One fact you’ll surely hear during the NFL Draft is that Day 3 players make up the majority of NFL rosters, with 63% of active players coming from Day 3 selections. This year, there are still several high-quality prospects available, including two players who were once considered potential first-round picks. This group even features one of the top shutdown corners in college football.
Top talent still on the board
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado: In a pervious article, I named Sanders as one of the top players heading into Day 2. Yet, as we enter the fourth round, he’s still shockingly on the board. It makes me wonder if there are character concerns at play because from a talent standpoint, he’s definitely better than a fourth-rounder. Sanders has more upside than quarterbacks like Dillon Gabriel, who the Browns selected in the third round.
Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse: Another quarterback offering great value is Syracuse’s Kyle McCord. Last season, McCord led the nation in passing yards with 4,799. He’s excellent at getting the ball out quickly and is one of the most fundamentally sound quarterbacks in this year's draft class.
Dorian Strong, CB, Virginia Tech: Coming into the draft, I had a second-round grade on cornerback Dorian Strong, so any team landing him in the third round will be getting fantastic value. Over the past two seasons, Strong allowed only 39.6% of passes thrown his way to be completed. In 2023, he became just the second FBS corner since 2014 to play over 300 coverage snaps while allowing fewer than 10 receptions and under 100 receiving yards in a season. As a prospect, he’s a physical, press-coverage specialist with smooth hips that allow him to turn and run with receivers seamlessly.
Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky: Walker was once viewed as a potential first-round pick, but now he’s still available in the fourth round. The biggest reasons for his slide are a down season and some average testing numbers — including just 22 bench press reps, which is underwhelming for a player who stands 6-foot-8 and weighs 328 pounds. However, when he’s healthy and locked in, Walker is extremely difficult to move in the run game and is an underrated pass rusher. He led all defensive tackles in 2023 with 51 pressures.
Damien Martinez, RB, Miami: While it might not shock many that Miami’s Damien Martinez is still on the board, he’s still a great value pick. Martinez is a big, physical downhill runner who averaged an impressive 6.3 yards per carry this season. Beyond his strength, he has excellent footwork for a bigger back, making him a tough tackle in the open field.