NFL Draft 2018: Instant grades, reactions for every Day 3 pick
The 2018 NFL Draft will come to a close on Saturday afternoon with Rounds 4-7 taking place, and we have instant grades and reactions for each pick.
We’re finally on the back half (so to speak) of the 2018 NFL Draft. The first two days of the draft are often exhausting to a degree, especially when you have the amount of trades and unexpected picks that we’ve seen throughout the first three rounds on Thursday and Friday. Now Saturday has arrived and the draft will give us a matinee.
This afternoon show from the 2018 NFL Draft will bring us Rounds 4-7 in the draft. As you’d expect, the guys who are looked upon as franchise-changing players aren’t on the board anymore. That’s not what front offices are looking for at this point, however.
Instead, these teams are trying to find players with some talent that they can use to fit a hole. Whether that hole will be completely filled remains irrelevant — it’s all about making the puzzle come together to form the complete picture. These late-round picks are integral to making that happen in the NFL.
And if you happen upon a star in this part of the draft, that’s even better.
But before we see any of that happen, we have to look at the player, the fit and the pick and assess everything immediately. That’s what we’ll do here with instant grades and reactions for every pick on Day 3 of the 2018 NFL Draft. The Carolina Panthers are on the clock with pick 101.
Round 4
101. Carolina Panthers: Ian Thomas, TE, Indiana
Even though the Panthers locked up Greg Olsen to his extension, they need a future and depth at the position. Thomas has a lot of upside and Carolina can develop him behind Olsen.
Grade: B+
102. Minnesota Vikings: Jalyn Holmes, DE, Ohio State
This is a nice pick for the Vikings in terms of talent as he can be a rotational piece with upside on the defense. However, the failure to address the interior offensive line remains concerning.
Grade: C+
103. Houston Texans: Keke Coutee, WR, Texas Tech
Speed kills and the Texans just got a lot more of it with Coutee. While undersized, he can be a downfield threat out of the slot that gives Deshaun Watson another weapon. However, it’s another team that should be looking O-line and doesn’t.
Grade: C
104. Indianapolis Colts: Nyheim Hines, RB, NC State
There are bigger needs on the Colts than a scat back, but Hines is a nice player that could help Andrew Luck out of the backfield, so it’s not a complete waste.
Grade: C-
105. Cleveland Browns: Antonio Callaway, WR, Florida
Antonio Callaway’s red flags are huge with suspensions at Florida and a failed drug test at the Combine. But he can play and maybe the Browns believe in that enough to take the risk. This is high for me though.
Grade: C
106. Denver Broncos: Josey Jewell, LB, Iowa
While Jewell isn’t an unreal athlete, he’s a productive college player and he’s not a horrible athlete. The Broncos need depth at linebacker and he provides that much.
Grade: B+
107. New York Jets: Chris Herndon, TE, Miami (FL)
Sure, the Jets needed to address tight end in this draft, but they needed to do so wisely and that is not doing that. There’s upside with Herndon, but I don’t like the pick as it’s a reach with other needs being present.
Grade: C-
108. New York Giants: Kyle Lauletta, QB, Richmond
The Giants need a successor to Eli Manning and Lauletta may be it. It’s always a gamble at this point, especially with a small-school product with flaws, but it’s a risk that has to be taken at some point and Round 4 isn’t bad.
Grade: B
109. Washington Redskins: Troy Apke, S, Penn State
Apke has talent, but Marcus Allen would have been a better fit and the better player for the Redskins to take here. Not a huge fan of the selection.
Grade: C
110. Oakland Raiders: Nick Nelson, CB, Wisconsin
Nelson isn’t a perfect player, but he’s a physical corner that can play in sub-packages right away for Oakland. One of the first picks that isn’t horrible for the Raiders.
Grade: B+
111. Los Angeles Rams: Brian Allen, C, Michigan State
It’s clear that the Rams are concerned with their offensive line and they stick with the plan here, getting a fine player that should be able to contribute now if called upon, but also that has upside.
