Live 2017 NFL Draft Grades: Round 3

These Live 2017 NFL Draft Grades will be posted minutes after each pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Follow @walterfootball for updates.

2017 NFL Draft Grades - Round: Picks 1-16 | Picks 17-32 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | NFL Draft Team Grades

Cleveland Browns: Larry Ogunjobi, DT, Charlotte: B Grade
The Browns will have to beat the Steelers at some point, and to do so, they’ll need to contain Le’Veon Bell. Larry Ogunjobi could help them do that. He’s a run-stuffing specialist who makes sense atop the third round. This is a solid choice.

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San Francisco 49ers: Ahkello Witherspoon, CB, Colorado: B+ Grade
The 49ers are having a great draft. In addition to this selection and what they did in the first round, they also picked up a second-round choice from the Bears in 2018, which could be in the 40-45 range. Witherspoon has consistency issues, but he’s a tall, speedy cornerback who actually covered John Ross well in their matchup. He could miss a lot of tackles, however.
New Orleans Saints: Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee: C+ Grade
This is a very difficult grade to make. On one hand, Alvin Kamara is a steal in the third round because he easily could’ve gone exactly one round earlier. On the other hand, the Saints surrendered a 2018 second-round pick to get another running back, when they just signed Adrian Peterson? I don’t know about that. I’d love this if the Saints didn’t give up such a valuable resource, but I have to penalize them.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Dawuane Smoot, DE, Illinois: C+ Grade
Is anyone surprised that Tom Coughlin stayed true to his strategy and took an edge rusher even though he didn’t really need one all that much? I would’ve gone elsewhere, as Smoot lacks length and doesn’t have a natural position because he’s a tweener. He does have upside, however, so this pick could work out.
Los Angeles Rams: Cooper Kupp, WR, Eastern Washington: B Grade
It doesn’t really matter whom the Rams add at receiver; they could have Jerry Rice and Cris Carter in their prime, and Jared Goff would still be terrible. Cooper Kupp is a smart receiver who is a big threat in the red zone, and he obviously fills a need. He also makes sense in this range. It’s a solid choice, but Kupp will need Goof to leave in order to post solid numbers.
Minnesota Vikings: Pat Elflein, C, Ohio State: C Grade
I loved Minnesota’s first pick. This one? Not so much. The Vikings moved up in the third round to select a fourth-round prospect, so I don’t really like this move. I don’t hate it though, as there aren’t very many good offensive linemen, and Minnesota is desperate. Pat Elflein can start at guard right away and eventually move to center in a couple of years.

Los Angeles Chargers: Dan Feeney, G, Indiana: A+ Grade
This might end up being the best pick in the third round. Sure, it’s another guard, but the Chargers were desperate for offensive line help across the board, save for center. No one had to teach the Chargers that they had to bolster Philip Rivers’ protection, and Dan Feeney provides great value in the third round when he could’ve gone early in the second frame.
Tennessee Titans: Taywan Taylor, WR, Western Kentucky: C Grade
The Titans reached when they took their first receiver, and they moved up for their second. I’m not thrilled with either pick, but I don’t hate this selection. Taywan Taylor makes sense as a third-round selection, and Tennessee had to keep adding talent around Marcus Mariota.
Cincinnati Bengals: Jordan Willis, DE, Kansas State: A+ Grade
I wrote that the Chargers’ pick of Dan Feeney could go down as the best pick in the third round. Well, it just received some competition. Jordan Willis is a highly athletic pass-rusher who easily could’ve been chosen at the bottom of the first round. That’s actually where I had him, but I’m not sure why he dropped so far. The Bengals won’t complain, as he should be able to help their mediocre pass rush.

Baltimore Ravens: Chris Wormley, DE/DT, Michigan: A Grade
I love this pick. Chris Wormley doesn’t have great upside, but he’s very versatile and has great leadership skills. The Ravens needed someone like him after trading Timmy Jernigan, and I thought he could’ve been chosen a round earlier than he ended up going. This is another solid move by Ozzie Newsome.
Atlanta Falcons: Duke Riley, LB, LSU: B Grade
Duke Riley doesn’t have much experience as a 1-year starter at LSU, but he was a big-time play-maker this past season. He’s very athletic, which the Falcons love. Atlanta needed a linebacker, so this pick makes sense. Riley fits the range as a solid third-round prospect.
New Orleans Saints: Alex Anzalone, LB, Florida: B- Grade
Another athletic linebacker is chosen in the third round, but I like this a bit less than the Duke Riley selection. Alex Anzalone has a good chance to become a decent pro, but the injuries are a big concern. He’s been hurt a lot, so I have major worries if he can stay healthy. I had him slotted late in the third round for this reason, so I suppose taking him here isn’t a big reach.

