Welcome to Round 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft. I previously graded Round 1 and 2, so let’s keep it going with Round 3.
As always, If I give a HACKENBERG Grade, that is a failing grade. I call it a HACKENBERG as a reminder of former Jets prospect Christian Hackenberg who is the worst draft choice in New York Jets History.
I am going to even Bold it as last year I got a lot of people tweeting at me that I was a moron, stupid, and every word in the book for grading players a HACKENBERG. Heck, I even got threats because of it. All because they thought I was comparing Anthony Richardson to Christian Hackenberg. Again this was over a simple draft grade on one player.
Let’s get right into the grades with the New York Jets now on the clock.
65. New York Jets (From Carolina Panthers): WR Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky – Grade A+
Absolutely the right choice here. Corey was one of the receivers I wanted the New York Jets to draft and I am shocked he fell out of the second round. The Jets traded up and they got the guy that has the potential to be a Deebo Samuel-type player. Heck, he can even be used at running back too, so he can be a Swiss army knife type player. The Jets also desperately needed to get a receiver in this draft and Corley provides another downfield playmaker for Rodgers to throw too. Not bad Joe Douglas. Not bad at all, Here is an A+ Grade.
66. Arizona Cardinals – RB Trey Benson, Florida State Grade A
Benson was arguably the best running back on the board and besides James Conner the Cardinals don’t have much behind him and could use an upgrade. Benson is a nice insurance policy for Connor and Benson has potential to be a nice 3rd down back for Arizona. This is nice value for Benson too at round 3, so this is a thumbs up pick.
67. Washington Commanders – OG/T Brandon Coleman, TCU Grade B+
Not bad, I had Coleman going around this spot and the Commanders did need some offensive lineman. My one nitpick is that the Commanders needed a left tackle, and I don’t see Coleman fitting well at left tackle. He is more of a right tackle, but I think if the Commanders are smart, he would be used at guard. However his versatility was tempting and protecting the QB is never a bad idea.
68. New England Patriots – OT Caeden Wallace, Penn State – Grade D
Ehh, not a big fan of this pick. I mean Wallace is a fine prospect, but I have many concerns with this pick, but there are two main issues with him. First is that he does not have a lot of position versatility as I see him strictly as a right tackle., Second is that Wallace does not have the best posture when in his blocking position, along with his sloppy footwork. This is not a HACKENBERG grade, because it fills a need and Wallace does show flashes, but I saw him as a 4th/5th round prospect.
69. Los Angeles Chargers – LB Junior Colson, Michigan – Grade A+
Ahh the Chip Kelly approach. When college coaches come to the NFL and draft there players from there college teams. its a smart idea and I like it when coaches do this. Well John Harbaugh did it here and I love who they took. Junior Colson was my 3rrd ranked linebacker on the board and while Payton Wilson was the better prospect overall, Golson will fit so well with the team. Not only on Harbaugh’s defense, but with the culture of that team and the locker room. Well done Chargers have an A+ grade.
70. New York Giants – CB Andru Philips, Kentucky – Grade HACKENBERG
In the 3rd Round? I had Andru Philps as a 6th/7th round prospect and I get this fills a need, but there were much better prospects on the board. Philips is super lackluster in coverage excluding Zone Coverage, he is not the best at recovering when making a mistake, is too handsy, and does not have strong awareness. He was also falling off of multiple draft boards, but I guess the Giants did not feel that way.
71. Arizona Cardinals (from Tennessee Titans) – OG Isaiah Adams, Illinois Grade C+
Cardinals need offensive line help and especially at guard. Isaiah Adams is a solid choice and while a little early as I had him as a late 3rd Round prospect, it is understanding . Adams fills a need and if they want, he could work at tackle if the Cardinals are derailed with injuries. Protecting Kyler Murray is key and this pick can help doing that.
72. Carolina Panthers (from New York Jets) – LB Trevin Wallace, Kentucky – Grade A
This is the Frankie Luvu replacement on defense. While I would rather have Payton Wilson here, Wallace is a solid choice too. He was my 4th ranked linebacker overall in this class and I had him going in round 3. This dude is super athletic and he can really have an immediate impact on a mediocre Panthers defense. It will be interesting if he gets put at inside linebacker or outside linebacker, because he can be used either or.
