Team Grades for Day 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft
And with that, the 2022 NFL Draft is complete! For these rounds, I like to look at the team picks holistically. The last 4 rounds are about teams filling holes on their roster with solid starters/backups or players with upside that they can develop. All of the players in this part of the draft have flaws, whether they’re injuries, level of competition concerns, poor technique, character problems, or lackluster traits. The way to make these picks work is to find the best fit for your team. Not every player is a match for every team. If they were, they wouldn’t still be on the board.
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. I also add an up arrow ↑ if the team traded up for the player, and I add a down arrow ↓ if the team traded down before making their pick. * means that the team acquired the pick in a pre-draft trade or a draft-day trade for a player.
- Jacksonville Jaguars – RB Snoop Conner, Mississippi (5-154↑); CB Gregory Junior, Ouachita Baptist (6-197*); CB Montaric Brown, Arkansas (7-222) : C
I don’t really know why the Jaguars traded two 6th-round picks to move up for a lackluster RB. Conner is a plodder that could have been obtained in round 7. Junior is a complete wild card, as his level of competition was nowhere near what he will face in the NFL. Brown was productive at Arkansas, so that pick was fine late. I like that the team addressed areas of need, with the secondary being a particular concern. - Detroit Lions – TE James Mitchell, Virginia Tech (5-177); LB Malcolm Rodriguez, Oklahoma State (6-188↓); DE/OLB James Houston, Jackson State (6-217); CB Chase Lucas, Arizona State (7-237↓): A-
Detroit did a really good job in the late rounds. First, they got a TE with upside in the fifth. Then, they trade back and picked up Malcolm Rodriguez and Chase Lucas. Lucas and his teammate Jack Jones seemed similar to me, but the Patriots took the latter with a 4th rounder. Thus, Detroit got much better value. Finally, they obtained an intriguing linebacker who was coached by Deion Sanders, which is never a bad bet. Detroit had many needs, so all of these picks filled holes somewhere. - Houston Texans – RB Dameon Pierce, Florida (4-107*); DT Thomas Booker, Stanford (5-150↑); TE Teagan Quitoriano, Oregon State (5-170↑); OT/G Austin Deculus, Louisiana State (6-205*): C-
Pierce is very popular among scouts, who view him as a three-down back with little tread on his tires. I’m not that high on him, but one area where he undoubtedly shines is as a pass blocker. If you can be trusted to pass protect as a back, you’ll see the field. I didn’t like the two trade-ups. Booker is a solid player, but Quitoriano is a blocking TE who had almost no production as a receiver. Deculus provides versatility along the offensive line, which is always coveted. Like Detroit, Houston has a ton of needs. However, I don’t think they plugged many of their holes. - New York Jets – OT Max Mitchell, Louisiana (4-111*); DE Micheal Clemons, Texas A&M (4-117*): A+
The Jets had no picks beyond the fourth round, yet they get an A+. How? Because their haul must be viewed in context. They surrendered their later picks in moves on previous days. They obtained Jermaine Johnson at an extreme value, and they used a 5th to ensure they got Breece Hall. Those are much more important decisions than lottery picks in the late rounds. To help matters, the two players they did select are good! Mitchell gives the team a plan B in case they aren’t happy with Mechi Becton, and Clemons is an NFL-ready pass rusher with good bend and upside. - New York Giants – TE Daniel Bellinger, San Diego State (4-112*); S Dane Belton, Iowa (4-114↓); LB Micah McFadden, Indiana (5-146↓); DT DJ Davidson, Arizona State (5-147); G Marcus McKethan, North Carolina (5-173*); LB Darrian Beavers, Cincinnati (6-182) : B
The Giants did not trade up once on day 3, as previous trade downs left them with plenty of selections. Some of these picks were better than others, but they all could help the team based on how many holes this roster contains. Most of these players are average talents, but that’s fine on day 3. They’ll be backups at worse. The exception is Beavers. I had him slotted much earlier, as he was the heartbeat of that excellent Bearcats defense. - Carolina Panthers – LB Brandon Smith, Penn State (4-120*); DE/OLB Amare Barno, Virginia Tech (6-189*); G Cade Mays, Tennessee (6-199*); CB Kalon Barnes, Baylor (7-242*): A+