Grade: B
112. Cincinnati Bengals: Mark Walton, RB, Miami (FL)
Walton is special when he’s healthy and showed that at Miami. Pairing him with Joe Mixon in this backfield makes things dangerous for the Bengals offense.
Grade: B-
113. Denver Broncos: DaeSean Hamilton, WR, Penn State
This pick would look a lot better without having taken Courtland Sutton earlier. There are still needs they must address on the offensive line and they simply have not.
Grade: D
114. Detroit Lions: Da’Shawn Hand, DE, Alabama
Detroit traded up to land this pick and they get a ton of upside. Hand had all of the hype coming into Tuscaloosa, but never lived up to it. Now he’ll try to realize that potential in the Motor City.
Grade: B
115. Chicago Bears: Joel Iyiegbuniwe, LB, Western Kentucky
The Bears are getting a freak athlete here, but I’m not sure what kind of role he’ll play for them. Perhaps they have faith to develop his athletic traits, but we’ll see.
Grade: C+
116. Dallas Cowboys: Dorance Armstrong Jr., EDGE, Kansas
Is this a pressing need for the Cowboys? Not at all. But this is a high-upside player that could make an impact rotationally and gives great value here.
Grade: B-
117. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jordan Whitehead, S, Pittsburgh
Another great value pick, but this time the Bucs get someone at a position of need unlike the Boys before them. Whitehead isn’t perfect, but he has starter upside.
Grade: B+
118. Baltimore Ravens: Anthony Averett, CB, Alabama.
They needed depth at cornerback and Averett has upside. Plus, would it really be a complete draft for Ozzie Newsome if he doesn’t take guys from Alabama?
Grade: B
119. Los Angeles Chargers: Kzyir White, S/LB, West Virginia
Great pick. White is a Day 2 player that slipped here and fills a huge need for the Chargers, pairing him with Derwin James. That’s versatility and playmaking on the back end.
Grade: B
120. Seattle Seahawks: Will Dissly, TE, Washington
I have given up hope that the Seahawks will make the right pick.
Grade: D
121. Buffalo Bills: Taron Johnson, CB, Weber State
Johnson isn’t a freak athlete, but he’s an inside corner that can do some nice things and has upside, despite playing at a small school in college.
Grade: B
122. Baltimore Ravens: Kenny Young, LB, UCLA
There’s athleticism to spare for Kenny Young, but he’s never put it all on the field at college. That’s the worry, but he might be worth the gamble.
Grade: C
123. Miami Dolphins: Durham Smythe, TE, Notre Dame
Durham Smythe is the best run-blocking tight end in this class, and pairs well with Mike Gesicki, who doesn’t block. The Dolphins have other holes, but they needed more than one tight end too.
Grade: B
124. Kansas City Chiefs: Armani Watts, S, Texas A&M
The good moments on Watts’ tape are unreal — but so too are the bad ones. If the Chiefs can get him right, he can be a beast at safety.
Grade: B
125. Philadelphia Eagles: Avonte Maddox, CB, Pittsburgh
While he might be small, Maddox has great athleticism and high-end potential. If they can hone in the mental aspects of his game, he can be a playmaker in the secondary.
Grade: B+
126. Atlanta Falcons: Ito Smith, RB, Southern Miss
Super confused about the what the Falcons are doing, but when you’re a good roster, you can make luxury picks and this is that. Smith is a role player on offense, but a talented one.
Grade: C+
127. New Orleans Saints: Rick Leonard, OT, Florida State
The size is there fore Leonard at tackle, but he’s not a can’t-miss prospect by any means. We’ll see what they’re able to do with him, but I’m not sure about this much of a reach.
Grade: C-
128. San Francisco 49ers: Kentavius Street, DE, NC State
Many have waited for the Niners to address their pass rush, and Street is a beast when healthy. However, he tore his ACL at a workout, but that could make him valuable down the line.