73. Dallas Cowboys (via Detroit Lions, From Minnesota Vikings) – OG Cooper Beebe Kansas State – Grade A
At one point I had heard a rumor from a close source that the Seahawks once considered drafting him in Round 1. But then teams got cold feet on him and there was also an injury question mark with Beebe. Plus Beebe is a strict guard with how inconsistent he is as a pass blocker, so the position versatility is not there. With how good of a run blocker he is, he is worth a mid round selection at this choice. Also Dallas needed interior o-line depth, so this pick makes sense.
74. Atlanta Falcons – DE/EDGE Bralen Trice, Washington Grade B+
Finally a pick Atlanta made that actually makes sense. They whiffed on there first two selections in this draft, but not here. They desperately need a pass rusher on there awful defense and Bralen Trice is the best one on the board. In fact I had him going in round two because he has such strong pass rushing skills. He is definitely an upgrade compared to what they had.
75. Chicago Bears – OT Kiran Amegadjie, Yale – Grade A
The Bears don’t need a tackle here as they have Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright, Amegadjie is way too good to pass on at this spot. He is more of a project offensive lineman prospect, but he has a ton of potential. Never hurts too to have depth at offensive line to help protect Caleb Williams. I don’t see Amegadjie going to guard, but he is a nice plan B if injuries occur.
76. Denver Broncos – DE/EDGE Jonah Ellis, Utah – Grade B+
Broncos needed pass rushing help bad and I was surprised they passed on one in Round 1. Elis is a very intruiging prospect and while he is undersized, he has so much potential with his pass rushing moves and he is a great tackler. In Round 3 is where he was expected to go and it makes sense he went to Denver. This fills a big need for Denver and Ellis has potential.
77. Las Vegas Raiders – OT Delmar Gaze Grade D
Definitely early for Gaze to be drafted. I had him as a strict 5th round prospect . Especially as I see him as a backup swing tackle and he does not have any position versatility. The Raiders offensive line needed some depth at tackle and he has solid awareness as a pass blocker. So, it won’t be a Hackenberg Grade, but I feel a D grade here makes sense for a player that needs improvement as a run blocker,.
78. Houston Texans (via Philadelphia Eagles, via Washington Commanders, from Seattle Seahawks) – S Caden Bullock, USC – Grade A
Well this is an interesting pick. Safety was not a tremendous need for Houston, but bolstering it is a really good idea. Not only with how the AFC South got more talented at wide receiver, but there secondary was notably weaker in the instinct department. Who can help change that, Caden Bullock who stands out with his strong instincts. Plus Bullock was the best player on the board at safety in my opinion and he should be a nice fit on this team.
79. Indianapolis Colts (via Arizona Cardinals, via Atlanta Falcons, from Jacksonville Jaguars) – OT/G Matt Goncalves, Pittsburgh – Grade A
Colts trading up and getting more protection for Anthony Richardson. I will never fault an NFL team for doing this because it is smart. Goncalves is actually a really nice pick because I can see him being used at Guard as well and the Colts o-line depth isn’t great. In fact Goncalves is a sleeper at getting a starting role because he is a really underrated blocker and has the nasty mentality that you want in an offensive lineman. The one main negative with Goncalves is he needs to have a quicker reaction time when defensive players blitz. Besides that he has a really high celling.
80. Cincinnati Bengals – WR Jermaine Burton, Alabama – Grade A-
If it was not for the character concerns and off the field issues, Burton would have been a much higher draft pick. He is such a great talent on the field as he is a smooth route runner, nice hands, and is athletic. Cincinnati also needs wide receiver depth as well due to free agents, along with Tee Higgins requesting to be traded. He has a big opportunity, but he needs to mature if he wants to play in this league long term and fit in the culture with the team.
81. Seattle Seahawks (via Denver Broncos, From New Orleans Saints) – Christian Haynes, G, Connecticut, Grade A
Yep, this pick had to be made for Seattle. Not only did they desperately need a guard, but Hayes was the best guard on the board that I was surprised did not get drafted in Round 2. While he does not have the size that you want in a blocker, what he does have is the Nasty Mentality, Posture, and smooth footwork that you want in a blocker. He just needs to be more consistent and work on his pass blocking. Besides that this is a really solid pick.
82. Arizona Cardinals (from Indianapolis Colts) – TE Tip Reiman, Illinois – Grade HACKENBERG
Huh? I had Reiman going undrafted. Why did the Cardinals use a 3rd Round Pick on him? Its not just that, Tight End was not even a tremendous need for Arizona too and there were much better prospects on the board at the Tight End position. This is a perplexing draft choice and I like what Monti Ossenfort is doing in Arizona. This is the first headscratcher for the Cardinals, and yes its getting the HACKENBERG grade.
