Live 2024 NFL Draft Grades: Round 3

These Live 2024 NFL Draft Grades will be posted minutes after each pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Follow @walterfootball for updates.

2024 NFL Draft Grades - Round: Picks 1-16 | Picks 17-32 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | NFL Draft Team Grades

New York Jets: Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky – A Grade
The Jets had to draft a receiver, especially after relinquishing resources after trading up. They didn’t have any downfield play-makers outside of Garrett Wilson, but now they potentially do with Malachi Corley, a second-round prospect who has drawn comparisons to Deebo Samuel.

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Arizona Cardinals: Trey Benson, RB, Florida State – A- Grade
James Conner is coming off an excellent season, but the Cardinals needed to add another running back as an insurance policy and a future starter. I thought there was a good chance Trey Benson would go toward the middle of the second round, so I like this value.
Washington Redskins: Brandon Coleman, OT, TCU – C+ Grade
The Redskins needed a left tackle. Brandon Coleman played left tackle, but he’ll likely have to move to right tackle or guard in the NFL. Coleman was seen as a fringe second-day prospect, so the value isn’t quite here either.
New England Patriots: Caedan Wallace, OT, Penn State – C- Grade
This reminds me of the Bill Belichick days when Belichick would just throw his arms up in the air and draft players way ahead of schedule because his big board was blown up. We had Caeden Wallace firmly as a third-day player, so this is a reach for sure. I like adding a lineman for Drake Maye, but Wallace could have been chosen later.
Los Angeles Chargers: Junior Colson, LB, Michigan – A+ Grade
Jim Harbaugh gets his man. Junior Colson is a player I had slotted earlier in the second round, so getting Colson in the third frame is a steal. Colson also fills a need for the Chargers, who have had issues at linebacker for a very long time.
New York Giants: Andru Phillips, CB, Kentucky – D Grade
The Giants needed to continue to bolster their dreadful offense, whether it was via offensive linemen or receivers. I get adding a cornerback, another problematic area, but they could have drafted Andru Phillips later. Phillips was a falling prospect, according to Charlie Campbell’s recent stock report.
Arizona Cardinals: Isaiah Adams, OT/G, Illinois – C+ Grade
The Cardinals made a big mistake by passing on Jackson Powers-Johnson earlier, so it’s no surprise to see them finally address the offensive line. Isaiah Adams was considered a fringe second-day prospect, but he’s a needed piece for a team that needs to protect its brittle quarterback.
Carolina Panthers: Trevin Wallace, LB, Kentucky – B+ Grade
The Panthers lost Frankie Luvu to free agency this offseason, so they needed to find some linebacker help. Trevin Wallace is a freak athlete with tons of upside, so I like the Panthers swinging for the fences here to help improve their defense.
Dallas Cowboys: Cooper Beebe, G, Kansas State – A- Grade
Any offensive lineman makes sense for the Cowboys, who lost some talented blockers this offseason. Cooper Beebe is a rock-solid interior lineman who can definitely improve the blocking unit. I thought he could have gone in the second round, so I like the value.
Atlanta Falcons: Bralen Trice, DE, Washington – B Grade
The Falcons finally get their pass rusher after foolishly passing on Laiatu Latu. Bralen Trice is someone we had earlier in our mock ahead of the 2023 season, but he had a disappointing year. Perhaps the Falcons are buying low with him.
Chicago Bears: Kiran Amegadjie, OT, Yale – A Grade
Kiran Amegadjie is someone who could be a Pro Bowler in the future. He’s a lengthy tackle with a good skill set. He’s a big of a project, but I thought there was a chance he could go in the second round. I love this value for the Bears, who are doing a good thing by adding to Caleb Williams’ protection.
Denver Broncos: Jonah Elliss, DE/OLB, Utah – B Grade
The Broncos had interest in Laiatu Latu, so they may have taken him had they not needed a quarterback. Thus, it’s not a surprise to see them address their weak edge rush with this pick. Jonah Elliss fits the range and fills a need, but he’s a bit undersized, so his snap count will be limited.
Las Vegas Raiders: Delmar Glaze, OT, Maryland – D Grade
On one hand, I like that the Raiders are adding to their weak offensive line. On the other hand … why Delmar Glaze? The Maryland product was considered a day-three prospect, so this is too early for him. Glaze is considered a backup swing tackle for the pros.
Houston Texans: Calen Bullock, S, USC – A- Grade
I really like this pick for the Texans. They needed to continue to add to their secondary with the improved passing attacks in the AFC South. Calen Bullock is a very instinctive player who makes splash plays, so he can play well right away.
Indianapolis Colts: Matt Goncalves, OT/G, Pittsburgh – B Grade
I don’t think the Colts really needed to trade up for Matt Goncalves, but I don’t hate the decision. Goncalves has positional versatility up front, as he can play guard and tackle. He could compete for a starting job sooner rather than later.
Cincinnati Bengals: Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama – B Grade
Jermaine Burton has some character concerns, but that never bothered the Bengals. It could be argued that Burton is worth the risk in this spot, especially given that the Bengals need some receivers as replacements for departed players.
Seattle Seahawks: Christian Haynes, G, Connecticut – A- Grade
No one should be surprised that the Seahawks are addressing the interior of the offensive line, given that they lost all three starters from last year. Christian Haynes fits the range here in the middle of the third round, and he fills a big need. There are some size limitations with him, but he’s a tough player.
Arizona Cardinals: Tip Reiman, TE, Illinois – MILLEN Grade
We had Tip Reiman slotted as a round 5-7 prospect. Reiman doesn’t fill a need either. What the hell is this pick?
