If day one of the NFL draft is about stars and day two is about starters, day three is about depth and competition. Drafts — and ultimately teams — are made by what happens in rounds 4-7.
From the Saints trading up to take Old Dominion tackle Nick Saldiveri with Saturday’s first pick to the Rams choosing Toledo defensive tackle Desjuan Johnson as Mr. Irrelevant, the day was filled with interesting moments and important selections. Let’s take a look at how teams performed strictly on the draft’s final day (not overall):
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals had a real need along the defensive line, but it wasn’t addressed until late in the sixth round. There were a couple of nice selections, especially in Auburn linebacker Owen Pappoe and Louisville cornerback Kei’Trel Clark, but Arizona major step toward rebuilding will come in the 2024 draft.
Grade: C
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Atlanta Falcons
It wasn’t a deep group with only three selections, but the Falcons picked up a pair of quality defensive backs in Utah corner Clark Phillips III and Alabama safety DeMarcco Hellams. Both were great value and can help right away.
Grade: C+
NFL Draft: Pick-by-pick analysis
Round 2 and 3 grades: Rating every pick
Draft order and updated results: See every selection
The Beast: The complete draft guide
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens seemed to reach in the fourth round for Ole Miss edge rusher Tavius Robinson but picked up terrific value with Stanford corner Kyu Blu Kelly, the son of former Tampa Bay defensive back Brian Kelly. Then in the seventh, the Ravens gave up a 2024 sixth-rounder to pick USC guard Andrew Vorhees, who is on a redshirt year after tearing his ACL at the combine. Vorhees still put up 38 reps of 225 pounds in the bench afterward and was a likely second-rounder without the injury. Brilliant move.
Grade: B+
Buffalo Bills
The Bills needed help in the secondary and didn’t get it until late in the seventh round. That doesn’t take away from grabbing the draft’s best receiving tight end in the first round and a pair of guards who at least will challenge for a starting role. But the Bills might have missed an opportunity on day three.
Grade: C
Carolina Panthers
This isn’t about the quality of Carolina’s picks; it’s the quantity. With only two selections, the Panthers lost a chance to add depth and give new quarterback Bryce Young more weapons. Fourth-round guard Chandler Zavala should become a swing player inside, and Jammie Robinson could compete for snaps right away. But the Panthers could have used a few more pieces late in the draft.
Grade: D
Chicago Bears
Holistically, the Bears had a good draft. I’m not too proud to admit I whiffed on the Bears’ grade the first night with Darnell Wright. In retrospect, that was a solid C, not a D-. As for day three, the Bears picked quality to go with their quantity. Texas running back Roschon Johnson was overshadowed by Bijan Robinson but has tremendous ability. When Johnson is combined with Cincinnati receiver Tyler Scott and Oregon linebacker Noah Sewell, the Bears had a nice run Saturday.
Grade: A-
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals opted for complementary pieces early and chose two players who could help right away. Illinois running back Chase Brown, who was fourth in the FBS in rushing, and Purdue receiver Charlie Jones, who led the nation in receptions, should become rotational players right away for one of the NFL’s top offenses. That’s great value on day three.
Grade: B
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Cleveland Browns
Without a first- or second-round pick, the Browns might have the best draft from round three onward. Specific to day three, the Browns drafted Ohio State tackle Dawand Jones and Missouri edge rusher Isaiah McGuire — both potential second-rounders — in the fourth round, then picked up Ohio State center Luke Wypler in the sixth round. All three could end up as starters within two years.
Grade: A
Dallas Cowboys
With a deep roster, not all of the late-rounds prospects are going to make Dallas’ roster. But there were some solid picks who will fill roles, such as San Jose State edge rusher Viliami Fehoko Jr., North Carolina tackle Asim Richards and especially Kansas State running back Deuce Vaughn. Look for Vaughn to fashion a nice role next to Tony Pollard.
Grade: B
Denver Broncos
With only two picks Saturday, there’s not much to grade. Boise State safety JL Skinner was a terrific selection, but he was the only one until Oregon center Alex Forsyth was picked third-to-last. For the Broncos’ sake, I hope they’re all in on the top available undrafted free agents.
