might be to give Vita Vea some snaps off. Schruath is coming off an injury, which is a concerning theme for him, but he possesses starter upside if he can stay healthy. Sharp is a receiving TE who is pretty raw, so I expected him to go in round 7. I like the targeted spots these guys will occupy, but there’s certainly some risk in these selections due to injuries or projections.
16. Indianapolis Colts – G Jalen Farmer, Kentucky (4-113); LB Bryce Boettcher, Oregon (4-135); EDGE George Gumbs Jr, Florida (5-156); DE Caden Curry, Ohio State (6-214); RB Seth McGowan, Kentucky (7-237); WR Deion Burks, Oklahoma (7-254): B
It seems that Indy wants to run the ball more based on their picks of Farmer, a potential road grader at guard, and McGowan, a short-yardage back who can keep Jonathan Taylor fresh. Boettcher is an undersized athlete with a fiery personality; he notably skirmished with his teammate at the Senior Bowl. Gumbs as interesting as a former TE, so while he’s a project with solid upside, he probably should’ve gone lower. Curry is a relentless defender who produced in college but might be a reserve for the Colts. Burks’ fall will need to be examined. With his speed and elusiveness, I graded him in the third round. Fantastic value there.
17. Detroit Lions – LB Jimmy Rolder, Michigan (4-118); CB Keith Abney II, Arizona State (5-157); WR Kendrick Law, Kentucky (5-168); DT Skyler Gill-Howard, Texas Tech (6-205); EDGE Tyre West, Tennessee (7-222): C+
Detroit is obsessed with Michigan players. Rolder is a two-down run stopper plus special teamer, but he’s good in that role. Abney is an instant starter in the slot, and we know how much the Lions need DB depth. I don’t get the Law pick, as the Lions certainly didn’t need another WR. Gill-Howard is undersized and can probably only play in subpackages. However, he’s good at rushing the passer. West is his inverse as an edge rusher who does better against the run. The Lions tend to identify players that fit certain archetypes, and they don’t care what others think. Still, I think they could’ve done better with some of these selections.
18. Minnesota Vikings – TE/FB Max Bredeson, Michigan (5-159); CB Charles Demmings, Stephen F Austin (5-163); RB Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest (6-198); C Gavin Gerhardt, Cincinnati (7-235): B+
Entering day 3 with a clear plan to improve at the point of attack, Minnesota spent several resources to boost their running game. Bredeson was an inline TE at Michigan, but he’ll probably be a more traditional FB in the pros. Claiborne is a smaller complement to Jordan Mason, where he adds pass-catching skills and a tough running style. Gerhardt could either start now or in the future at center. Over on defense, Demmings is a long-term projection coming from a small school, but he provides intriguing traits. These are solid selections, though the Vikings’ QB situation might ruin it all.
19. Carolina Panthers – CB Will Lee III, Texas A&M (4-129); C Sam Hecht, Kansas State (5-144); S Zakee Wheatley, Penn State (5-151); LB Jackson Kuwatch, Miami OH (7-227): A+
I’ve been really impressed with how Carolina has found value, and day 3 was no different. I was unfortunately correct about Lee’s stiff hips hurting his stock, but he was a first-round prospect once. He was certainly better than a 4th-rounder, even if the league didn’t think so. Hecht is an instantaneous starter at center, or he’ll at least get the job if Luke Fortner struggles. Wheatley is one of the class’s better safeties, so I’m not sure why he feel even more than the others. Kuwatch isn’t a pro-ready player, but he’s big and explosive, which makes him a worthy project to take on. The Panthers nailed this despite their drafting history.
20. Green Bay Packers – EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State (4-120); C Jager Burton, Kentucky (5-153), CB Domani Jackson, Alabama (6-201); K Trey Smack, Florida (6-216); CB Michael Dansby, Arizona (7-255): B+
Green Bay went all over the place with their late-round picks, but they started as always in the trenches. Dennis-Sutton is a typical Penn State player: an athlete that comes into the league raw but has loads of potential. Burton is likely a backup center, as the Packers just missed the run on starting centers. Jackson was a highly touted recruit but could never put it all together at Alabama. I’m not sure he can do it with GB either as a result. Dansby on the other hand is a PBU machine who covered well in his 1 year with the Wildcats. Smack is a top kicker, and with the UFL crop looking weaker this year, I get the pick.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – WR Kaden Wetjen, Iowa (4-121); TE Riley Nowakowski, Indiana (5-169); DT Gabriel Rubio, Notre Dame (6-210); S Robert Spears-Jennings, Oklahoma (7-224); RB Eli Heidenreich, Navy (7-230): B
I may be biased, but Pittsburgh started their day with one of my favorite players. Wetjen is a fine slot WR, but readers of this site know I love his return ability, which is the best in the class. The Steelers found a similar Swiss army knife in Heidenreich, who got listed as an RB but may be best in the slot as well. Nowakowski is a blocking TE who can complement Pat Freiermuth, and the 5th round is where you take such a player. Rubio is a bit underwhelming, as his athletic profile doesn’t scream “NFL player”. Spears-Jennings is an SS who brings down the hammer, so he’s very Steelers-esque. I like these picks, especially the weapons.
