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Brugler: My favorite Day 3 picks and undrafted free agents at each position
By Dane Brugler Apr 24, 2020
While 106 picks are in the books, there are still 149 selections to be made. And Day 3 of the NFL Draft is when the scouts get to draft their favorite players.
Many of the players drafted on Saturday (or signed shortly after the draft ends) won’t receive a second contract in the NFL. But there will be a select few who vastly outplay their draft spot and become key contributors.
Last year, players like Dolphins cornerback Nik Needham, Ravens guard Patrick Mekari and Saints defensive tackle Shy Tuttle didn’t hear their names called during the draft, but they played a significant role during their rookie seasons.
Part of it is luck. Day 3 prospects and undrafted free agents must land in the right situation to earn an opportunity. But part of it is evaluators accurately identifying the lesser-known prospects’ key traits that will translate to the pro game.
Here are my favorite Day 3 and (projected) undrafted free agent prospects:
Quarterback
Day 3 draft pick: Jake Fromm, Georgia
Scheme specific? Yeah. Limited in areas? No doubt. But in the right situation, Fromm can be an asset to an organization, initially as a backup and an important voice among the quarterbacks. He has starting potential if he lands in an offense that prioritizes quick decisions and rhythm passing.
Priority free agent: Tyler Huntley, QB, Utah
Questions about size, durability and passing anticipation likely leave Huntley undrafted, but he is one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the class. He moves well in the pocket and his decision-making improved each season, but his best trait is his warrior toughness, which leads to production.
Running back
Day 3 draft pick: Joshua Kelley, UCLA
It is easy to like Kelley’s run style. He is an attitude runner who might not have great make-you-miss skills, but he darts through creases and stays balanced at contact. He is never content as a runner and takes care of the football, offering any-down potential.
Priority free agent: Rodney Smith, Minnesota
Only three backs in the Big Ten rushed for 1,000-plus yards last season: JK Dobbins, Jonathan Taylor and Smith. He does a great job stringing moves together and shifting gears without stopping his momentum. Smith also steps up in pass protection and looks comfortable catching the ball out of the backfield. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he earns a third-down role.
Wide receiver
Day 3 draft pick: James Proche, SMU
A lot of talented wide receivers have gone through SMU, but none produced like Proche, who holds numerous school records, including 4,996 all-purpose yards. Yes, he is a tad undersized and needs to be more consistent as a route-runner, but he is a king-sized competitor with near-elite ball skills. It is tough seeing Proche not producing.
Priority free agent: Josh Pearson, Jacksonville State
Pearson spent his first three seasons either ineligible or on the bench, but he was a dominant FCS-level wide receiver the last two seasons with 30 touchdown catches. While unseasoned in areas, he has natural pass-catching traits with 4.46-second speed at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds — tape, testing and production.
Tight end
Day 3 draft pick: Harrison Bryant, Florida Atlantic
Bryant isn’t a fit for every situation because he is more of an oversized wide receiver than an inline tight end, but for an offense looking for a seam-stretcher with route savvy and catch-point skills, the FAU product is a fit. He is especially productive in the quick game, uncovering on slants and hooks to keep the chains moving.
Priority free agent: Giovanni Ricci, Western Michigan
Although he wasn’t really on the NFL radar over the summer, Ricci turned heads as a senior, leading the MAC with eight touchdown catches in 2019. While somewhat limited as a blocker, his receiving skills are why he has a chance to stick, moving more like a souped-up wide receiver than a traditional tight end.
Offensive tackle
Day 3 draft pick: Cameron Clark, Charlotte
A three-year starting left tackle and two-time captain, Clark was graded as a priority free agent over the summer by NFL scouts, but he changed the narrative as a senior, specifically with his performance versus Clemson. Clark is fundamentally sound and cerebral, which should help him see early reps at tackle or guard.
Priority free agent: Brandon Bowen, Ohio State
After missing almost two years with a broken leg that didn’t set properly, Bowen returned as a senior and attracted attention from pro scouts. The medicals might force him to go undrafted, but he will get a chance because his size and upper-body power will help him bench press defenders off his frame.
Interior offensive line
Day 3 draft pick: Kevin Dotson, Louisiana
My pick to be the first non-combine prospect to be drafted, Dotson is a hulking blocker who became Louisiana’s first All-American. There are some sloppy elements to his game, but he controls the line of scrimmage and physically moves defenders around the field like a pissed-off club bouncer.