Grade: D
Detroit Lions
The Lions took an unorthodox approach to the draft in selecting a running back and box linebacker in the first round. The third day — for which Detroit is graded in this post — was less important this year for the Lions, who loaded up on the second day and went off the grid in the fifth with William & Mary tackle Colby Sorsdal and North Carolina receiver Antoine Green in the seventh.
Grade: D
Green Bay Packers
With nine selections Saturday, the Packers have plenty of numbers for a deep training camp. They also drafted some key pieces for a defense that slipped significantly last season. Auburn defensive end Colby Wooden, Bowling Green defensive lineman Karl Brooks and Kentucky cornerback Carrington Valentine could have big roles. Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford — who is older than starter Jordan Love — also will make the roster better.
Grade: A
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Houston Texans
With four multi-year starters at major programs in their first four picks on Saturday, the Texans found multiple plug-and-play performers, which is important considering the shape of their roster. TCU edge Dylan Horton had 10 sacks last year. Notre Dame center Jarrett Patterson was a three-year starter. Linebacker Henry To’oto’o started 50 games at Alabama and Tennessee. Iowa State receiver Xavier Hutchinson caught 107 passes last year. Production, production, production.
Grade: A
Indianapolis Colts
Everyone will judge Chris Ballard by how Anthony Richardson performs, but what he did on day three was a K.C. masterpiece. The Colts pulled two of the top available players lingering from Friday in Northwestern defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore and BYU tackle Blake Freeland. Then they snagged potential starters or rotational players in South Carolina cornerback Darius Rush, Cal safety Daniel Scott and Miami (Fla.) tight end Will Mallory in the fifth. The Colts got considerably better Saturday.
Grade: A+
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars had 10 selections Saturday, and their top five all are strong bets to make the rosters. Florida linebacker Ventrell Miller, Oklahoma State defensive end Tyler Lacy, Louisville linebacker Yasir Abdullah, Penn State receiver Parker Washington and especially Texas A&M safety Antonio Johnson add quality depth and special teams value right away.
Grade: A
Kansas City Chiefs
As reigning Super Bowl champions, the Chiefs wear the bull’s eye for every opponent and especially those in the AFC. With that in mind, Kansas City opted to bolster its defense with Virginia Tech corner Chamarri Conner, Texas defensive tackle Keondre Coburn and Stephen F. Austin edge B.J. Thompson. There aren’t many open spots on the roster, but the Chiefs targeted the right positions.
Grade: B-
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders attacked needs with quality reinforcements throughout day three. Georgia safety Christopher Smith might be one of the great steals both in how he plays and the way he leads. Maryland’s Jakorian Bennett is a fast, talented corner. Quarterback Aidan O’Connell immediately steps in as Jimmy Garoppolo’s backup and is capable of keeping the offensive engines running if the starter gets hurt.
Grade: A-
Los Angeles Chargers
For the Chargers, Saturday was about filling roles. Receiver Derius Davis, who played opposite first-rounder Quentin Johnson at TCU, lacks size but makes up for it with speed and quickness. Clemson offensive lineman Jordan McFadden adds depth. Then the Chargers completed the TCU trio by selecting quarterback Max Duggan late.
Grade: B-
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams needed to turn over the bottom half of their roster after last year’s debacle, and they used draft’s final day to do it. They had 11 draft picks and split them with five for offense, five for defense and one at punter. Quarterback Stetson Bennett will get a quality mentor in Georgia ancestor Matthew Stafford. Appalachian State edge rusher Nick Hampton was a steal in the fifth round as were TCU cornerback Tre Tomlinson and Ole Miss (and former TCU) running back Zach Evans in the sixth.
Grade: A-
Miami Dolphins
With only four picks overall and just two on Saturday, the Dolphins picked up very little this weekend. Worse, the selections Saturday came in the sixth and seventh rounds. Those often are practice team candidates, so if the Dolphins get anything out of them this fall, it’s more luck than strategy. Seventh-round tackle Ryan Hayes from Michigan has a shot as a backup lineman.