22. Los Angeles Chargers – WR Brenen Thompson, Mississippi State (4-105); OT Travis Burke, Memphis (4-117); S Genesis Smith, Arizona (4-131); DT Nick Barrett, South Carolina (5-145); G Logan Taylor, Boston College (6-202); G Alex Harkey, Oregon (6-206): A
I wondered when someone would take the fastest man in the drafts, and LA got a value by snagging Thompson in the 4th frame. Burke is a likely swing tackle with massive size, and he’s likely a result of the Chargers being scarred by OT injuries last year. They wanted both depth and upgrades at the guard spots, which I think they accomplished via Taylor and Harkey. Barrett is a nose tackle who just fits Jim Harbaugh so well. Smith is a bit of a hybrid DB, but he performed well at the Combine. Based on what we’ve seen, this is one of the better day-3 hauls that merged need and value quite effectively.
23. Philadelphia Eagles – QB Cole Payton, North Dakota State (5-178); G Micah Morris, Georgia (6-207); S Cole Wisnieski, Texas Tech (7-244); DT Uar Bernard, Nigeria (7-251); EDGE Keyshawn James-Newby, New Mexico (7-252): B
For once, I’m not as high on the Eagles’ draft. Their picks were kind of weird, especially the QB swing. Payton played well last year, but we all know what happened with the last NDSU QB who was a 1-year starter (Trey Lance). Morris was Howie Roseman’s obligatory Bulldog, and he was a good pick. He’ll need development, but that’s Philly’s specialty. Wisnieski and James-Newby are both reasonable athletic projects, but neither is as wild as Bernard. This giant man ran a 4.63 at 306 lbs, but he has minimal football experience. Jordan Mailata’s pathway comes to mind, so I’ll trust the Eagles on this. Tons of boom-or-bust in this group.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars – EDGE Wesley Williams, Duke (4-119); TE Tanner Koziol, Houston (5-164); WR Josh Cameron, Baylor (5-191); EDGE Zach Durfee, Washington (7-233); LB Parker Hughes, Middle Tennessee (7-240): D
I’ll be honest: I’m not sure what Jacksonville was doing this draft. They reached badly on several picks, including with Williams. He’s a likely special teamer, but the 4th round is much too early for that. Durfee and Hughes are developmental prospects, and while that may be alright with 7th-round picks, they don’t help the Jags defend their AFC South Crown. Koziol was a great pick as one of my top TEs, but even that selection came after a major 2nd-round TE reach, mitigating its effectiveness. Cameron also could’ve been a good pick, but he’ll be buried on the depth chart. An all-around confusing weekend for JAX.
25. Chicago Bears – CB Malik Muhammad, Texas (4-124); LB Keyshaun Elliott, Arizona State (5-166); DT Jordan Van den Berg, Georgia Tech (6-213): C-
The Bears went with a slight value, an average value, and a poor value in succession. Muhammad is a productive and long CB who should’ve gone at least 1 round earlier, so I really like that pick. Elliott was an alright choice, as he fills Chicago’s need for LB depth. Van den Berg is raw, which is odd to say about a 24-year-old. Given his age, I’m not sure there’s really much room for him to grow. The team didn’t do a whole lot on day 3, and what they did wasn’t particularly inspiring. I love that they targeted the defense, which badly needed help. I just wish they didn’t wait so long, as I think they were too late.
26. Buffalo Bills – OT Jude Bowry, Boston College (4-102); WR Skyler Bell, UConn (4-125); LB Kaleb Elarms-Orr, TCU (4-126); S Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina (5-167); DT Zane Durant, Penn State (5-181); CB Toriano Pride Jr, Missouri (7-220); P Tommy Doman, Florida (7-239); OG Ar’maj Reed-Adams, Texas A&M (7-241): A
Buffalo had major quantity, but they also selected quality. As a team without many needs, the Bills were free to target depth and upside. For example, Bowry is a solid swing tackle, Reed-Adams is a developmental guard, and Elarms-Orr is an athletic backup LB who can contribute on special teams. In the value department, Bell, Kilgore, and Durant were all steals. They’re all good athletes, and Kilgore especially fell too far. Pride is a speed demon who needs to work on technique, but he has tools. Doman is a punter pick, so I don’t have much to say there, but the 7th round is fine for that type of pick I suppose.