Priority free agent: Kyle Hinton, Washburn
A college left tackle who will move inside, Hinton is a fantastic athlete with the foundation traits worth developing. He faces a sizable jump from Division II but he will be a worthy investment for a team willing to be patient.
Edge rusher
Day 3 draft pick: Khalid Kareem, Notre Dame
While it was not a surprise to see Julian Okwara as the first Notre Dame rusher drafted, Kareem is a better player. He doesn’t offer the burst to surprise blockers at the snap but he has great length and violent hands to bully his way through blocks. Kareem is a strong edge setter who can reduce inside on passing downs.
Priority free agent: Kendall Coleman, Syracuse
After posting 10 sacks as a junior, he took a step back with four as a senior but he rushes with a plan and a nose for the football. Although the lack of explosive traits will likely leave him undrafted, Coleman is a competitive, instinctive player who could earn a roster spot.
Defensive tackle
Day 3 draft pick: James Lynch, Baylor
Talking to teams about Lynch in the lead-up to the draft, there are fit concerns due to his lack of length and tweener traits. Is he a three-technique? Can he be a base defensive end? Those questions are the main reason he is still available entering Day 3. But I’ll bet on his production and competitive energy as a one-gap penetrator.
Priority free agent: Calvin Taylor Jr., Kentucky
At 6-foot-8 and 309 pounds, Taylor is a “first guy off the bus” type who is easy to spot. His size makes him a large target for blockers, but when he stays low out of his stance, he can create movement. He is the type of prospect worth stashing and developing at a low price.
Linebacker
Day 3 draft pick: Akeem Davis-Gaither, Appalachian State
The best way I can describe Davis-Gaither’s athleticism is he was probably the best “tag” player in the neighborhood growing up because he avoids blocks with his quickness and uses his closing burst and length to finish. He missed part of the draft process with a stress fracture, but it is still surprising to see him available on Day 3.
Priority free agent: Dante Olson, Montana
In two years as a starter, Olson combined for 330 tackles and 22 tackles for loss. His lack of cover skills and recovery speed could push him out of the draft, but his smarts and competitive toughness will translate to the pro game. I’ll bet on his diagnose skills showing out during training camp.
Cornerback
Day 3 draft pick: John Reid, Penn State
Reid fell due to his size (5-foot-10, 187 pounds, 30-inch arms) and injury history (a torn ACL in his left knee), but I would jump at the chance to draft him anywhere on Day 3. A fluid athlete, he stays on top of routes with terrific play recognition. His man-cover skills make him a mosquito at a barbecue to wide receivers.
Priority free agent: Madre Harper, Southern Illinois
While his tape is up and down, Harper tested like a phenomenal athlete worth bringing to camp. At 6-foot-2 with 34-inch arms, he ran a 4.42-second 40 at his pro day, jumped 40 inches in the vertical and 11-foot-2 in the broad and clocked 6.88 seconds in the three-cone drill. Jeremy Chinn isn’t the only NFL prospect in Southern Illinois’ secondary.
Safety
Day 3 draft pick: Geno Stone, Iowa
From a size-and-speed standpoint, Stone is average at best, which lowers his margin for error. I don’t think Stone will ever be a big-time playmaker, but his high football IQ and high batting average as a tackler will keep him in the NFL. You won’t see many mental mistakes on his tape.
Priority free agent: Jovante Moffatt, Middle Tennessee
It won’t be surprising if Moffatt is on an active roster in the fall. He tends to freelance a little too much, but his play speed and competitive urgency will also lead to impact plays versus the run and the pass. While he might not be a household name, Moffatt is a name to remember.
Return specialist
Day 3 draft pick: Joe Reed, Virginia
Reed not only became the first player in school history with two kickoff return touchdowns in the same season, but he did it twice, finishing his career with five. His role on offense is somewhat of a question, but he is well accomplished as a returner, becoming the first in FBS history with 2,700-plus career kick return yards and a kick return average of at least 28 yards.
Priority free agent: Marquez Callaway, Tennessee
As a wide receiver, Callaway struggled to stay on the same page with his quarterback and his questionable route awareness and cover reads are areas that require improvement. But his ability on special teams is what could keep him on a roster as he averaged 13.6 yards per punt return in college, including three touchdowns.