Grade: B
129. Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Richardson, OT, NC State
After taking defensive players, the Jags turn to their biggest need, offensive line help. Richardson has tackle and guard capability and could be an asset in terms of depth.
Grade: B+
130. Philadelphia Eagles: Josh Sweat, EDGE, Florida State
If Sweat’s medicals are okay, he’s an explosive player off of the edge. He joins a rotation in Philadelphia that is just ridiculous at this point.
Grade: B
131. Miami Dolphins: Kalen Ballage, RB, Arizona State
Ballage is one of the sleepers for many in this draft class, but he can flat-out play. He’s a pass catcher with size to be a runner more consistently, but he needs to reach his potential.
Grade: B+
132. Baltimore Ravens: Jaleel Scott, WR, New Mexico State
I love Jaleel Scott as a playmaker. I would also love him way more in the sixth round. And I’d love him more if the Ravens didn’t take two tight ends already in this draft.
Grade: C-
133. Green Bay Packers: J’Mon Moore, WR, Missouri
Moore is quite underrated because he’s not a burner, but he has NFL size and some talent to succeed right away. The Packers could make good use of his services in Green Bay.
Grade: B+
134. Arizona Cardinals: Chase Edmonds, RB, Fordham
Edmonds can really do-it-all at the running back position as he put up ridiculous production in FCS play. Though they get David Johnson back, they need depth behind him and get it here.
Grade: B
135. Los Angeles Rams: John Franklin-Myers, DL, Stephen F. Austin
There’s potential and versatility here, and while it’s a bit of a reach, you have to like the idea of Wade Phillips trying to milk that potential.
Grade: B-
136. Carolina Panthers: Marquis Haynes, EDGE, Ole Miss
This is an interesting player here who was an edge rusher in college, but is only 235 pounds. Even still, this is a player with strength and explosiveness that has upside, even if not fitting a real need.
Grade: C+
137. Dallas Cowboys: Dalton Schultz, TE, Stanford
With the retirement of Witten, this become an even more of a need. Schultz can block with the best of them, which is what the Cowboys need from him most. He’s not a great pass-catcher, but he can be something.
Grade: B
Round 5
138. Green Bay Packers: Cole Madison, OG, Washington State
Madison slides in to fill the massive hole at guard for the Packers and he’s a player capable of doing so. He’s not perfect, but he can be on the field soon and make an impact.
Grade: B+
139. New York Giants: R.J. McIntosh, DT, Miami (FL)
McIntosh is a good player, but Dave Gettleman must think that this Giants team is in a position to make luxury picks — they are not. This is horrible as they take another tackle.
Grade: F
140. Oakland Raiders: Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
If his heart condition checks out, this is huge for the Raiders. He’s a first-round talent and worth trading up for. Again, obvious risk, but I don’t hate this at all given the possible value.
Grade: A
141. Seattle Seahawks: Shaquem Griffin, LB, UCF
Finally Shaquem Griffin comes off the board, joining the same team as his brother in Seattle. He’s vastly underrated and is a player that could outright contribute to this defense.
Grade: A
142. San Francisco 49ers: D.J. Reed, CB, Kansas State
The 49ers needed depth at corner and they get a solid athlete to help address that here. Reed isn’t spectacular, but can make an impact.
Grade: B-
143. New England Patriots: Ja’whaun Bentley, LB, Purdue
Bentley’s not a freak and I’m not huge on this pick, but it’s clear that the Patriots are addressing a defense, which isn’t a bad thing.
Grade: C+
144. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Justin Watson, WR, Penn
Watson has some things going for him, but he really needs to find the right offense. He could carve out a WR4 role in Tampa who needs a little depth at that spot.
Grade: B-
145. Chicago Bears: Bilal Nichols, DL, Delaware
Nichols brings some versatility and depth the defensive front in Chicago, but I’m not sure about this player overall. This feels like a misfire to me.
Grade: D
146. Seattle Seahawks: Tre Flowers, S, Oklahoma State
A tackling machine with great size, Flowers has upside. He seems perfect for the Seahawks defense as the type of dude that they make a living off of developing into a good player.
