Live 2018 NFL Draft Grades: Round 3

These Live 2018 NFL Draft Grades will be posted minutes after each pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Follow @walterfootball for updates.

2018 NFL Draft Grades - Round: Picks 1-16 | Picks 17-32 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | NFL Draft Team Grades | Supplemental

Oakland Raiders: Brandon Parker, OT, North Carolina A&T C- Grade
The Raiders already selected one offensive tackle, so why move up for another one? I don’t get it. I don’t mind the position, as the Raiders needed to add two tackles with Donald Penn injured and in decline, but this trade up didn’t seem necessary at all.

Follow @walterfootball for updates. Also, you can Support Us on Patreon here!
New York Giants: Lorenzo Carter, OLB, Georgia A Grade
This should be considered a steal. Lorenzo Carter could’ve gone in the second round, so the Giants did well by staying patient and securing him atop Round 3. The one concern with Carter is his medical issue, but if he can remain healthy, he’ll be a very productive edge rusher in New York’s new 3-4 scheme.
Cleveland Browns: Chad Thomas, DE, Miami D Grade
Chad Thomas has nice size, but is inconsistent, often looking clueless. That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement of a third-round pick. I thought Chad Thomas would go somewhere in Rounds 4-6, so this seems like a pretty egregious reach. It’s not a Millen, but it’s close.

Houston Texans: Justin Reid, S, Stanford A+ Grade
This might just be the best pick in the third round, and it’s not a surprise, given that the Texans are making it. Houston has one of the top front offices in the NFL, and it’s getting an absolute steal in Reid, who could have gone at the end of the first round. Reid is a very versatile safety who will be able to play all over in Romeo Crennel’s secondary.
New York Giants: B.J. Hill, DT, N.C. State B+ Grade
A big, run-stuffing nose tackle absolutely makes sense for the Giants, who continue to add new personnel for their 3-4 scheme. I had Hill late in the second frame, so this makes sense from a range persepctive. New York seems to be having a strong draft thus far.

San Francisco 49ers: Fred Warner, LB, BYU A- Grade
Fred Warner is a rangy linebacker who should excel in coverage in the NFL. There were late rumblings that Warner could maybe sneak into the second round, so this is a nice value pick for the 49ers, who needed insurance in case Reuben Foster gets into more trouble.
Denver Broncos: Royce Freeman, RB, Oregon B Grade
Royce Freeman thrived at the combine, surprising some with his athleticism. He moved into third-round consideration, so the range makes sense. He also fills a big need in the wake of C.J. Anderson’s inexplicable release. This is a logical, albeit unexciting pick.

New York Jets: Nathan Shepherd, DT, Fort Hays State B Grade
Nathan Shepherd was dominant in his Division II school, routinely taking on multiple blockers and generating interior pressure. We’ll see if that translates to the NFL, but he has the athletic ability to succeed. This is a high-upside pick, though I wish the Jets used this selection to help new quarterback Sam Darnold.
Miami Dolphins: Jerome Baker, LB, Ohio State B+ Grade
Jerome Baker has a great combination of speed and athleticism, and he’s well worth a pick in the third round. I like this choice for the Dolphins, as Baker fills a big need. Miami didn’t have a strongside linebacker on the roster, which was kind of a problem. Baker should be able to start right away, though it’s not like he’ll have competition.

Washington Redskins: Geron Christian, OT, Louisville B- Grade
There were grades all over for Geron Christian. Some teams thought he could be a second-round prospect, while others had him on Day 3. Christian has great upside and could develop into a left tackle one day. He doesn’t fill a need for the Redskins right now, so a tackle probably should have been addressed a bit later.
Kansas City Chiefs: Derrick Nnadi, NT, Florida State C Grade
The Chiefs are making some Go-Go Gadget reaches here on Day 2. Derrick Nnadi is a stout run-stuffer, but that’s all he is. He probably should have been selected early on Day 3. This pick isn’t a great one, but I can understand why Kansas City made this move.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State D Grade
Ugh, you’d think the Steelers would’ve learned their lesson from Landry Jones. How many lollipop throwers from the Big XII do they need to draft before they know to stay away from them? I mean, why not just trade for Bryce Petty while they’re at it? Mason Rudolph wasn’t even one of the top two quarterbacks available. I wouldn’t absolutely hate this if the Steelers didn’t trade up, but they did, needlessly.
Cincinnati Bengals: Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State A+ Grade
We had Sam Hubbard in the opening round! I suppose he fell because he never lived up to his ability for most of his collegiate career, but he ended it with a bang. I thought this might convince teams to select him early, but apparently not. Still, it’s a high-upside selection, as Hubbard should help the edge rush.

Cincinnati Bengals: Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas C Grade
Once upon a time, I had Malik Jefferson in the first round of my 2018 NFL Mock Draft. He fell to the third or fourth round because of a down 2017 campaign, as well as rumblings that he had a lack of passion for football. That’s not someone I’d want to draft in the third round, but the upside is certainly there.
Seattle Seahawks: Rasheem Green, DE/DT, USC B Grade
Rasheem Green is a nice upside pick for the Seahawks. He has starting ability, but he needs to bulk up for the pros. He also has some medical concerns. There’s probably a high-percentage chance that Green flops, but he could also be a dynamic defensive lineman in the future.