By Dane Brugler Apr 24, 2020
While 106 picks are in the books, there are still 149 selections to be made. And Day 3 of the NFL Draft is when the scouts get to draft their favorite players.
Many of the players drafted on Saturday (or signed shortly after the draft ends) won’t receive a second contract in the NFL. But there will be a select few who vastly outplay their draft spot and become key contributors.
Last year, players like Dolphins cornerback Nik Needham, Ravens guard Patrick Mekari and Saints defensive tackle Shy Tuttle didn’t hear their names called during the draft, but they played a significant role during their rookie seasons.
Part of it is luck. Day 3 prospects and undrafted free agents must land in the right situation to earn an opportunity. But part of it is evaluators accurately identifying the lesser-known prospects’ key traits that will translate to the pro game.
Here are my favorite Day 3 and (projected) undrafted free agent prospects:
Quarterback
Day 3 draft pick: Jake Fromm, Georgia
Scheme specific? Yeah. Limited in areas? No doubt. But in the right situation, Fromm can be an asset to an organization, initially as a backup and an important voice among the quarterbacks. He has starting potential if he lands in an offense that prioritizes quick decisions and rhythm passing.
Priority free agent: Tyler Huntley, QB, Utah
Questions about size, durability and passing anticipation likely leave Huntley undrafted, but he is one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the class. He moves well in the pocket and his decision-making improved each season, but his best trait is his warrior toughness, which leads to production.
Running back
Day 3 draft pick: Joshua Kelley, UCLA
It is easy to like Kelley’s run style. He is an attitude runner who might not have great make-you-miss skills, but he darts through creases and stays balanced at contact. He is never content as a runner and takes care of the football, offering any-down potential.
Priority free agent: Rodney Smith, Minnesota
Only three backs in the Big Ten rushed for 1,000-plus yards last season: JK Dobbins, Jonathan Taylor and Smith. He does a great job stringing moves together and shifting gears without stopping his momentum. Smith also steps up in pass protection and looks comfortable catching the ball out of the backfield. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he earns a third-down role.
Wide receiver
Day 3 draft pick: James Proche, SMU
A lot of talented wide receivers have gone through SMU, but none produced like Proche, who holds numerous school records, including 4,996 all-purpose yards. Yes, he is a tad undersized and needs to be more consistent as a route-runner, but he is a king-sized competitor with near-elite ball skills. It is tough seeing Proche not producing.
Priority free agent: Josh Pearson, Jacksonville State
Pearson spent his first three seasons either ineligible or on the bench, but he was a dominant FCS-level wide receiver the last two seasons with 30 touchdown catches. While unseasoned in areas, he has natural pass-catching traits with 4.46-second speed at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds — tape, testing and production.
Tight end
Day 3 draft pick: Harrison Bryant, Florida Atlantic
Bryant isn’t a fit for every situation because he is more of an oversized wide receiver than an inline tight end, but for an offense looking for a seam-stretcher with route savvy and catch-point skills, the FAU product is a fit. He is especially productive in the quick game, uncovering on slants and hooks to keep the chains moving.
Priority free agent: Giovanni Ricci, Western Michigan
Although he wasn’t really on the NFL radar over the summer, Ricci turned heads as a senior, leading the MAC with eight touchdown catches in 2019. While somewhat limited as a blocker, his receiving skills are why he has a chance to stick, moving more like a souped-up wide receiver than a traditional tight end.
Offensive tackle
Day 3 draft pick: Cameron Clark, Charlotte
A three-year starting left tackle and two-time captain, Clark was graded as a priority free agent over the summer by NFL scouts, but he changed the narrative as a senior, specifically with his performance versus Clemson. Clark is fundamentally sound and cerebral, which should help him see early reps at tackle or guard.
Priority free agent: Brandon Bowen, Ohio State
After missing almost two years with a broken leg that didn’t set properly, Bowen returned as a senior and attracted attention from pro scouts. The medicals might force him to go undrafted, but he will get a chance because his size and upper-body power will help him bench press defenders off his frame.
Interior offensive line
Day 3 draft pick: Kevin Dotson, Louisiana
My pick to be the first non-combine prospect to be drafted, Dotson is a hulking blocker who became Louisiana’s first All-American. There are some sloppy elements to his game, but he controls the line of scrimmage and physically moves defenders around the field like a pissed-off club bouncer.