Grade: F
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Minnesota Vikings
If nothing else, it was an A for effort. The Vikings had needs throughout their defense and addressed them the best they could. In defensive back Jay Ward (fourth round) and defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy (fifth), the Vikings picked up physical defenders capable of making an early impact. BYU quarterback Jaren Hall can be a solid backup for a long time, and UAB running back DeWayne McBride provided tremendous value in the seventh. The Vikings just needed a few more picks.
Grade: B+
New England Patriots
With three fourth-rounders and four sixth-rounders, the Patriots had enough capital to select a kicker and punter. Taking three interior offensive linemen was necessary, but the Patriots also had holes in the secondary that could have been addressed early on day three. That could loom large during the upcoming season.
Grade: C
New Orleans Saints
The Saints traded up for the top pick Saturday and grabbed Old Dominion tackle Nick Saldiveri, who didn’t allow a sack last year. Perhaps the Saints’ best selection came in the sixth round with Wake Forest receiver A.T. Perry, who can challenge for subpackages right away.
Grade: B+
New York Giants
Oklahoma running back Eric Gray could step in as a backup for Saquon Barkley, but the remaining Saturday picks mostly are projects. It doesn’t drag down the overall draft grade — which was solid Thursday and Friday — but for the final rounds there wasn’t much to count on for the Giants.
Grade: C-
New York Jets
The Jets collected a pair of productive players from Pitt in tackle Carter Warren and running back Israel Abanikanda in the fourth round, and both could become key reserves right away. Later in the draft, they opted for upside candidates in LSU cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse and Old Dominion tight end Zack Kuntz. Smart and effective.
Grade: B
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Philadelphia Eagles
By picking up talented Georgia corner Kelee Ringo in the fourth round, the Eagles continued their dominance over this draft. Snagging Stanford quarterback Tanner McKee, who some analysts rated as a second-rounder, was a quality sixth-round selection. There were only three Saturday picks, which pulls the grade down a little. Still, Howie Roseman deserves a nice gift card and a “Good job” sticker from ownership.
Grade: C+
Pittsburgh Steelers
Again, this isn’t about the quality of prospect, just the lack of selections. Wisconsin’s Nick Herbig will play right away and could start as a rookie at inside linebacker. That’s a great pick. But Herbig was the only Saturday pick until late in the seventh round.
Grade: C-
San Francisco 49ers
It was an eclectic draft for the 49ers, from not having a first- or second-round pick to loading up with three seventh-rounders. San Francisco has a great roster, and most of its final day selections are projects, for depth or special teams. That’s not bad at all, but there’s not much there, either.
Grade: C-
Seattle Seahawks
There is plenty to like about the Seahawks’ final day. Offensive linemen Olu Oluwatimi (Michigan) and Anthony Bradford (LSU) could challenge for starting roles right away. So could Michigan defensive end Mike Morris. Given the Seahawks’ propensity for running the ball, taking a back like Georgia’s Kenny McIntosh has no downside.
Grade: A-
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In Nebraska speedster Trey Palmer and Purdue tight end Payne Durham, the Buccaneers added two prospects who could immediately impact the depth chart. Pitt linebacker SirVocea Dennis provides immediate special teams value, and Eastern Michigan edge rusher Jose Ramirez is a hidden gem. This was a quality final day.
Grade: B+
Tennessee Titans
With only a trio of Saturday selections, the Titans didn’t quite get the depth they might need. However, in sixth-round Maryland tackle Jaelyn Duncan they have a shot at getting an eventual starter at a key position. Duncan was productive and nasty with the Terrapins, and with some quality coaching, he could be quite the pickup.
Grade: C+
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Washington Commanders
There was nothing flashy about the Commanders’ draft, but it was effective. They picked up an experienced edge rusher from Clemson in K.J. Henry, then Kentucky running back Chris Rodriguez, who is a physical runner.
Grade: B+
(Top image: John Bradford / The Athletic;
photos: Randy Litzinger, Thearon W. Henderson, Daniel Dunn / Getty Images)
