2023 NFL Draft: Favorite Day 3 pick from each team

Dallas Cowboys provide one of the best moments of the weekend

Day 3 Draft Class:
R4 (129): Villiami Fehoko Jr., DL, San Jose St.
R5 (169): Asim Richards, OL, North Carolina
R6 (178): Eric Scott Jr., CB, Southern Miss
R6 (212): Deuce Vaughn, RB, Kansas St.
R7 (244): Jalen Brooks, WR, South Carolina

Favorite Pick: Deuce Vaughn

Come on now, this one was an easy choice! Watching Chris Vaughn get to call his son and tell him the Cowboys were drafting him was one of the best moments of the entire draft.

Don’t get it twisted, Dallas didn’t just draft Deuce cause his dad is on the staff, Deuce can ball. His role at the next level is hard to project at 5’5 and 179 lbs, but all he did was produce huge numbers at Kansas State.

New York Giants add a versatile piece to their backfield

Day 3 Draft Class:
R5 (172): Eric Gray, RB, Oklahoma
R6 (209): Tre Hawkins III, CB, Old Dominion
R7 (243): Jordan Riley, DT, Oregon
R7 (254): Gervarrius Owens, S, Houston

Favorite Pick: Eric Gray

The Giants were big winners on Day 2, but I thought they put together a solid Day 3 as well. My favorite pick of the bunch was Eric Gray. He’s probably never going to be an every down back, but I love his fit next to Saquon as a change of pace.

He’s not the biggest guy, but he’s capable of running between the tackles. He’ll be able to contribute right away in the passing game as well as he had 99 catches in college. Saquon has struggled with injuries throughout his career and Gray should be able to help take some of that workload off his plate.

https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1652392737130307585?s=20

Philadelphia Eagles continue to add pieces from Georgia

Day 3 Draft Class:
R4 (105): Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
R6 (188): Tanner McKee, QB, Stanford
R7 (249): Moro Ojomo, DT, Texas

Favorite Pick: Kelee Ringo

After the first round, Eagles’ fans shouldn’t care how the rest of the draft went. They had limited resources on Day 3, but I think they got good value on all three selections.

Ringo had a ton of hype heading into this season, but he just never quite lived up to the hype. His technique can be a bit of a mess and he can struggle to find the ball, but you’re just betting on traits. He’s got fantastic size and athleticism, he just hasn’t put it all together. He’s only 20 years old, so he’s got plenty of time to learn.

Washington Commanders add some toughness on Day 3

Day 3 Draft Class:
R4 (118): Braeden Daniels, OL, Utah
R5 (137): K.J. Henry, EDGE, Clemson
R6 (193): Chris Rodriguez Jr., RB, Kentucky
R7 (233): Andre Jones Jr., EDGE, Louisiana

Favorite Pick: Chris Rodriguez Jr.

The correct pick here is probably Braeden Daniels, but I can’t help myself, I loved watching Chris Rodriguez on tape. There’s so many instances where it takes five to six defenders to drag him down.

He’s capable of stepping in right away and handling a full workload and has a nose for the end zone (35 career touchdowns). He’s not a special talent by any means, but you have to respect his physicality and toughness. His skillset reminds me of Joshua Kelley coming out, but hopefully Washington uses him better than the Chargers have with Kelley.

Buffalo Bills add some depth pieces on Day 3

Day 3 Draft Class:
R5 (150): Justin Shorter, WR, Florida
R7 (230): Nick Broeker, G, Ole Miss
R7 (252): Alex Austin, CB, Oregon St.

Favorite Pick: Nick Broeker

Another team with limited resources on Day 3, but the Bills made the most of them. While Broeker doesn’t have the desired measurables, he has a skillset that should allow him to stick around the league for a long time.

Broeker has experience at tackle and guard and he plays with a mean streak that is fun to watch. He’s been durable during his time at Ole Miss and his play strength is above average. He probably won’t be a pro bowler any time soon, but he should stick around as a low level starter or a trusted swing lineman.

Miami Dolphins have a small but intriguing draft class

Day 3 Draft Class:
R6 (197): Elijah Higgins, WR, Stanford
R7 (238): Ryan Hayes, OT, Michigan

Favorite Pick: Elijah Higgins

With only four total picks and two on Day 3, Miami added four solid players. Higgins is unlike any receiver the Dolphins currently have as he’s 6’3 and 235 lbs.

He might have to transition into more of a detached TE, but he could be a big bodied weapon that this offense is currently lacking. His route running is a work in progress and he had more drops than touchdowns, but he’s the type of athlete you take a shot on in Round 6.

New England bolsters their special teams

Day 3 Draft Class:
R4 (107): Jake Andrews, C, Troy
R4 (112): Chad Ryland, K, Maryland
R4 (117): Sidy Sow, G, Eastern Michigan
R5 (144): Antonio Mafi, G, UCLA
R6 (187): Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU
R6 (192): Bryce Baringer, P, Michigan St.
R6 (210): Demario Douglas, WR, Liberty
R6 (214): Ameer Speed, CB, Michigan St.
R7 (245): Isaiah Bolden, CB, Jackson St.

Favorite Pick: Kayshon Boutte

I thought Patriots came out as one of the biggest winners of the draft as I loved their first two picks and think they added a lot of talented players. While I loved the guards that they added, taking a shot on a player like Kayshon Boutte in the 6th round is my type of draft pick.

Boutte’s journey has been a roller coaster. He had a monster freshman season and started off hot in sophomore season before breaking his ankle. Then everything fell apart. He had a down junior season, had the incident before the bowl game, and then a disappoint redraft. If the Patriots can find the freshman/sophomore version of Boutte, they hit a home run.

New York Jets get Rodgers a couple intriguing weapons

Day 3 Draft Class:
R4 (120): Carter Warren, OT, Pittsburgh
R5 (143): Israel Abanikanda, RB, Pittsburgh
R6 (184): Zaire Barnes, LB, Western Michigan
R6 (204): Jarrick Bernard-Converse, CB, LSU
R7 (220): Zack Kuntz, TE, Old Dominion

Favorite Pick: Zack Kuntz

Warren and Abanikanda were both really solid picks, but picking up Zack Kuntz in the 7th is fantastic value. He’s a work in progress as a tight end, but the athletic traits are off the charts.

Letting Kuntz sit and learn behind Tyler Conklin and C.J. Uzomah will be beneficial, but banking on elite athletic traits in the 7th round is a great value in my eyes.