Grade: B+
147. Los Angeles Rams: Micah Kiser, LB, Virginia
Love this pick for the Rams. They badly needed depth and talent at linebacker and Kiser brings that as a tackling monster who just happens to be undersized and not an unreal athlete. He can contribute, however.
Grade: A
148. Pittsburgh Steelers: Marcus Allen, S, Penn State
Taking Terrell Edmunds would’ve been good here, but instead they reach four rounds on him and take another box safety at No. 148 as well. What are you even doing, Pittsburgh.
Grade: F
149. Seattle Seahawks: Michael Dickson, P, Texas
While taking a punter in the fifth round is a bold move, Michael Dickson is an absolute beast that can make plays happen on special teams. This is fine.
Grade: B-
150. Cleveland Browns: Genard Avery, LB, Memphis
Avery is a physical freak and a guy I would’ve been fine selecting in the third round of the NFL Draft. This is terrific value that offers more versatility to the Cleveland defense.
Grade: A-
151. Cincinnati Bengals: Davontae Harris, CB, Illinois State
Another solid depth move, the Bengals move to the beat of their own drum when it comes to the draft and have here. But Harris is a solid player that can give them something.
Grade: B-
152. Tennessee Titans: Dane Cruikshank, S, Arizona
Cruikshank is a big-bodied sleeper that many liked, including the Titans apparently as they traded up to nab him. He provides depth where they need it.
Grade: B
153. Detroit Lions: Tyrell Crosby, OT, Oregon
Great pick. He’s a Round 3 talent and the Lions need offensive line depth. This is just a fantastic move for them.
Grade: A
154. Buffalo Bills: Siran Neal, S, Jacksonville State
Siran Neal isn’t an all-around player, but he has thumper tendencies, and could fit with this team quite well and their new-fangled, athletic defense.
Grade: B-
155. Los Angeles Chargers: Scott Quessenberry, OL, UCLA
Quessenberry is honestly a better overall prospect than Kolton Miller and this is a nice pick to add depth to the line in LA.
Grade: B+
156. Denver Broncos: Troy Fumagalli, TE, Wisconsin
Fumagalli is a pass-catching threat and gives the team depth at a position where they could use it. It’s a hit to them that Quessenberry was already off the board, though.
Grade: B-
157. Minnesota Vikings: Tyler Conklin, TE, Central Michigan
Conklin is a nice athlete with upside, but he needs some development overall. Luckily, he can do that in Minnesota.
Grade: C+
158. Cincinnati Bengals: Andrew Brown, DT, Virginia
A lot of people love Brown and he certainly has some moments on film. And the Bengals keep just adding talent to their defense for whatever reasons they deem fit.
Grade: C+
159. Indianapolis Colts: Daurice Fountain, WR, Northern Iowa
Love this pick a ton. This gives the Colts a big-bodied target that is not on their roster right now. He’s got tremendous upside and will make plays sooner rather than later.
Grade: A-
160. Los Angeles Rams: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, EDGE, Oklahoma
They needed depth on the edge and, though undersized, the former Sooner has mad upside for this team.
Grade: A
161. Carolina Panthers: Jermaine Carter, LB, Maryland
Depth at linebacker is vital for this defense and Carter is an athletic body, though a reach.
Grade: C
162. Baltimore Ravens: Jordan Lasley, WR, UCLA
Lasley has talent, but I have no idea what the Ravens are doing in this draft.
Grade: D
163. Washington Redskins: Tim Settle, DT, Virginia Tech
Even after taking Da’Ron Payne in Round 1, they still need depth up front and Settle is a beast when he’s in shape.
Grade: B+
164. New Orleans Saints: Natrell Jamerson, S, Wisconsin
Depth on defense that is good, but needs bodies in there. Jamerson isn’t great, but he’s fine.
Grade: C+
165. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jaylen Samuels, TE, NC State
Nope. The Steelers need to go home.