83. Los Angeles Rams – RB Blake Corum, Michigan – Grade A-
Yeah, this pick is telling towards level of confidence the Rams have with Kyren Williams durability. Plus even if he is healthy, the rams options behind him are super lackluster. I was really high on Blake Corum coming into the daft and I debated ranking him over Trey Bensen. Rewatching his tape, he has really strong vision, is a willing blocker, and is athletic. It also helps that he is versatile as a running back in zone and power schemes.
You can tell that I am a big Blake Corum guy, but a big issue with Corum is his consistency especially as a power runner. Obverall though this is a really nice pick for the Rams to make and this gives Stafford another weapon to utilize.
84. Pittsburgh Steelers – WR Roman Wilson, Michigan – Grade A+
Of course the Steelers get Roman Wilson. Every single year they get a prospect who has fallen in the draft and is the best play available at wide receiver. They always knock it out of the park unless your James Washington. Roman Wilson is such a stud receiver. He may not have the greatest frame, but he has such a great catch radius and he has a ton of sped. This is a grand slam home run pick by the Steelers, and I would absolutely consider taking him in Dynasty Drafts.
85. Cleveland Browns – G Zak Zinter, Michigan Grade A-
Back to back to back Michigan prospects have been selected. That is crazy and I can’t remember the last time this happened. and all of them are getting grades that at least have the letter A. Cleveland needed interior offensive lineman and while last season injuries derailed the team, even when healthy the interior o-line was sloppy. While Zinter has injury concerns, when healthy he is a really good interior blocker.
86. San Francisco 49ers (via Houston Texans, from Philadelphia Eagles) – OG/T Dominik Puni, Kansas – Grade B
Makes sense. The 49ers could use some more depth within the interior o-line. I could even see him playing at right tackle as the 49ers have not had a fantastic one since Mike McGlinchey left years ago. He is a solid run blocker and pass blocker, but he needs to clean up his technique as he can get super sloppy.
87. Dallas Cowboys – LB Marist Liufau, Notre Dame – Grade A
The Cowboys lost Leighton Vander Esch due to retiring due to his constant neck issues. They needed to find a replacement for him and they did pretty much nothing except for signing Eric Kendricks. Kendricks is still a solid player, but he is not the future. So, its not a surprise the Cowboys took a linebacker here and Liufau is a nice choice. With his athleticism, there is a ton of potential in Liufau if he can clean up his coverage skills.
88. Green Bay Packers – RB MarShawn Lloyd, USC – Grade B+
Am I crazy saying that I think Lloyd is an upgrade over A.J. Dillion? I think he is as Dillion has struggled the past season and since Josh Jacobs was signed, there going to need a dependable option behind him. Yes I know Dillion had 613 rushing yards, but there were more negatives with his play then positives.
As for Lloyd, this is a perfect scheme fit and when looking at Lloyd’s tape, he fits this offense well. Especially with how tough and explosive he is as a runs as a power runner. he even can be a nice option for Jordan Love to throw too as he is a really solid pass rusher. I would keep my eye on him Packers fans, because he has potential to be a really solid weapon.
89. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – S/CB Tykee Smith, Georgia B-
I would rather have Kameron Kitchens at this spot, but Tykee Smith is fine too. Especially with his versatility on defense as he can be played at cornerback and safety. His instincts really make him shine as well as long with his tackling ability. His size is going to limit him in the NFL and his coverage skills need to be more consistent when defending the pass.
90. Arizona Cardinals (from Houston Texans) – CB Elijah Jones, Boston College Grade D
Oh come on Arizona, what happened to making the logical draft choice here. Okay, this is not bad as the Tip Reiman selection as at least I had Jones ranked. However I had Jones as a strict Day 3 prospect. His hip fluidity and recovery after mistakes really concerns me. If Arizona was smart too I would avoid having Jones in man to man coverage as he struggles the most there. He has potential in the slot and zone though, and shows flashes with his ball skills. Arizona did need a cornerback, but there were much better options.
91. Green Bay Packers (from Buffalo Bills) – LB Ty’Ron Hoppe, Missouri
Over Payton Wilson? Look Hoppe is a solid prospect and the Packers did need some linebacker help, but he is not as good as Wilson is. His injury issues must be that bad for the Packers to pass on him.