Carolina Panthers: Daeshon Hall, DE, Texas A&M: C Grade
The Panthers moved up about 20 spots to select Daeshon Hall, surrendering a fourth-round pick in the process. I’m not sure it’s worth it, as there still plenty of talented edge rushers still on the board. Daeshon Hall is a good one, as he possesses very good athleticism. He fills a need as a successor for Charles Johnson, but I don’t like the trade.
Baltimore Ravens: Tim Williams, DE/OLB, Alabama: A Grade
Tim Williams was once considered a first-round prospect. However, off-the-field issues and average testing sunk his stock. Still, he’s a great prospect, and I think he’s worth the gamble in the third round. Baltimore had to obtain another edge rusher, and Williams provides great value. Despite his issues, I still thought he had a chance to be chosen in the second round.

New York Jets: ArDarius Stewart, WR, Alabama: B Grade
Most teams we spoke to had ArDarius Stewart in the third-round range, so I’m definitely not surprised to see him taken in this area. He also fills a need for the Jets, who had to replace Brandon Marshall. This is a solid pick for the Jets. At the very least, they’ll get great special-teams play out of Stewart.
Indianapolis Colts: Tarell Basham, DE/OLB, Ohio: B Grade
I had Tarell Basham going 84th overall, so I think he makes sense in this range. Basham was very productive at Ohio and possesses very good athleticism. He has solid upside, and he could turn into a potent pass-rusher for the Colts, who need as much help getting to the quarterback as possible.
Washington Redskins: Fabian Moreau, CB, UCLA: A Grade
Fabian Moreau may have gone in the first round if he didn’t have any sort of injury questions. Moreau, however, tore his chest and it’s unclear how soon he’ll be ready to play. Still, Moreau is a talented cornerback with outstanding athleticism. He has so much upside, and he could emerge as someone who can run with Odell Beckham Jr. effectively. This is a great pick, and he’s worth the risk.
Denver Broncos: Carlos Henderson, WR, Louisana Tech: A- Grade
There was some speculation that Carlos Henderson would be chosen in the second round. I had him in the third frame, but I think this is solid value. Henderson has terrific athleticism and plays much bigger than his 5-11 frame. He’s a perfect slot receiver to go along with Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders.
New England Patriots: Derek Rivers, DE, Youngstown State: A Grade
Despite the Patriots trading for Kony Ealy, they needed to add another edge rusher. Derek Rivers was highly productive, albeit at a 1-AA school in Youngstown State. Still, he proved that he belongs when he tested extremely well at the combine, and he fits what the Patriots typically look for in a prospect. I think this is a good match, and Rivers provides value, as he could’ve been chosen in the second round.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chris Godwin, WR, Penn State: A Grade
The Buccaneers are having a terrific draft thus far. They’ve added a second offensive weapon (O.J. Howard) to go along with Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson, and Chris Godwin certainly was needed. The Buccaneers had to acquire a third receiver, and Godwin provides very good value, as he could’ve been chosen in the second round. Godwin was one of the top testers at the combine, and he has the production to match it, so I don’t know how he lasted until the middle of the third round.

New England Patriots: Antonio Garcia, OT, Troy: A- Grade
We know of a team that was going to consider selecting Antonio Garcia in the second round, but something happened and offensive tackle was suddenly not a need anymore. With that in mind, I like the value the Patriots are once again getting here in the middle of the third frame. Garcia could replace Nate Solder in 2018, as Solder is entering his contract year.
Kansas City Chiefs: Kareem Hunt, RB, Toledo: A- Grade
I really like this fit, as Kareem Hunt seems perfect for Andy Reid’s offense. Hunt is a very skilled runner who is terrific at catching passes out of the backfield. He fits the range in the third round and fills a need. It would not surprise me at all if he’s Kansas City’s starting running point at some point in 2017.
New York Giants: Davis Webb, QB, California: A- Grade
I mocked Davis Webb to the Giants in the second round, so I obviously love this value. Webb should’ve gone earlier than this, as he actually has more upside than Jared Goff. He’s a lot like Goff in that he needs to work on the mental part of his game, but he has a great arm. The difference could be that Webb is more serious about being a pro. If so, he might be able to replace the declining memorabilia salesman the Giants currently have at quarterback.