Grade: D
166. Buffalo Bills: Wyatt Teller, OG, Virginia Tech
Love this pick for the Bills as they need offensive line depth on the interior and Teller is a vastly underrated player.
Grade: A
167. Minnesota Vikings: Daniel Carlson, K, Auburn
Carlson can help the Vikings’ issues with kicking in recent years as he’s a beast.
Grade: B
168. Seattle Seahawks: Jamarco Jones, OT, Ohio State
OH MY GOD, THE SEAHAWKS DRAFTED A LINEMAN WHO’S GOOD!
Grade: A
169. Indianapolis Colts: Jordan Wilkins, RB, Ole Miss
The Colts have more needs than a running back who was likely going to go undrafted.
Grade: D
170. Cincinnati Bengals: Darius Phillips, CB, Western Michigan
The size and athleticism are there for Phillips, but he needs to work on his tackling. Still, upside here for the Bengals.
Grade: B-
171. Dallas Cowboys: Mike White, QB, Western Kentucky
White has a monster arm and the Cowboys have Cooper Rush as a backup quarterback. Yeah, this is fine for them.
Grade: B
172. Green Bay Packers: JK Scott, P, Alabama
Round 5 — the round of the punters.
Grade: B-
173. Oakland Raiders: Johnny Townsend, P, Florida
See, more punters. But with Marquette King gone, they need to fill that hole.
Grade: B+
174. Green Bay Packers: Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, South Florida
Don’t take an undrafted guy in the fifth round. This is my advice to NFL teams.
Grade: F
Round 6
175. Cleveland Browns: Damion Ratley, WR, Texas A&M
He’s a deep threat, without question. However, Ratley seems like an odd pick for Cleveland.
Grade: C-
176. Los Angeles Rams: John Kelly, RB, Tennessee
Getting someone behind Todd Gurley isn’t the worst idea for the Rams.
Grade: B-
177. Houston Texans: Duke Ejiofor, EDGE, Wake Forest
Adding to the defense makes them dangerous and Ejiofor can play, but they need more O-line help.
Grade: C+
178. New England Patriots: Christian Sam, LB, Arizona State
More linebacker depth and perhaps the best guy they’ve taken at the position yet. A nice value pick.
Grade: B+
179. New York Jets: Parry Nickerson, CB, Tulane
Terrific value and more talent coming onto a defense that needs it. Love this for the Jets.
Grade: A
180. New York Jets: Foley Fatukasi, DT, UConn
More depth up front for the Jets, though I would’ve preferred to see another position addressed than the nose.
Grade: B-
181. Chicago Bears: Kylie Fitts, EDGE, Utah
Fitts has a ton of talent and the Bears need more help on the edge. This just makes sense in Round 6.
Grade: A-
182. Arizona Cardinals: Christian Campbell, CB, Penn State
The physical tools are there for Campbell, but he’s developmental and probably not the best selection here.
Grade: C+
183. Denver Broncos: Sam Jones, OL, Arizona State
More concern on the offensive line addressed, though Jones isn’t a freak of a player by any mean.
Grade: B-
184. San Francisco 49ers: Marcell Harris, S, Florida
Talent isn’t the issue for Harris, but he has injury concerns after missing all of 2017. A risk, but a calculated one surely from Lynch and the Niners.
Grade: B-
185. Indianapolis Colts: Deon Cain, WR, Clemson
Deon Cain has Day 2 talent, so this pick is value for the Colts. But after looking at weapons earlier, it looks worse than it otherwise would’ve.
Grade: B+
186. Seattle Seahawks: Jake Martin, EDGE, Temple
Martin has potential and the Seahawks suddenly have holes everywhere. Not a bad selection.
Grade: B-
187. Buffalo Bills: Ray-Ray McCloud, WR, Clemson
Quickness and playmaking without size are McCloud’s game and you have to get Josh Allen someone to throw to.
