#5 Denver Broncos
Key Day 3 Picks: WR Troy Franklin, CB Kris Abrams-Draine, RB Audric Estime, C Nick Garguilo
Analysis: Denver had only two picks in the first three rounds, the final four rounds were critical for Denver to salvage this draft. No one will mistake the overall grade for the Broncos, but if this is going to be a successful draft, Day 1 pick quarterback Bo Nix is going to be the central figure but Day 3 saw the Broncos get a few key picks that may influence that selection.
Denver drafted Nix’s top receiving partner from Oregon, Troy Franklin. Franklin and Nix combined for 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. Many draft analysts, including yours truly, had Franklin as a legit Top 75 pick so for the Broncos to get him at No. 102 looks to be a steal. Franklin could push Josh Reynolds for one of the boundary wide receiver positions with Courtland Sutton occupying the opposite side and Marvin Mims in the slot.
Audric Estime’s stock dropped due to his poor 40 time (4.71 seconds) but he was high impact for Notre Dame and is arguably the most powerful runner in this draft. Estime if he can keep conditioned should challenge Samaje Perine for the RB2 spot in Denver.
Denver Selects RB Audric Estime 147th Overall
🟠 PFF's Highest Graded Power Five RB in 2023 (94.0) pic.twitter.com/51FqhyM7dZ
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 27, 2024
Abrams-Draine comes with some risk for the Broncos due to his aggressiveness, but the converted cornerback led the SEC in passes defended a season ago and is excellent in run coverage.
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#4 Los Angeles Rams
Key Day 3 Picks: EDGE Brennan Jackson, DT Tyler Davis, K Joshua Karty, C Beaux Limmer
Analysis: With the departure of one of the sport’s immortals in defensive tackle Aaron Donald, head coach Sean McVay had an emphasis on rebuilding the defensive line in this draft with the Rams spending their Day 1 and 2 picks doing that.
That emphasis continued into Day 3 and defensive tackle Tyler Davis, who participated in 52 games at Clemson, should be an excellent fit into the rotation in the interior defensive line with Kobie Turner and Bobby Brown.
EDGE rusher Brennan Jackson needs some refinement but his ability to shed blockers should be him a very good situational defender on running downs to start.
Karty was by far the best kicker in this draft and has an enormous leg should be the starting kicker in Week 1 for the Rams.
Joshua Karty
97.0 career grade since 2021 (1st among all CFB kickers)
24/27 on 40+ yard FGs since 2022 (88.9%)
— PFF LA Rams (@PFF_Rams) April 27, 2024
#3 Green Bay Packers
Key Day 3 Picks: S Evan Williams, S Kitan Oladipo, C Jacob Monk
Analysis: The Packers had six Day 3 picks and really found tremendous value with each of them.
The pair of safeties Green Bay landed on Day 3 in Williams and Oladipo join Day 2 pick and top safety prospect Javon Bullard as the Packers rebuild their secondary. Williams led Oregon in tackles last season and Oladipo is one of the best tackling safeties in the draft.
Monk provides excellent depth behind Josh Meyer at center, he participated in 58 games at Duke, playing guard and tackle alongside center for the Blue Devils.
Jacob Monk in 2023:
343 pass-blocking snaps
1 sack allowed— PFF GB Packers (@PFF_Packers) April 27, 2024
Later, The Packers scored a best player available in former Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt in Round 7. While he isn’t going to start, he could provide some depth.
Cornerback Kalen King is a project that was once considered a Day 1 choice and had an underwhelming 2023 for Penn State. If Green Bay can develop him that would be a good bargain pickup.
#2 Baltimore Ravens
Key Day 3 Picks: WR Devontez Walker, CB T.J. Tampa, QB Devin Leary, C Nick Samac
Analysis: Baltimore hopes Devontez Walker continues to build off the momentum from his excellent combine and continues to develop, he has the body and makeup to be a solid starter in this league. Walker’s issues is his route running isn’t as polished as it should be and committed some bad drops.
Baltimore Selects CB T.J. Tampa 130th Overall
🟣 1 TD Allowed in 2023 (411 Coverage Snaps) pic.twitter.com/vxnhjygqsh
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 27, 2024
Tampa was one of the bigger draft steals in this draft, I rated him in my Top 75 and Baltimore selected him at No. 130. He will provide excellent depth to Marlon Humphrey and possesses the talent to challenge Day 1 pick Nate Wiggins.
Baltimore looks to try to continue its tradition of finding late-round running back gems in Rasheen Ali. Quarterback Devin Leary will push Josh Johnson to backup MVP Lamar Jackson, and Baltimore hopes Leary can develop into a capable backup. Lastly, Samac provides excellent depth to starter Tyler Linderbaum.
#1 Philadelphia Eagles
Key Day 3 Picks: RB Will Shipley, LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr., WR Johnny Wilson, G Dylan McMahon
Analysis: Philadelphia general manager Howie Roseman demonstrated during Day 3 why he is one of the best executives in the NFL.
One of the bigger steals of the draft.
The Eagles get Clemson LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. at 155th overall. pic.twitter.com/0JQnT21Dkl
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) April 27, 2024
Shipley provides excellent depth for the Eagles running back core and should be able to spell starter Saquon Barkley at key times. Roseman drafted another Clemson player and an Eagles legacy in Jeremiah Trotter Jr. Trotter may be the biggest steal in Day 3, I had him in my Top five linebackers in this draft and just inside my Top 100, the Eagles landed Trotter at No. 155 and should be able to effectively rotate with Nakobe Dean.
If the Eagles can solve the horrific drops Wilson committed at Florida State, the 6’6” 230-pound frame and unique physical tools Wilson possesses will make him the steal of the draft.