Priority free agent: Kyle Hinton, Washburn
A college left tackle who will move inside, Hinton is a fantastic athlete with the foundation traits worth developing. He faces a sizable jump from Division II but he will be a worthy investment for a team willing to be patient.
Edge rusher
Day 3 draft pick: Khalid Kareem, Notre Dame
While it was not a surprise to see Julian Okwara as the first Notre Dame rusher drafted, Kareem is a better player. He doesn’t offer the burst to surprise blockers at the snap but he has great length and violent hands to bully his way through blocks. Kareem is a strong edge setter who can reduce inside on passing downs.
Priority free agent: Kendall Coleman, Syracuse
After posting 10 sacks as a junior, he took a step back with four as a senior but he rushes with a plan and a nose for the football. Although the lack of explosive traits will likely leave him undrafted, Coleman is a competitive, instinctive player who could earn a roster spot.
Defensive tackle
Day 3 draft pick: James Lynch, Baylor
Talking to teams about Lynch in the lead-up to the draft, there are fit concerns due to his lack of length and tweener traits. Is he a three-technique? Can he be a base defensive end? Those questions are the main reason he is still available entering Day 3. But I’ll bet on his production and competitive energy as a one-gap penetrator.
Priority free agent: Calvin Taylor Jr., Kentucky
At 6-foot-8 and 309 pounds, Taylor is a “first guy off the bus” type who is easy to spot. His size makes him a large target for blockers, but when he stays low out of his stance, he can create movement. He is the type of prospect worth stashing and developing at a low price.
Linebacker
Day 3 draft pick: Akeem Davis-Gaither, Appalachian State
The best way I can describe Davis-Gaither’s athleticism is he was probably the best “tag” player in the neighborhood growing up because he avoids blocks with his quickness and uses his closing burst and length to finish. He missed part of the draft process with a stress fracture, but it is still surprising to see him available on Day 3.
Priority free agent: Dante Olson, Montana
In two years as a starter, Olson combined for 330 tackles and 22 tackles for loss. His lack of cover skills and recovery speed could push him out of the draft, but his smarts and competitive toughness will translate to the pro game. I’ll bet on his diagnose skills showing out during training camp.
Cornerback
Day 3 draft pick: John Reid, Penn State
Reid fell due to his size (5-foot-10, 187 pounds, 30-inch arms) and injury history (a torn ACL in his left knee), but I would jump at the chance to draft him anywhere on Day 3. A fluid athlete, he stays on top of routes with terrific play recognition. His man-cover skills make him a mosquito at a barbecue to wide receivers.
Priority free agent: Madre Harper, Southern Illinois
While his tape is up and down, Harper tested like a phenomenal athlete worth bringing to camp. At 6-foot-2 with 34-inch arms, he ran a 4.42-second 40 at his pro day, jumped 40 inches in the vertical and 11-foot-2 in the broad and clocked 6.88 seconds in the three-cone drill. Jeremy Chinn isn’t the only NFL prospect in Southern Illinois’ secondary.
Safety
Day 3 draft pick: Geno Stone, Iowa
From a size-and-speed standpoint, Stone is average at best, which lowers his margin for error. I don’t think Stone will ever be a big-time playmaker, but his high football IQ and high batting average as a tackler will keep him in the NFL. You won’t see many mental mistakes on his tape.
Priority free agent: Jovante Moffatt, Middle Tennessee
It won’t be surprising if Moffatt is on an active roster in the fall. He tends to freelance a little too much, but his play speed and competitive urgency will also lead to impact plays versus the run and the pass. While he might not be a household name, Moffatt is a name to remember.
Return specialist
Day 3 draft pick: Joe Reed, Virginia
Reed not only became the first player in school history with two kickoff return touchdowns in the same season, but he did it twice, finishing his career with five. His role on offense is somewhat of a question, but he is well accomplished as a returner, becoming the first in FBS history with 2,700-plus career kick return yards and a kick return average of at least 28 yards.
Priority free agent: Marquez Callaway, Tennessee
As a wide receiver, Callaway struggled to stay on the same page with his quarterback and his questionable route awareness and cover reads are areas that require improvement. But his ability on special teams is what could keep him on a roster as he averaged 13.6 yards per punt return in college, including three touchdowns.