Grade: C+
188. Cleveland Browns: Simeon Thomas, CB, Louisiana-Lafayette
Great size is what Thomas brings, but he’s not an insane athlete and this seems like an odd pick.
Grade: C-
189. New Orleans Saints: Kamrin Moore, CB, Boston College
Kamrin Moore is a player with some nice traits, especially his tackling. However, putting him in coverage right now would be an issue.
Grade: C
190. Baltimore Ravens: Deshon Elliott, S, Texas
Still have no clue what Baltimore is doing, but I like Elliott a great deal as a player.
Grade: B
191. Los Angeles Chargers: Dylan Cantrell, WR, Texas Tech
Cantrell can really play and is a mad athlete, even if not a burner. He’ll add to the group in LA.
Grade: B
192. Los Angeles Rams: Jamil Demby, OG, Maine
The Rams are out here doing all they can for this offense and take a project guard here with Demby.
Grade: C+
193. Dallas Cowboys: Chris Covington, LB, Indiana
Covington has the physical tools to be an NFL linebacker, but the Cowboys will have to develop the mental aspect.
Grade: B
194. Atlanta Falcons: Russell Gage, WR, LSU
Do the Falcons think their weapons are way worse than they actually are?
Grade: D
195. Los Angeles Rams: Sebastian Joseph, DT, Rutgers
Athleticism and productivity are there for Joseph, and that should help him overcome his lack of size and provide depth in LA.
Grade: B-
196. Kansas City Chiefs: Tremon Smith, CB, Central Arkansas
Skills, speed and playmaking are there with Smith. However, his size and propensity to gamble are concerns. Even still, good value for KC.
Grade: A
197. Washington Redskins: Shaun Dion Hamilton, LB, Alabama
Dion Hamilton is an instinctive player with injury concern and he’s not big enough. But man, he can play and giving him a shot is big.
Grade: B-
198. Kansas City Chiefs: Kahlil McKenzie, DT/OG, Tennessee
A defensive tackle at Tennessee, the Chiefs announced him as a guard. He has size and athleticism and might be an intriguing prospect.
Grade: C+
199. Tennessee Titans: Luke Falk, QB, Washington State
Falk is better than sixth-round pick and the Titans need a backup. This is a nice grab for Tennessee.
Grade: A-
200. Atlanta Falcons: Foyesade Oluokun, LB, Yale
Athleticism is there for Oluokun even out of the Ivy League and he has special teams potential right away.
Grade: B
201. New Orleans Saints: Boston Scott, RB, Louisiana Tech
A lot of people have talked about Boston Scott as an explosive player, and he adds to the backfield depth in New Orleans.
Grade: C+
202. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jack Cichy, LB, Wisconsin
Cichy isn’t an otherworldly player and has had some injuries, but there’s thngs to like when he was on the field. He can play when healthy and it’ll be interesting to see if there’s value here.
Grade: B
203. Jacksonville Jaguars: Tanner Lee, QB, Nebraska
I don’t like Lee as a prospect and the Jaguars need at least one talented quarterback on their roster.
Grade: D+
204. New York Jets: Trenton Cannon, RB, Virginia State
I liked what the Jets did early; I do not like what they’ve done late.
Grade: D
205. Los Angeles Rams: Trevon Young, EDGE, Louisville
Young isn’t as great of an athlete as you’d want from a player his size, but he adds depth where they need it.
Grade: C+
206. Philadelphia Eagles: Matt Pryor, OT, TCU
The Eagles need depth and youth on the line and this is is a nice piece.
Grade: B
207. Green Bay Packers: Equanimeous St. Brown, WR, Notre Dame
If St. Brown can produce to match his physical ability, the Packers will have a stud.
Grade: A-
208. Dallas Cowboys: Cedrick Wilson, WR, Boise State
Great value and pick here for the Cowboys as Wilson has real upside.
Grade: A-
209. Miami Dolphins: Cornell Armstrong, DB, Southern Miss
Defensive back depth is crucial for the Dolphins right now.