Oakland Raiders: Eddie Vanderdoes, DT, UCLA: B+ Grade
Once upon a time, Eddie Vanderdoes was a first-round pick. I’m actually pretty sure I had him in the opening frame in my initial 2017 NFL Mock Draft. Unfortunately for Vanderdoes, he has endured so many injuries throughout his career. If he can stay healthy – and that’s a huge “if” – he can be a very solid starter for the Raiders. This pick is risky, given the durability concerns, but he’s worth taking a shot on in the second half of the third round.
Houston Texans: D’Onta Foreman, RB, Texans: B+ Grade
I have to say that it was a bit awkward to see Brian Cushing make this pick when the Texans selected someone to replace him with their preceding choice. The Texans made another solid decision in the third round, as they wanted a capable backup for Lamar Miller. Foreman is a solid pick, as he easily could’ve gone 20-25 selections earlier than this.
Seattle Seahawks: Shaq Griffin, CB, Central Florida: B+ Grade
The Seahawks needed to obtain at least one cornerback in this draft. Richard Sherman could be dealt at some point in the near future, and the position was a need even before that speculation began. It’s not a surprise that Seattle obtained a tall, athletic cornerback near the middle of the draft. That’s been a formula that has worked for them, and Griffin fits the range in the third round.
Los Angeles Rams: John Johnson, S, Boston College: RAMS R-A-M-E MILLEN Grade
You know, I was just thinking that we haven’t had many bad picks. It feels like almost everything has ranged from A+ to “B.” I don’t know what happened, but Philadelphia has transformed most franchises into competent drafters. Unfortunately, that has not affected the Rams and Bears. Los Angeles selected a player I had in the 200s of my big board. He fills a need, but this is an egregious reach.
Dallas Cowboys: Jourdan Lewis, CB, Michigan: A- Grade
The Cowboys have taken lots of chances on troubled players, so it’s no surprise that they’ve decided to take a shot on Jourdan Lewis. The Michigan product was charged with domestic violence a month ago. He’s a terrific talent who would’ve gone much earlier had he been clean off the field, but he’s worth the risk toward the end of the third round.
Green Bay Packers: Montravius Adams, DE/DT, Auburn: B Grade
I thought Montravius Adams was going to be chosen a bit earlier than this, as he’s an athletic, interior pass-rusher. However, he struggles to defend the run and doesn’t have a very good motor, so I’m not crazy about this pick. I think it’s fine, as he can be a decent rotational defensive lineman.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Cameron Sutton, CB, Tennessee: B Grade
I had Cameron Sutton going around this range, so it makes sense from a range standpoint, and it’s no surprise that the Steelers have opted to land a cornerback on Day 2, as they were reported to be looking for one here. Sutton struggles to tackle and tested poorly at the combine, but he’s decent in coverage. He’s not an exciting pick, but he makes sense for Pittsburgh.
Seattle Seahawks: Delano Hill, S, Michigan: D Grade
The Seahawks have a great front office, but they even miss sometimes. I think this is a whiff, as Delano Hill was a late-round prospect for me. Hill tested poorly at the combine and looked pretty bad in the drills. He’s not impressive at all, but there’s a chance he could be a special-teams stud for Seattle. That said, I don’t think you take someone like that in the third round.
Detroit Lions: Kenny Golladay, WR, Northern Illinois: D Grade
The bad picks are beginning to come in! This isn’t quite a Millen grade – although it is Detroit taking a receiver – but it’s still pretty discouraging to see something like this. Kenny Golladay has nice hands and won’t drop many passes as a result, but he struggles to run routes, which is very important. Golladay is raw and may not be ready to contribute for quite some time, making this a dubious selection.
Miami Dolphins: Cordrea Tankersley, CB, Clemson: A Grade
The Dolphins kick off the compensatory portion of the third round with a great selection. I had Tankersley slotted to the Dolphins in the second round of my mock draft, so I obviously love this value. Miami had to find another cornerback, and Tankersley was one of the best prospects still on the board. He didn’t test well, but he was very productive at Clemson.
Arizona Cardinals: Chad Williams, WR, Grambling: B+ Grade
The Cardinals have taken chances on troubled players, and they’re doing that once again here. Chad Williams was arrested for firearm and marijuana possession a year ago. Thus, talent level is not the concern. It’s definitely a risk, but it could pay off, and Arizona is desperate for a receiver. Besides, the Cardinals moved down 21 spots to take Williams, so that helps this grade a bit.
Philadelphia Eagles: Rasul Douglas, CB, West Virginia: B Grade
It’s hardly a surprise that the Eagles have opted to double down on cornerbacks. They had an extreme need at the position, and the first corner they chose may not be ready to play until 2018. Douglas is a solid choice, as I had him slotted only slightly later than this. Douglas is a tall cornerback who accumulated plenty of interceptions this past season, so he might be able to start right away, though I think he needs some work.
Tennessee Titans: Jonnu Smith, TE, Florida International: A Grade
If this were a weaker tight end class, Jonnu Smith could’ve been taken 20-30 selections earlier than this. Smith is a very athletic player who was highly productive in college. He also blocks well, so there are very few holes in his game. The Titans needed to find a tight end to eventually take over for Delanie Walker, and Smith could be a nice weapon for Marcus Mariota in 2018 and beyond.
Denver Broncos: Brendan Langley, CB, Lamar: B- Grade
I had Brendan Langley slotted in the fifth round, as he’s a converted receiver who is still learning how to play cornerback. However, he has the athleticism and upside, and he has the luxury of sitting and learning behind some great veterans in Denver before being asked to take over. This pick could work out down the road even though it was a bit of a reach.
Seattle Seahawks: Nazair Jones, DE/DT, North Carolina: C+ Grade
Nazair Jones made a big mistake by declaring early, as he has yet to develop any sort of pass-rushing skills. Jones’ poor testing didn’t help either, so he’s a bit lucky to make it into the second day. The one thing Jones can do well is stuff the run, so he’ll help Seattle in that regard.