27. San Francisco 49ers – DT Gracen Halton, Oklahoma (4-107); G Carver Willis, Washington (4-127); CB Ephesians Prysock, Washington (4-139); LB Jaden Dugger, Louisiana (5-154); OT Enrique Cruz Jr, Kansas (5-179): C+
Oddly, San Francisco made 5 picks on day 3, but their weekend was finished after round 5. They focused exclusively on the offensive line and the defense. Willis got described as a guard, but he’s new to the position after playing his entire college career as a tackle. Cruz may have to follow suit, though his athletic profile is more of a fit for tackle. Halton is a good interior rusher, fitting the theme of improving SF’s pass rush. Prysock is is a very long CB with loads of potential and excellent name. Dugger is an unspectacular LB, who they ironically got with approximately the pick they acquired for Dee Winters. Full circle moment!
28. Houston Texans – G Febechi Nwaiwu, Oklahoma (4-106); LB Wade Woodaz, Clemson (4-123); S Kamari Ramsey, USC (5-141); WR Lewis Bond, Boston College (6-204); LB Aiden Fisher, Indiana (7-243): C-
While I’m not sold on Nwaiwu as a prospect, I am proud of Houston for drafting another lineman. Woodaz wasn’t a great pick either, as he’s athletically limited. That became even more true when the Texans took a better LB in round 7. Fisher isn’t thought of as having a great skillset, but he was the glue for Indiana’s defense and played very well. Ramsey is another good secondary player for a defense that’s full of them. Bond reminds me of Tez Johnson due to his slim build, but he’s a similarly skilled WR. Nothing too flashy here, nor was there a very high floor. This isn’t the greatest crop of draft picks.
29. Los Angeles Rams – WR CJ Daniels, Miami (6-197); DT Tim Keenan II, Alabama (7-232): A-
I feel like LA barely participated in this draft, even though they had the most notable (in a bad way) pick in round 1. Nobody had less than their two day-3 picks, but at least they spent those well. Daniels was an overlooked WR at Miami, where went after transferring from LSU. He’s just a solid player without any one elite skill other than his hands. Keenan is strictly a nose tackle, but he’s a big space-eater who allows his teammates to feast. He exclusively provides run defense, but these guys typically go a couple of rounds earlier. It’s a shame that this still doesn’t make up for that boneheaded Ty Simpson pick.
30. Denver Broncos – RB Jonah Coleman, Washington (4-108); OT Kage Casey, Boise State (4-111); TE Justin Joly, NC State (5-152); S Miles Scott, Illinois (7-246); TE Dallen Bentley, Utah (7-256); LB Red Murdock, Buffalo (7-257): B+
After sitting out rounds 1 and 2, Denver made a bunch of picks the rest of the way. Coleman is a decent player, but he’s joining a very crowded RB room. Kasey provides O-line depth for one of the league’s best, and he might be good enough to start for some teams. Joly was one of the few value TE picks in a draft full of reaches, though he can’t block. Bentley can though! Scott is basically Riley Moss but a safety: not very athletic but skilled at his craft. Murdock was a great pick as Mr. Irrelevant. He’s a two-down thumper with excellent tackling capabilities. Better late than never as far as getting involved in the draft party!
31. New England Patriots – CB Karon Prunty, Wake Forest (5-171); OT Dametrious Crownover, Texas A&M (6-196); LB Namdi Obiazor, TCU (6-212); QB Behren Morton, Texas Tech (7-234); RB Jam Miller, Alabama (7-245); EDGE Quintayvious Hutchins, Boston College (7-247): F
As I examined these picks, I thought I was going to end up being too harsh. It turns out that other pros agree with me, so I’ll go through with it. None of these picks excite me. On offense, Crownover is a tackle-only prospect who doesn’t move well. Morton was a throwaway pick who ruined TTU’s CFP, while Miller is merely a plodder. The three defenders were all either lower on my board or off it entirely. If the Patriots are lucky, they’ll be good special teamers. I didn’t spot one player who is likely to assist NE’s Super Bowl push. I consider this the worst day-3 performance of any team in the league.
32. Seattle Seahawks – G Beau Stephens, Iowa (5-148); WR Emmanuel Henderson, Kansas (6-199); CB Andre Fuller, Toledo (7-236); DT Deven Eastern, Minnesota (7-242): A-
It took longer than I thought, but Seattle finally started trading down. As a result, their 4 total draft picks became 7, including 4 on day 3. I think they did well with those picks. Stephens isn’t a sexy choice, but he’s a good run-blocking guard who can start or provide depth in case of injuries. Fuller and Eastern are two developmental defenders with tools, and like I stated yesterday HC Mike Macdonald is excellent at developing such players. Henderson doesn’t look great on paper, but he’s a former RB who is still learning what he can do. In a couple of years, he might surprise us. This was a nice use of limited resources.