The first three rounds of the NFL Draft are in the books, and the core of each team’s draft classes have been formed. But Day 3 holds a lot of gems each year, from surprise stars to quality starters to long-term backups and special teamers. General managers set themselves apart with their ability to draft on Day 3, and team depth often relies on these players.
This year, in particular, there’s a strong group still on the board entering Day 3. This draft class was weaker at the top, but the depth is exceptionally strong, and there are still plenty of starting-caliber players available entering Round 4. Here are my top 40, based on my pre-draft top 150 big board:
1: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Sanders was No. 30 on my pre-draft big board. I saw him as a borderline first-round pick based on the tape. He should have been drafted by now. The fact that he’ll be QB6, at best, is an anomaly. It genuinely raises the question of if he’ll be drafted at all. Plenty of teams seem to have him off their board entirely. He’s the biggest story entering Round 4, and by all accounts he’s a good kid.
2: Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
A disciplined route-runner with size, Ayomanor is physical at the catch point and plays strong through contact. He doesn’t generate a ton of separation, but he can take the top off a defense.
3: Marcus Mbow, G, Purdue
Mbow might be the only player in this draft who can comfortably play all five spots along the offensive line. Length limitations likely push him inside, but he’s a smooth athlete with incredible range in his movement.
4: Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech
The fastest running back in this class, Tuten puts stress on the defense on every snap. He can operate in traffic or in space, and is capable catching passes out of the backfield.
5: Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee
A speedster back with a great tackle-breaking profile, Sampson is one of the most dynamic playmakers in this draft. His speed is legitimately transformative to an offense.
6: DJ Giddens, RB, Kansas State
A versatile running back who tested well at the Combine, Giddens is a three-down NFL back who can lead a committee. I like his ability to break tackles and earn tough yards.
7: Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State
An elite deep threat with an impressive route tree, Royals profiles as a high-ceiling WR2 or WR3. He threatens the defense on every snap.
8: Cody Simon, LB, Ohio State
A thumper of a run defender, Simon excels in underneath coverage. He’s versatile and I like his chances to start in the league.
9: Bradyn Swinson, ED, LSU
Swinson is a powerful edge defender with the speed to threaten the outside shoulder of every tackle he faces. The moves he puts on offensive linemen leave them grasping for air.
10: Antwaun Powell-Ryland, ED, Virginia Tech
A refined pass rusher with eye-catching production, Powell-Ryland surprised many with his athletic testing. He’s a dynamic designated pass rusher who could outperform his draft stock.
11: Mitchell Evans, TE, Notre Dame
A versatile tight end who helped Notre Dame reach the College Football Playoff National Championship, Evans produces in both phases of the offense. He’s a weapon over the middle of the field and excels as an in-line blocker.
12: Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon
His athletic testing meant he wouldn’t go before Day 3, but Johnson will be a steal whenever he’s taken. He’s a slot weapon who can win downfield and beat press coverage.
13: Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State
A college football fan favorite, Skattebo’s fit in the NFL isn’t clean. But he’s a tough runner who adds value in pass protection and as a receiver.
14: Brashard Smith, RB, SMU
A receiving back, Smith is a speedy backfield weapon. He profiles best as a third-down back who adds some red-zone value.
15: Logan Brown, OT, Kansas
An exceptional athlete, Brown has an extensive injury history and a long college career. But he had a great 2024 season and projects as having a high ceiling.
16: Luke Kandra, G, Cincinnati
I still think Kandra is a plug-and-play starter at guard in the NFL. He moves well and can adapt to a variety of schemes.
17: Jordan James, RB, Oregon
James is an undersized back with limited receiving ability, which is why he’s still available. But he stretches a defense and is powerful up the middle.
18: Zy Alexander, CB, LSU
Even though he didn’t test well, I love Alexander in zone schemes. Let him play off-coverage and read the quarterback and watch the ball production rack up.
19: Damien Martinez, RB, Miami
A lot of running backs in my top remaining. Martinez is a quality early-down back who can generate tough yards between the tackles.
20: Lathan Ransom, S, Ohio State
A box safety, Ransom is at his best stuffing the run. He can take on underneath coverage assignments and is a sure tackler.
21: Clay Webb, G, Jacksonville State
Webb is undersized but he plays hard and is an exceptional run blocker. He could compete for a starting spot right away.
22: Dorian Strong, CB, Virginia Tech
Even though he doesn’t have the long speed you want from your press-man corners, Strong is physical and cerebral. He can cover outside or in the slot at a high level.
23: Jeffrey Bassa, LB, Oregon
A coverage specialist, Bassa offers a lot of upside. He can get washed out in run defense, but his versatility in coverage is unique.
24: Aeneas Peebles, DT, Virginia Tech
Peebles is an outlier at his size. He’s not an every-down player, but he’s an insane pass-rusher who generates pressure at a high rate.
25: Kyle Kennard, ED, South Carolina
One of the best defenders in college football last year, Kennard lacks elite bend. He makes up for that with exceptional speed off the edge and high-level production.
26: Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
At one time, Carter was viewed as a potential first-round pick. Now, he’s a high-upside coverage linebacker with a run defense floor.
27: Raheim Sanders, RB, South Carolina
A powerful between-the-tackles runner, Sanders is explosive off his first cut. He doesn’t generate a ton of missed tackles and has questionable hands, but he can get upfield in a hurry.
28: Miles Frazier, G, LSU
An athletic, versatile guard, Frazier as considerable upside. Though he lacks strength in the run game, Frazier is a high-upside pass protector.
29: Jack Sawyer, ED, Ohio State
Sawyer lacks the length and bend to be a difference-maker. But he has a high floor as a run defender and continued to produce for the Buckeyes despite his limitations.
30: Chris Paul Jr., LB, Ole Miss
“Pooh” Paul, as he’s called, has three-down starter upside in the NFL. He’s a pro at his run fits with some versatility in coverage.
31: Ahmed Hassanein, ED, Boise State
An athletic edge rusher from Cairo, Hassanein is still new to the sport of football. He plays leverage well and has quick feet.
32: Gunnar Helm, TE, Texas
A receiving tight end with odd testing numbers, Helm is a work-in-progress in the league. The potential upside he has up the seams has value.
33: Jake Majors, C, Texas
A rock-solid center prospect, Majors is a veteran with a lot of football under his belt. He’s an athlete with upside in pass protection.
34: Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
A developmental quarterback prospect, Ewers has an unorthodox throwing motion that leads to inaccuracy. But he has natural arm talent with the frame that NFL teams gravitate towards.
35: CJ West, DT, Indiana
An undersized defensive tackle, West is a pro at defending the run. He uses his natural leverage well to get under the offensive lineman’s pads and neutralize his advantages.
36: Kobe Hudson, WR, Central Florida
A versatile slot receiver, Hudson runs a diverse route tree and is a reliable possession receiver. He’s a limited athlete but he can move the chains on offense.
37: Ajani Cornelius, OT, Oregon
With a wealth of college experience, Cornelius is the perfect NFL backup. He’s flexible in his movement and can play both sides of the line.
38: LeQuint Allen, RB, Syracuse
A third-down back who showed out at the Senior Bowl, Allen is a fan-favorite for a reason. He offers upside in the receiving game and converts at the goal line.
39: Billy Bowman Jr., S, Oklahoma
A rangy safety, Bowman is a gambler who gets burned on the back-end at times. He plays with his hair on fire and makes plays all over the defense.
40: Kobe King, LB, Penn State
Twin brother of Packers CB Kalen King, Kobe is a rock-solid run defender. He’s more limited in coverage but within the box, few escape his grasp.
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