Los Angeles Rams: Blake Corum, RB, Michigan – B- Grade
This is a disappointing destination for Blake Corum because he’s not going to be able to play very much while Kyren Williams is healthy. However, Williams was hurt on multiple occasions last year, so I understand the Rams finding a quality insurance policy.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan – A+ Grade
The Steelers always knock it out of the park with their day-two receiver picks, and I think they’re getting another stud with this selection. Roman Wilson could have gone in the second round, so Wilson provides great value while filling a big need.
Cleveland Browns: Zak Zinter, G, Michigan – B+ Grade
The Browns had some injuries on the offensive line last year, so it makes sense for them to find some quality depth and a future starter. Zak Zinter is a solid player who would have gone earlier if it weren’t for injury concerns.
San Francisco 49ers: Dominick Puni, OT/G, Kansas – B+ Grade
The 49ers have Trent Williams, but the rest of the offensive line is underwhelming. They needed a right tackle to replace Mike McGlinchey and a future blind-side protector when Williams leaves. Dominick Puni can play both tackle spots and also guard, so the 49ers can use him everywhere.
Dallas Cowboys: Marist Liufau, LB, Notre Dame – A Grade
The Cowboys lost Leighton Vander Esch, so they had to find a new linebacker. Marist Liufau is a potential solid replacement, as he has terrific athleticism, speed, and upside. I thought he’d go earlier than this, perhaps even the second round, so I love the value.
Green Bay Packers: Marshawn Lloyd, RB, USC – B Grade
It’s unclear why the Packers retained A.J. Dillon. I suspect Marshawn Lloyd will take his job as Josh Jacobs’ direct backup. Marshawn Lloyd is a tough, downhill runner who was expected to be chosen in this area, so this pick makes sense.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tykee Smith, S/CB, Georgia – B+ Grade
Tykee Smith has some size limitations, but he’s an instinctive player, so I like this pick. The Buccaneers had some major problems stopping the pass last year, so I like them adding someone like this.
Arizona Cardinals: Elijah Jones, CB, Boston College – C Grade
The Cardinals are reaching once again, though this pick isn’t as egregious as the Tip Reiman selection. Elijah Jones was slotted in the round 4-6 range, so Arizona should have considered moving down or taking him a bit later. Still, I don’t hate this pick because addressing the secondary is a must.
Green Bay Packers: Ty’Ron Hopper, LB, Missouri – C Grade
We had Ty’Ron Hopper going early during the third day, so while this is a reach, it’s not too bad of a reach. Hopper is a bit of a tweener though, which is the real problem with this pick. He may be a career special-teamer for that reason.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jalen McMillan, WR, Washington – A Grade
Jalen McMillan is the forgotten receiver for Washington, but he should have gone earlier than this. In fact, McMillan could have gone in the second round without any complaints. McMillan has some injury question marks, but he’s talented and could take over for one of the Tampa veterans in a year or two.
Baltimore Ravens: Adisa Isaac, DE, Penn State – A- Grade
While Chop Robinson went in the first round, I thought Adisa Isaac could have been chosen in the second frame. He’s a good value at this spot as a well-rounded edge player. It makes sense for the Ravens to add someone who can help get pressure on Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow.
Philadelphia Eagles: Jalyx Hunt, DE, Houston Christian – A Grade
I mocked Jalyx Hunt to the Eagles in the second round of my re-draft ahead of Friday. Jalyx Hunt is a project, but he has immense upside and could be a Pro Bowler one day. It’s not a surprise that the Eagles are landing a talented player who can contribute in the future.
Buffalo Bills: DeWayne Carter, DT, Duke – B+ Grade
DeWayne Carter makes sense here for the Bills as a fringe second-day prospect. Buffalo had a weakness in the interior of the defensive line as far as depth is concerned, so Carter will help in that regard as he improves the team’s ability to stop the run.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Jarrian Jones, CB, Florida State – C Grade
Jarrian Jones is a very raw player who could end up being a decent starter, or could be out of the NFL in two years. Jones should have gone a round later than this, so the Jaguars definitely reached with this pick.
Cincinnati Bengals: McKinnley Jackson, NT, Mississippi State – C Grade
The Bengals are making a big reach for McKinnley Jackson here because they missed out on T’Vondre Sweat. I don’t hate this pick because Jackson potentially fills a big need as a run-stuffer, but he’s not a very good player.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Payton Wilson, LB, N.C. State – B Grade
This might be deemed a steal by the media because Payton Wilson is a terrific player who fell because of injuries. However, I suspected Wilson would go in the third round because of those injuries. Wilson has major health problems and may not be able to stay on the field. If he can, however, he could be a great player for Pittsburgh, filling a big position of need.
Los Angeles Rams: Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami – B+ Grade
I thought Kamren Kinchens would go way earlier than this during the pre-draft process, but it was clear he would fall because of some injury concerns. However, Kinchens is an instinctive safety who will be able to play right away. The Rams needed defensive backs after having so many issues in that area last year.
Washington Redskins: Luke McCaffrey, WR, Rice – B- Grade
The Redskins were thought to be stacked at receiver last year, but with Jahan Dotson struggling in his second year and Curtis Samuel gone, the Redskins needed help at the position. Christian McCaffrey’s brother was thought to go a bit later than this as a developmental project, but the range is fine, and he fills a need.