I LOVE how Carolina handled day 3. They went all-in on their strategy of picking great athletes with upside that simply need development and refinement. Nobody exemplifies that more than Smith. He’s an athletic specimen, but his instincts are lacking. With some coaching, he could terrorize offenses. Barno is similar. He has no real pass rush moves, but he’s explosive with a ridiculous sub-4.4 40. He should’ve gone 3 rounds sooner. Mays has injury concerns, but if things break right he’ll be a solid protector. Barnes was the fastest player in the draft at 4.23(!), so at the very least he should be dangerous in the return game. - Chicago Bears – OT Braxton Jones, Southern Utah (5-168↓), DE/OLB Dominique Robinson, Miami OH (5-174↓); G Zach Thomas, San Diego State (6-186); RB Tristan Ebner, Baylor (6-203↓); C Doug Kramer, Illinois (6-207↓); G Ja’Tyre Carter, Southern (7-226↓); DB Elijah Hicks, California (7-254↑); P Trenton Gill, North Carolina State (7-255↑): B-
Chicago had mixed results on day 3. Braxton Jones is the headliner. He DOMINATED at the FCS level and has LT-quality measurables. Robinson has a great motor, which is sorely needed after the Khalil Mack trade. As a bonus, both picks were obtained after trading back. Thomas is a solid if unspectacular lineman. Things went downhill a bit from there. Ebner was a reach, as I believe he’s not even better than his teammate Abram Smith. Kramer has low upside, but his floor might be ok. Carter is the opposite: raw but with decent upside. The last two picks were uninspiring, but I hate that they traded a 2023 6th-round pick to obtain them. - Atlanta Falcons – RB Tyler Allgeier, Brigham Young (5-151); G Justin Shaffer, Georgia (6-190); TE John Fitzpatrick, Georgia (6-213): A-
Atlanta had a nice day. They reached slightly on Allgeier, who may not possess sufficient speed for the NFL, but he’s raw as a former LB and has an incredible work ethic and toughness. He’ll look better a year from now. Shaffer and Fitzpatrick are national champions with upside. The Falcons needed a younger option on their line, which they got with Shaffer. Fitzpatrick is an elite blocker who didn’t receive many targets, but with his big body, I imagine he could handle an increased receiving role if given the opportunity. - Denver Broncos – CB Damarri Mathis, Pittsburgh (4-115); DT Eyioma Uwazurike, Iowa State (4-116*); S Delarrin Turner-Yell, Oklahoma (5-152); WR Montrell Washington, Samford (5-162↓); C Luke Wattenberg, Washington (5-171↑); DT Matt Henningsen, Wisconsin (6-206*); CB Faion Hicks, Wisconsin (7-232): B-
Denver did an average job here. They took two DBs with upside in Mathis and Turner-Yell, which is good an a division containing Russell Wilson, Derek Carr, and Patrick Mahomes. Wattenberg wasn’t worth a trade up, and I don’t think he supplants Lloyd Cushenberry. Washington confuses me even with a trade back. I didn’t even have him on my radar, and he was probably obtainable as a UDFA. Henninsen and Hicks are late-round fliers, which I never grade poorly unless something is seriously wrong. Denver was merely looking for depth as Russell Wilson fixes their most glaring issue, and they mostly accomplished that goal. - Seattle Seahawks – CB Coby Bryant, Cincinnati (4-109*); CB Tariq Woolen, UTSA (5-153); DE Tyreke Smith, Ohio State (5-158↓); WR Bo Melton, Rutgers (7-229); WR Dareke Young, Lenoir-Rhyne (7-233↓): A+
Seattle had a heck of an afternoon. They started by taking Coby Bryant, the reigning Jim Thorpe award winner, which is given to the nation’s top DB. They then added another corner with monster upside. Woolen is 6’4″ and runs a 4.28. The only reason he’s available is that he’s super raw, as he’s a converted WR. He lands in the perfect spot because nobody develops late-round corners like Seattle. Tyreke Smith has some upside at a position of need, and Melton was simply a steal with his burst. Young is a flier who played well at a lower level of competition, but maybe he translates to the NFL. Combine all this with the trade down used to acquire 2 of these picks, and this was a job well done by GM John Schneider. - Washington Commanders – S Percy Butler, Louisiana (4-113); QB Sam Howell, North Carolina (5-144*); TE Cole Turner, Nevada (5-149*); G Chris Paul, Tulsa (7-230); CB Christian Holmes, Oklahoma State (7-240*): A-
