By Charlie Campbell – @draftcampbell
May 5, 2017
Winners
Washington Redskins
I had the Bears in here last year, and that was proven true as Jordan Howard was a dynamic rookie after being a third-day pick for Chicago. A year from now, I think looking back could reflect that the Redskins made some similarly great picks on Day 3. To start Day 3 off, they landed a power back with Oklahoma’s Samaje Perine. He could be a really nice complement to Rob Kelley, and Perine will be a quick upgrade over the oft-injured Matt Jones. Meanwhile, Michigan State safety Montae Nicholson (6-2, 212) has a superb skill set with the size and strength to tackle as a strong safety with speed and length to be a free safety. He could be a real steal if he develops.
In the fifth round, the Redskins got a good inline tight end with Arkansas’ Jeremy Sprinkle. He can block and also is a receiving threat. Sprinkle could form a nice tandem with Jordan Reed a year or two from now, yet also offers the Redskins some immediate depth if Reed gets injured again.
In the late rounds, Washington got some size-speed freaks in Georgia State wide out Robert Davis (6-3, 219) and Louisville safety Josh Harvey-Clemons (6-4, 217). Both players have a lot of potential and upside to develop. Wyoming center Chase Roullier could compete at guard as well as man the middle of the line. Even seventh-rounder Joshua Holsey from Auburn has a lot of experience and could be a versatile backup at cornerback or safety. The Redskins finished off their phenomenal draft class with a great showing on Day 3.
New York Jets
Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan and right hand man Brian Heimerdinger had a superb showing on the third day of the 2017 raft. They landed some good wide receiver competition in California’s Chad Hansen, a player who many had as third-rounder. Clemson tight end Jordan Leggett gives the Jets a badly needed receiving option at the position, and he can create mismatches. Later in the fifth round, the Jets snagged a sleeper edge defender in West Georgia’s Dylan Donahue. He was a steal on Day 3 given his skill set. Louisiana-Lafayette running back Elijah McGuire was a steal in the sixth round. He is a great understudy as a running/receiving back for Matt Forte.
These picks by the Jets may not have superstar names, but they are all really good players. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Jets’ third-day picks contribute quickly and with a real positive impact for the team.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts’ drafting looked significantly improved under new general manager Chris Ballard compared to how Ryan Grigson would typically reach on bad players. Ballard had a nice showing on Day 3 highlighted by two players in particular. South Florida running back Marlon Mack was a steal late in the fourth round. He could have gone in Round 3 and has three-down starting potential. Mack should start out as a receiving back to spell old veteran Frank Gore, but before long Mack could be Indianapolis’ feature back.
The other player who I think was a good value is Northwestern linebacker Anthony Walker. If he trims some weight, he could be back to his 2015 form when he was all over the field and a tackling machine. Walker has good instincts and is tough. I think he could turn into a starter for Indianapolis. Five-technique defensive end Grover Stewart and cornerback Nate Hairston were also nice selections on Day 3 who could be contributors.
Losers
Dallas Cowboys
I liked the Cowboys’ first-round pick of Michigan defensive end Taco Charlton. That was a good player and a nice value where they landed him. However, I didn’t like what Dallas did on Days 2 and 3. On day 3, Dallas made a huge reach in the fourth round via North Carolina wide receiver Ryan Switzer. Other teams had him graded very late as Switzer (5-8, 181) is extremely undersized to even be a slot receiver. In fact, the Cowboys’ seventh-round pick Noah Brown is a much better fit for the NFL. Their sixth-round pick Marquez White got roasted last year, and I don’t think he will make it in the NFL. Lousiana Tech safety Xavier Woods is also undersized. Florida defensive tackle Joey Ivie (6-3, 301) is a hard-nose player, but I think Dallas wasted a pick on Colorado defensive tackle Jordan Carrell later in the seventh round. It wouldn’t surprise me if four of the Cowboys’ six third-day selections don’t make it in the NFL.
Back to Winners and Losers – Day 2
Back to Winners and Losers – Day 1
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