Grade: B-
210. New England Patriots: Braxton Berrios, WR, Miami (FL)
He’s a target monster with great hands and route-running, so he’ll probably have a 1,000-yard season in New England.
Grade: C+
211. Houston Texans: Jordan Thomas, TE, Mississippi State
More depth at tight end with a limited player when they need offensive line depth. I’ll pass.
Grade: F
212. Baltimore Ravens, Greg Senat, OT, Wagner
Hey, the Ravens made a pick that I don’t necessarily hate.
Grade: B-
213. Minnesota Vikings: Colby Gossett, OG, Appalachian State
It might be too late to look at interior offensive line, but the Vikings needed to and do so here.
Grade: B
214. Houston Texans: Peter Kalambayi, EDGE, Stanford
The Texans are doing things I don’t understand.
Grade: D
215. Baltimore Ravens: Bradley Bozeman, C, Alabama
More O-line depth is something I’m cool with for the Ravens and Bozeman is a beast.
Grade: B
216. Oakland Raiders: Azeem Victor, LB, Washington
Love the value and the fit with a need for the Raiders here. They’ve been better in late rounds than the early ones.
Grade: A-
217. Denver Broncos: Keishawn Bierria, LB, Washington
While I like Victor, but I do not like Bierria nearly as much.
Grade: C
218. Minnesota Vikings: Ade Aruna, EDGE, Tulane
If there’s one team that could develop an athlete like Aruna, it’s the Vikings.
Grade: B-
Round 7
219. New England Patriots: Danny Etling, QB, LSU
I mean, it’s New England and they need a backup quarterback, but I’m not sure Etling is the guy at all.
Grade: C-
220. Seattle Seahawks: Alex McGough, QB, FIU
Somehow the Seahawks found a way to pick a worse quarterback than Etling.
Grade: F
221. Indianapolis Colts: Matthew Adams, LB, Houston
Adams isn’t an instant contributor obviously, but this isn’t bad as they look to add more athletes.
Grade: C+
222. Houston Texans: Jermaine Kelly, DB, San Jose State
Would like to see more O-line depth still, but Kelly is solid and the secondary needs help too.
Grade: C+
223. San Francisco 49ers: Jullian Taylor, DT, Temple
Great pick for Lynch and the Niners and he could develop into a beastly tackle.
Grade: A
224. Chicago Bears: Javon Wims, WR, Georgia
Another nice selection as this is a guy with even more upside than what he flashed at Georgia.
Grade: A
225. Minnsota Vikings: Devante Downs, LB, California
Downs was the leader on a much-improved defense and has some special teams potential.
Grade: B-
226. Denver Broncos: David Williams, RB, Arkansas
Williams seems like a poor choice given some value on the board.
Grade: D
227. Miami Dolphins: Quentin Poling, LB, Ohio
Special teamer who is a crazy athlete with real potential moving forward.
Grade: B-
228. Oakland Raiders: Marcell Ateman, WR, Oklahoma State
Ateman has all the physical tools you could want, even if the tape isn’t all there.
Grade: B
229. Miami Dolphins: Jason Sanders, K, New Mexico
This is fine. Nothing special and it’s better than some of the other picks they’ve made.
Grade: C+
230. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leon Jacobs, EDGE, Wisconsin
Upside is present with Jacobs, but he needs to get coached right to see his potential. Nice landing spot for him.
Grade: B-
231. Los Angeles Rams: Travin Howard, LB, TCU
A high-upside hybrid player, Howard could have real potential in the modern NFL.
Grade: B
232. Green Bay Packers: James Looney, DT, California
Looney isn’t a great athlete, and he’s not a highly productive player, but maybe he’s a good depth piece. Maybe.
Grade: C-
233. Philadelphia Eagles: Jordan Mailata, OT, Sydney Australia (Rugby)
Mailata is an obvious project here as a rugby player, but he has big potential. It’s the type of pick Super Bowl champs can make.