Washington managed to snag my #1 QB with a mere 5th-round pick! I will have to research why Howell fell this far. I know he had some height concerns, but 5th round?? Butler was a reach, as the previous tier of safeties had been depleted. The only issue is what happens when Carson Wentz feels threatened. That didn’t go so well last time. Turner is a solid tight end for a team with only Logan Thomas at the position, so that’s positive. Paul is a quality option in the 7th frame. I like the Holmes pick even more. He has length and played in a great Oklahoma State defense, so he has potential. Much better close to the draft for Washington after its dubious start. - Minnesota Vikings – CB Akayleb Evans, Missouri (4-118↑); DE Esezi Otomewo, Minnesota (5-165↓); RB Ty Chandler, North Carolina (5-169↓); OT Vederian Lowe, Illinois (6-184*); WR Jalen Nailor, Michigan State (6-191*); TE Nick Muse, South Carolina (7-227*): B-
A middling day for Minnesota. I was not going to fault the Vikings for taking any number of DBs above 2, and though I like Evans, I’m not fond of the trade up. Otomewo was a reach, but the team traded back, and I always like when franchises pick local kids. Chandler was a peculiar choice. I thought this was a reach, but that’s not the issue: Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison are already on the roster. Why go RB here? Lowe constitutes offensive line depth, which is never bad. Nailor was a nice find. He’s not big or super fast, but his tape tells a much kinder tale. Muse is a flier with upside, i.e., a typical 7th-round selection. - Cleveland Browns – DT Perrion Winfrey, Oklahoma (4-108↓); K Cade York, Louisiana State (4-124↓); RB Jerome Ford, Cincinnati (5-156↓); WR Mike Woods, Oklahoma (6-202*); DE Isaiah Thomas, Oklahoma (7-223*); C Dawson Deaton, Texas Tech (7-246*): D
I have not been a fan of what Cleveland has done. Their grade is saved by their trades back and their 7th round. Winfrey provides juice up the middle, but he’s inconsistent and defends the run about as well as I do. They took a non-elite kicker in the 4th round. Ford is a good player, but why go RB with Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, and D’Ernest Johnson already on the roster? Woods feels like “just a guy”, but the team needs WRs. Thomas and Deaton were their best picks. Both provide strong upside, and Deaton in particular has a chance to contribute after the release of JC Tretter. - Baltimore Ravens – OT Daniel Faalele, Minnesota (4-105*); CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (4-119); TE Charlie Kolar, Iowa State (4-128*); P Jordan Stout, Penn State (4-130↓); TE Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina (4-139); CB Damarion Williams, Houston (4-141); RB Tyler Badie, Missouri (6-196*): B+
You’re reading that correctly: Baltimore had SIX 4th-round picks and made each one of them. Through their first three, they were trending toward an A+++. Faalele could’ve gone in the second round, as he moves well in spite of his 380-lb frame. Armour-Davis didn’t play a lot due to injuries, but he’s starter material for a team with needs in the secondary. Kolar is my favorite tight end in this class; he’s got good hands, strong route running, and supreme intelligence. He’s also a decent blocker. After that, things got a bit weird. They spent a 4th-round pick on a non-Matt Araiza punter when Sam Koch is perfectly good. I like Likely, but he likely won’t see the field much with Kolar and Mark Andrews taking snaps. Williams has nice upside, but Badie doesn’t. He’s another plodder but at least he’s got some receiving ability. - Miami Dolphins – WR Erik Ezukanma, Texas Tech (4-125*); OLB Cameron Goode, California (7-224*); QB Skylar Thompson, Kansas State (7-247*): F
I don’t give F’s on day 3 unless you really mess up. After trading for Tyreek Hill, the Dolphins had few picks remaining. Yet they didn’t trade down once. And then they wasted two of the 3 picks they did have. My complaint with Ezukanma has nothing to do with the player; I like him actually. But Miami has Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill, Cedrick Wilson, Preston Williams, and more. The absolute last position they needed was a receiver. Thompson is a similar case. They have Tua and Teddy Bridgewater; why throw away a pick on another? Goode was a decent selection, but he doesn’t make up for the other errors. - Indianapolis Colts – DT Eric Johnson, Missouri State (5-159); TE Andrew Ogletree, Youngstown State (6-192↓); DT Curtis Brooks, Cincinnati (6-216); DB Rodney Thomas, Yale (7-239): C+