New Orleans Saints: Trey Hendrickson, DE, Florida Atlantic: A- Grade
The Saints’ draft thus far has been a roller coaster, and this is another “up.” I projected Trey Hendrickson to be chosen early in the third round with a chance to sneak into the second frame. Hendrickson is a terrific athlete who was productive in college, so I thought he would be taken off the board earlier than this. He fills a need for the Saints, so this is a great selection.
San Francisco 49ers: C.J. Beathard, QB, Iowa: DREW PEARSON REGISTERS AS 100-PERCENT USDA MAN MILLEN Grade
This pick reminds me so much of the Browns taking Cody Kessler last year. Kessler was a late-round prospect who was chosen in the third frame for some reason. The same happened with C.J. Beathard, whom I had in the Round 5-7 range. Making matters worse, the 49ers traded up for him! Why in the world would they do that!? Beathard has accuracy issues and miserable pocket awareness, and he just doesn’t look like anything more than an average backup in the NFL.
Pittsburgh Steelers: James Conner, RB, Pittsburgh: B+ Grade
The projections on James Conner were all over the place. I know that another team considered James Conner in the third round. However, a couple of other teams graded him as a late-round pick, and not all of that had to do with his ability. Some were scared that something terribly unfortunate could happen, and Conner’s cancer could return. If it doesn’t, Conner could be a great pro. He wasn’t as explosive last year as he was before his cancer, but he could regain his ability and be an effective NFL back. The Steelers needed a reserve behind Le’Veon Bell, and Conner should be a solid No. 2 runner at the very least if he stays healthy.
Seattle Seahawks: Amara Darboh, WR, Michigan: B+ Grade
Amara Darboh is an athletic player who tested well throughout the pre-draft process, so it’s hardly a surprise that the Seahawks targeted him. Darboh was productive at Michigan as well, so he should be a solid pro. The Seahawks will need another receiver to be a factor in a year or two, and Darboh should be able to contribute by then. He made sense with the penultimate selection in the third round.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kendell Beckwith, LB, LSU: C Grade
Had the Buccaneers just made the pick here, I would’ve given it a “B.” However, the Buccaneers traded up to take Kendell Beckwith. I doubt many teams were dying to select him around this range, given that he’s coming off a torn ACL and may not be able to play until 2018. I don’t know why a team would trade up for someone like that, but Beckwith could be a decent contributor for Tampa in 2018 and beyond.