Grade: B
234. Carolina Panthers: Andre Smith, LB, North Carolina
Smith is a tad undersized with height and length, but he packs a punch and is a solid football player for depth and special teams.
Grade: B-
235. Indianapolis Colts: Zaire Franklin, LB, Syracuse
Another athlete that the Colts add, he needs to get a better feel for the game but has potential.
Grade: C+
236. Dallas Cowboys: Bo Scarbrough, RB, Alabama
Needed depth behind Zeke Elliott and Scarbrough can provide that as an absolute hoss.
Grade: B+
237. Detroit Lions: Nick Bawden, RB, San Diego State
He’s a big man and the Lions are clearly looking to add power on offense.
Grade: C+
238. Baltimore Ravens: Zach Sieler, DE, Ferris State
Beastly player from a small school, Sieler can play in the nFL — but he’s a weird pick in a weird Baltimore draft.
Grade: C
239. Green Bay Packers: Hunter Bradley, LS, Mississippi State
Sure.
Grade: IDK
240. San Francisco 49ers: Richie James, WR, Middle Tennessee
When healthy, James can be a weapon that can burn defenses in any way. I love adding him to this corps.
Grade: A
241. Washington Redskins: Greg Stroman, CB, Virginia Tech
Stroman has a lot of talent and, if not for his size, he’d have been picked much earlier.
Grade: B+
242. Carolina Panthers: Kendrick Norton, DT, Miami (FL)
The talent is there with Norton, but he needs to be consistent to see the field.
Grade: B
243. New England Patriots: Keion Crossen, DB, Western Carolina
Defensive back depth is necessary in New England and this guy will help on special teams.
Grade: C+
244. Los Angeles Rams: Justin Lawler, DE, SMU
He’s going to try ridiculously hard, but he might not have the physical tools to make it.
Grade: C
245. New Orleans Saints: Will Clapp, C, LSU
Clapp is a fine player in the middle of an offensive line and could be nice depth.
Grade: B-
246. Pittsburgh Steelers: Josh Frazier, DT, Alabama
The size and pedigree of where he played at Bama is there, but he couldn’t find the field much and that’s not a great sign.
Grade: C-
247. Jacksonville Jaguars: Logan Cooke, P, Mississippi State
The flying flyer that flies in the seventh round.
Grade: OK
248. Green Bay Packers: Kendall Donnerson, LB, Southeast Missouri State
And we go around the carousel picking up special teams players.
Grade: C+
249. Cincinnati Bengals: Logan Woodside, QB, Toledo
Woodside is one of my favorite quarterbacks not in the top tier of this class. The Bengals need a backup and he provides that.
Grade: A
250. New England Patriots: Ryan Izzo, TE, Florida State
Patriots love tight end depth and Izzo is a solid blocker who will help with that.
Grade: B-
251. Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Jackson, RB, Northwestern
More running back depth with a solid player from Northwestern that offers some versatility.
Grade: B-
252. Cincinnati Bengals: Rod Taylor, OG, Ole Miss
Taylor gives upside on the offensive line where they need it.
Grade: B
253. Cincinnati Bengals: Auden Tate, WR, Florida State
Tate is a poor athlete, but he has ball skills and unreal size. Worth a flyer for a team that needs it.
Grade: A-
254. Arizona Cardinals: Korey Cunningham, OT, Cincinnati
Their line needs as many warm bodies as they can put on it, so Cunningham can make something happen up there.
Grade: B
255. Buffalo Bills: Austin Proehl, WR, North Carolina
Proehl probably should’ve gone undrafted, but the Bills literally don’t have wide receivers, so they had to do something.
Grade: C+
256. Washington Redskins: Trey Quinn, WR, SMU
I need a drink.
Grade: B
Next: NFL Draft 2018: Grades for each first-round pick
While the name-recognition and value aren’t always there on Day 3 of the NFL Draft, there are always diamonds in the rough. And with the way that the first two days of the draft played out, the day began with a lot of talent still on the board. That means plenty of opportunities for teams to mine value and make an impact late.