Nothing special out of the Colts here. They got themselves a couple of nice depth pieces in Johnson and Brooks. Both should slot in nicely next to DeForest Buckner, especially Brooks with his pass rushing ability. He’ll probably cycle with Grover Stewart, who is superior against the run. Ogletree is a great athlete from a small school, but I’m not sure why they doubled up on tight ends after selecting Jelani Woods on Friday. I honestly have no comment on Thomas. I didn’t have any film on him, nor did anyone I spoke to. - Los Angeles Chargers – RB Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M (4-123); DT Otito Ogbonnia, UCLA (5-160); G/OT Jamaree Salyer, Georgia (6-195); CB Ja’Sir Taylor, Wake Forest (6-214); DB Deane Leonard, Mississippi (7-236); FB/RB Zander Horvath, Purdue (7-260): A-
No trades involved with any of these picks, which is interesting. I don’t really have complaints about any of them. Spiller wasn’t a true need, but he dropped at least a full round, so the Bolts had to snag him. Obgonnia is a sorely-needed nose tackle that should immediately help the worst run defense in football. Salyer is nothing less than a steal. He played all over the line for the Bulldogs, and a versatile lineman with good tape shouldn’t be available in round 6. Taylor and Leonard are developmental fliers with good skillsets, and they come from strong conferences. Horvath is a bruiser who is more of a big running back than a true fullback. He doesn’t really block. The team definitely didn’t need to double up on backs, but who cares in round 7? - New Orleans Saints – LB D’Marco Jackson, Appalachian State (5-161); DT Jordan Jackson, Air Force (6-194*): C
The Saints only had two day-3 picks after their previous wheeling and dealing, so they get a middling grade as a result. The picks themselves are fine. New Orleans needed a developmental linebacker to learn behind Demario Davis, and D’Marco Jackson qualifies. The other Jackson, Jordan, is intriguing. He generated pressure in college, and he has some good measurables. The production just didn’t match. With some quality coaching from Dennis Allen, he might blossom. - Philadelphia Eagles – LB Kyron Johnson, Kansas (6-181↑); TE Grant Calcaterra, SMU (6-198↓): C-
Philly also had only two picks due to trades, but I like theirs a bit less. Johnson is an average player, and trading up was completely unnecessary. Calcaterra is more nuanced. He could be the best receiving tight end in this class…or he could be out of football in a year. He once retired while playing at Oklahoma due to concussions before returning at SMU. For the sake of his health, I hope he’s making the right choice. - Pittsburgh Steelers – WR Calvin Austin III, Memphis (4-138); FB/TE Connor Heyward, Michigan State (6-208); LB Mark Robinson, Mississippi (7-225); QB Chris Oladokun, South Dakota State (7-241): B
The Steelers started off great by grabbing the falling Austin. Size concerns caused his drops, but he’s lightning quick. Ray-Ray McCloud should be on alert regarding his return job. Heyward is an H-back that might displace TJ Watt’s brother Derek, but the team keeps a set of brothers regardless because Connor is Cam Heyward’s little bro. Robinson provides depth at a position of need, but I have no idea why they grabbed a second QB after taking one 20th overall. - New England Patriots – CB Jack Jones, Arizona State (4-121↓); RB Pierre Strong, South Dakota State (4-127); QB Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky (4-137↓); RB Kevin Harris, South Carolina (6-183↓); DT Sam Roberts, NW Missouri State (6-200); G/C Chasen Hines, Louisiana State (6-210*); OT Andrew Stueber, Michigan (7-245↓): D+
I hate most of what New England did on day 3, but two great picks and a pile of trade downs spared them from a D or below. Jones is ok, but his teammate, Chase Lucas, is about equal and went in the 7th. It is incomprehensible to me that NE took two RBs. They have Damien Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson, James White, and JJ Taylor. At least Strong was the fastest RB in the class and is a good player; I didn’t have Harris as a draftable prospect. Same goes for Roberts, but I suppose the fact that he’s a total unknown gives him upside. Hines and Stueber were the fantastic choices. Stueber was a key cog in the nation’s top line, and Hines has starting potential; he could’ve gone 3 rounds earlier. - Las Vegas Raiders – RB Zamir White, Georgia (4-122*); DT Neil Farrell, Louisiana State (4-126↑); DT Matthew Butler, Tennessee (5-175↓); OT/G Thayer Munford, Ohio State (7-238↓); RB Brittain Brown, UCLA (7-250*): B