As for Hoppe this is an intriguing pick, but I have two big concerns with him. First is he lacks strength and the second is that he is terrible in zone coverage. Besides that he has potential to be a piece on the Packers young defense and heck could even help contribute on special teams.
92. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (From Detroit Lions) – WR Jalen McMillian, Washington Grade B+
Makes sense, McMillian was the best receiver on the board and Tampa needed some wide receiver depth. I really liked McMillian heading into this draft and at one point in time potentially saw him going in round 1. However the Injury concerns in 2023 really dropped him and he is not the most physical receiver when dealing with content after the hit. Overall though the potential is still there and if McMillian stays healthy, then he should be another solid target for Baker Mayfield to throw too.
93. Baltimore Ravens – DE/EDGE Adisa Isaac, Penn State Grade A
This is the Jadeveon Clowney replacement on defense. Baltimore no matter what was going to select a pass rusher, but we just did not know which round he was going to be take. I had Issac going in round 3 with his smooth pass rushing abilities, so this makes sense for Baltimore to go in this direction as they need to get more pressure on Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow. Now, Isaac is not the most flexible player and lacks awareness, but his lateral agility and bull rushing technique is just too good to pass on.
94. Philadelphia Eagles (From San Francisco 49ers) – DE/EDGE Jalyx Hunt, Houston Christian A-
Hunt was the last pass rusher I had as a Round 3/4 grade. The next best pass rusher I had a 5th round draft grade and Philadelphia needed depth at pass rusher. He has a ton of upside with his athleticism and frame, but he is going to need time to develop as he is super raw. For the 3rd round though, it makes sense for Philadelphia to pick him here.
95. Buffalo Bills (From Kansas City Chiefs) – DT Dwayne Carter, Duke Grade B+
That’s funny, I had Dwayne Carter’s best fit being with the Buffalo Bills. This pick makes a ton of sense with the woes that there defensive line depth is. Carter is a strong run stopper and can make an impact immediately for this team. He does need to get better at rushing the passer, but Buffalo needed more run stoppers and in time Carter could get better in time. In the 3rd round its good value.
96 Jacksonville Jaguars – CB Jarrian Jones, Florida State – Grade D
Ehh, not a fan of this pick. Jarrian Jones is too raw of a prospect for me to take in Round 3. He’s got athleticism and his speed is really intriguing too. But besides him in Zone Coverage, he really struggles in man to man and his tackling is sloppy. Jones is also an older prospect as he is going to turn 23 in May, but if he can clean up his coverage woes, he should help improve the secondary.
97. Cincinnati Bengals – DT McKinnley Jackson, Texas A&M – Grade D
I get why the Bengals went in this direction, but I had McKinnley as a 5th round prospect. I won’t give it a HACKENBERG grade as McKinnley is a decent run stopper and the Bengalis needed a defensive tackle, badly. However there were much better options. Here is the problem with McKinnley, he is terrible as a pass rusher and he has dealt with elbow issues the past few issues. He will likely be a rotational player in the Bengals, but maybe in time if he can improve his pass rushing skills, he could be a starter.
98. Pittsburgh Steelers (From Philadelphia Eagles) – LB Payton Wilson, NC State Grade A+
Its about freaking time Payton Wilson got selected. He fell due to injury concerns, but when healthy he is easily the best linebacker in the draft. I get why he fell, but it is worth the risk to have taken him earlier in the draft. In Round 3 makes it a bigger steal and the Steelers get an A+ with this pick.
99. Los Angeles Rams – S Kameron Kitchens, Miami Grade B+
Definitely a surprise seeing Kitchens drop to Round 3 as I had him as a 2nd round prospect in this draft. There were questions regarding his durability and that might have caused him to fall. However the Rams really needed secondary help and could use an upgrade at safety and Kitchens can be that upgrade. Definitely good value for a 3rd round pick.
100. Washington Commanders (From San Francisco 49ers) – WR Luke McCaffery, Rice C
Over Troy Franklin, Devontez Walker, and Javon Baker? Now that is interesting that the Commanders decided to take Christian McCaffery’s brother at this spot. I get it as the Commanders needed a receiver and this feels like the Curtis Samuel replacement on the offense. However, Luke McCaffery is more of a project prospect as he is still raw and needs to improve his burst. He is going to need work, but don’t be surprised to see him be a part on the offense with how bad the receiving core is excluding Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson
So, those are my grades for Round 3. Do you agree? Let me know in the comment section and don’t forget to check out other articles on this platform.