Another team that didn’t need to double up on RBs. White was at least a value pick, as he can play all 3 downs. I wonder what this means for Josh Jacobs, whose 5th-year option was declined. Brown wasn’t a player I had on my board. He was an average college back, which doesn’t make him NFL-caliber. The two DTs are opposites: Farrell is a big run stuffer, while Butler is a smaller pass rusher. The latter will probably be more useful. Munford will have to move inside at the NFL level, but the team sorely needed linemen. - Arizona Cardinals – RB Keaontay Ingram, USC (6-201); G Lecitus Smith, Virginia Tech (6-215); DB Christian Matthew, Valdosta State (7-234); LB Jesse Luketa, Penn State (7-256); G Marquis Hayes, Oklahoma (7-257): A
No trades to discuss here. The Cardinals did what they were supposed to: draft players with upside at positions of need. Ingram fills the receiving back role vacated by Chase Edmonds. Smith and Hayes are great value picks that will help keep Kyler Murray upright and open holes for James Conner. Matthew is likely a project coming from Division II, but corners are always needed. Luketa is a pass-rushing specialist that can help fill the void left by Chandler Jones. Nicely done! - Dallas Cowboys – TE Jake Ferguson (4-129); OT Matt Waletzko, North Dakota (5-155*); CB DaRon Bland, Fresno State (5-167); LB Damone Clark, Louisiana State (5-176); DT John Ridgeway, Arkansas (5-178); LB Devin Harper, Oklahoma State (6-193*): B
Dallas did decently, but one factor hurt their grade (which I’ll get to in a second). Ferguson, the grandson of the legendary Barry Alvarez, is a hard-nosed player who blocks and catches well, though he doesn’t have a dominant trait. Waletzko and Bland are average prospects, though Bland has speed. Clark is the gem here. If not for spinal fusion surgery, he had a shot at going in the first round. He likely will need a redshirt year, but the upside is immense. Ridgeway is another great value pick, and we know Jerry Jones loves his Razorbacks. Harper also feels like solid value, having come from a good OSU defense. My one issue: Harper and Waletzko were selected with the Amari Cooper picks. Not a great return. - Buffalo Bills – WR Khalil Shakir, Boise State (5-148↑); P/K Matt Araiza, San Diego State (6-180↓); CB Christian Benford, Villanova (6-185*); OT Luke Tenuta, Virgina Tech (6-209↓); LB Baylon Spector, Clemson (7-231*): A+
This may have been the best day 3 haul. Shakir required a trade up, but the value is still fantastic. He makes really difficult catches and can really work with Josh Allen when he escapes the pocket. I normally condemn any punter selection before round 7, but Araiza is special. He can punt 80 yards with accuracy, and he tackles people who try to return his kicks! Potentially lethal weapon. Benford is a productive small-school corner who can be developed while learning from Tre’Davious White. Tenuta is a late-round lineman flier obtained via trade down, which I always love. Spector is a player with rare ability and pedigree for a 7th-round pick. His instincts and recognition are awful, but that can be fixed with coaching. - Tennessee Titans – RB Hassan Haskins, Michigan (4-131); TE Chigoziem Okonkwo, Maryland (4-143); WR Kyle Philips, UCLA (5-163↓); CB Theo Jackson, Tennessee (6-204); LB Chance Campbell, Mississippi (6-219): C
Tennessee did a mediocre job. They addressed positions of need, but they could have obtained better prospects. Okonkwo, Philips, and Campbell all have upside and can contribute sooner than later. Haskins and Jackson were not expected to be drafted. Haskins is a mediocre back without a standout skill, and Jackson is a blitzing corner who doesn’t cover super well. These picks have been typical of the Titans this draft. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers – TE Cade Otton, Washington (4-106↓); P Jake Camarda, Georgia (4-133); CB Zyon McCollum, Sam Houston State (5-157↓); TE Ko Kieft, Minnesota (6-218↑); LB Andre Anthony, Louisiana State (7-248): B
Tampa made some dubious moves. They needed a TE with OJ Howard leaving and Gronk questionable to return, but why Otton over Kolar or Likely? Another 4th-round punter that wasn’t named Matt Ariza. Inexcusable. They took a second TE, but they traded up for a UDFA-caliber blocker in Kieft. Anthony has quality tape in the SEC, so that pick was good. Their best choice by far was McCollum. He absolutely SMOTHERED receivers at the FCS level, he has the measurables of an NFL starter, plus he was obtained via a trade down. Love it! So why a B after all my complaints? Because they shipped a 5th-round pick for Shaq Mason. That’s burglary. - Green Bay Packers – WR Romeo Doubs, Nevada (4-132); OL Zach Tom, Wake Forest (4-140); LB Kingsley Enagbare, South Carolina (5-179↓); S Tariq Carpenter, Georgia Tech (7-228*); DT Jonathan Ford, Miami (7-234↓); OT Rasheed Walker, Penn State (7-249); WR Samori Toure, Nebraska (7-258): A+
THREE TOTAL RECEIVERS DRAFTED! And good ones! Did not see that coming. Doubs is a big-bodied guy with a large catch radius. Toure is a solid producer who tested really well. Rodgers can work with them. Tom is an extremely versatile lineman with experience at tackle, guard, and center. Reminds me a bit of Elgton Jenkins. Enagbare is a quality pass rusher, and you can never have too many of those. Carpenter is someone Green Bay had targeted, so it’s good to get your man in round 7. Ford is a huge nose tackle with physicality, but his production never matched his traits. The same is true of Walker, who has true tackle ability but poor technique. With good coaching, both of them have sky-high potential. - San Francisco 49ers – G Spencer Buford, UTSA (4-134); CB Samuel Womack, Toledo (5-172); OT Nick Zakelj, Fordham (6-187*); DT Kalia Davis, Central Florida (6-220); CB Tariq Castro-Fields, Penn State (6-221); QB Brock Purdy, Iowa State (7-262): B+
A good bounce-back day for SF. Buford and Zakelj are good depth pieces for the offensive line that were both drafted a round too late. Davis had a knee injury in his final season, which sunk his stock, but he’s a big run stuffer in a division with teams that like to run. Womack is not someone I expected to come off the board, but it’s a 5th round pick so the cost was low. Castro-Fields is a steal. It wasn’t too long ago that he had 1st- and 2nd-round projections. If he improves his instincts and technique, he’s got high-end starter ability. Purdy was a throw-away pick, but selecting Mr. Irrelevant is always fun. - Kansas City Chiefs – CB Joshua Williams, Fayetteville State (4-130); G Darian Kinnard, Kentucky (5-145↑); CB Jaylen Watson, Washington State (7-243*); RB Isaih Pacheco, Rutgers (7-251); CB Nazeeh Johnson, Marshall (7-259): C
KC had a mix of value picks and bad reaches. Williams could have been chosen earlier, as could Watson. Both will help a porous secondary. Kinnard required a trade-up, but I had a second-round grade on him. He probably has to kick inside, but he’s a rugged player. Pacheco and Johnson were never considered draftable prospects, but I don’t penalize those heavily in round 7. - Cincinnati Bengals – OT/G Cordell Volson, North Dakota State (4-136); S Tycen Anderson, Toledo (5-166↑); DE/OLB Jeffrey Gunter, Coastal Carolina (7-252): A
Good work overall by the Bengals. All 3 of their picks serve a purpose. Volson is a college tackle that will likely move inside due to arm length deficiencies, but he’s a top FCS player, and the team needs as many linemen as possible. Burrow cannot continue to suffer. Anderson is a nice player for the secondary, though I don’t see a ton of playing time in his future unless Jessie Bates departs next offseason. Gunter is a productive edge rusher that qualifies as a good flier at a position of need. - Los Angeles Rams – CB Decobie Durant, South Carolina State (4-142); RB Kyren Williams, Notre Dame (5-164); S Quentin Lake, UCLA (6-211); CB Derion Kendrick, Georgia (6-212); DE Daniel Hardy, Montana State (7-235); S Russ Yeast, Kansas State (7-253); OT AJ Arcuri, Michigan State (7-261): C
The Rams did better work late on day 3 than they did in the 4th and 5th rounds. Durant showed potential at the FCS level, but he’s raw and this was probably early for him. Williams was not on my draft board. The media loves him, but I don’t think he’s above average in any phase of the game. He even got benched at Notre Dame early in his career. Lake is a better projection. He produced well in the PAC-12. Kendrick left Clemson due to character concerns, but if those are in his past, he offers very high, starting-level upside. Hardy is another FCS player with potential, so a 7th rounder is appropriate. I didn’t consider mocking Yeast, but who cares in round 7. Arcuri was solid in college, but I’m not sure of his fit at the next level.