Houston Texans: Martinas Rankin, OT/G, Mississippi State A- Grade
No one should be surprised that the Texans are addressing their offensive line, as they absolutely need to protect Deshaun Watson. It’ll be interesting to see if the Texans use Martinas Rankin at offensive tackle or guard, as he could play in both spots. Rankin could’ve gone in the second round without any qualms, so I like this selection.
Dallas Cowboys: Michael Gallup, WR, Colorado State A- Grade
The Cowboys finally found their receiver. Michael Gallup has great speed and separation – something Dez Bryant lacked in his final days in Dallas. Gallup should be a nice, downfield threat for the Cowboys, and some could have argued that he could have been taken a bit earlier than this, so I like this selection.
Detroit Lions: Tracy Walker, S, Louisiana-Lafayete THE GHOST OF MILLEN STRIKES AGAIN Grade
Ladies and gentlemen, our first Millen pick of the second day of the draft! Tracy Walker is a late-round prospect with good instincts, but he seems more like a special-teams player. The Lions almost certainly could have gotten Walker in the fourth or even fifth rounds.
Baltimore Ravens: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma C+ Grade
I feel like everyone on the NFL Network telecast loves this because of ‘Member Berries. Orlando Brown’s late, great father was an amazing blocker for the Ravens. This version of Orlando Brown isn’t nearly as good, or as motivated. Brown had one of the worst workouts of all time at the combine, as it didn’t look like he cared. Brown has physical talent, so I don’t hate this pick, but Baltimore better make sure it motivates this guy, or he won’t be in the NFL very long.
Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Jones, DT, N.C. State A- Grade
The Chargers wanted Rasheem Green, but Justin Jones definitely isn’t a bad consolation prize. Jones has a quick first step and can beat his opponents with plenty of moves to collapse the pocket. He should be able to help San Angeles apply some much-needed interior pressure on the improving quarterback group in the AFC West. This is a solid pick, as I thought Jones may have gone earlier than this. If he were more consistent, he would’ve definitely gone in the second round.
Carolina Panthers: Rashaan Gaulden, CB/S, Tennessee A Grade
Rashaan Gaulden is a very versatile player who should be able to help the Panthers’ atrocious secondary in some regard. I love the idea of picking Tennessee prospects because Butch Jones was such a horrible coach that he didn’t get anything out of his players. Gaulden is a second-round talent.

Baltimore Ravens: Mark Andrews, TE, Oklahoma A- Grade
It’s not a surprise at all that the Ravens doubled up on tight ends. They really wanted to improve the intermediate part of the passing attack, so bringing in Andrews to pair with Hayden Hurst makes a lot of sense. Andrews could’ve gone earlier than this, so I love this value.
Oakland Raiders: Arden Key, DE, LSU B+ Grade
Arden Key is a first-round talent. He’s a great athlete who should be able to develop into a stellar player if he stays clean. The “staying clean” part of it is a problem, however, as Key has both off-the-field and medical problems. Still, in the third round, why not take a gamble?

Green Bay Packers: Oren Burks, LB, Vanderbilt B+ Grade
Oren Burks is a solid pick in the middle of the third round. He’s an athletic linebacker with nice instincts, and he could eventually become a starter for the Packers, who desperately needed some inside linebacker help.
Los Angeles Rams: Joseph Noteboom, OT, TCU B+ Grade
This is a solid, logical pick. The Rams wanted to find an heir for Andrew Whitworth, and Joseph Noteboom has the potential to one day become a starting blind-side protector. Noteboom has solid athleticism, but needs to improve his strength to be a better linebacker. He’ll be able to sit for a couple of years.
Atlanta Falcons: Deadrin Senat, DT, South Florida B Grade
Deadrin Senat is a powerful nose tackle, but doesn’t have good length, which could be a problem in the pros. There’s some potential here for Senat to be a quality, rotational player, however, and I think the range makes sense for him in the third round. This is a decent choice.
New Orleans Saints: Tre’Quan Smith, WR, Central Florida B Grade
The Saints signed Cameron Meredith, but they can’t be overly confident about his health. Tre’Quan Smith has the potential to be a solid, No. 2 possession receiver in the NFL. His best attribute might be his blocking, so he’ll help Alvin Kamara break for more long runs. Smith makes sense in this range.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Chukwuma Okorafor, OT, Western Michigan C Grade
Chukwuma Okorafor is one of those “looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane” sort of players. He’s an athletic, powerful tackle who should be a much better player than he is, but he’s not motivated. The Steelers might just be able to coach him up, so I don’t hate this pick. However, Okorafor has a high chance of busting.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama A+ Grade
“Wow” is what I just said aloud. Harrison is the third prospect I forgot was still on the board on Day 2. Harrison was a high second-round prospect, and if he would’ve been taken late in the first, I wouldn’t have hated it. Harrison is a very talented safety who will make Jacksonville’s defense even more dominant.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Alex Cappa, G/OT, Humboldt State B Grade
Alex Cappa was one of the least-athletic offensive linemen in this class, but that’s not a big deal. Cappa is a strong blocker who should be able to open up some big holes for Ronald Jones. I thought Cappa would go in this range after a terrific Senior Bowl, so this seems like a solid selection.
San Francisco 49ers: Tarvarius Moore, S, Southern Miss B+ Grade
Tarvarius Moore was definitely a late riser, as I placed him in the third round of my 2018 NFL Mock Draft several weeks ago. He had an amazing pro day, running a 4.32 40 with an 11-1 broad jump. Moore is a very explosive athlete, but needs to get stronger. This is a high-upside pick that make sense, as the 49ers needed to replace Eric Reid.
Buffalo Bills: Harrison Phillips, DT, Stanford B Grade
I like Harrison Phillips, especially in this range. However, I thought the Bills would select more of a pass-rushing interior presence with this pick. Phillips is a lot like Kyle Williams (now; not earlier in his career) and Star Lotulelei, as he’s a powerful run-stuffer who doesn’t have great pass-rushing ability. Still, Phillips is a bit of a bargain here, and Buffalo fans will love his motor.

Arizona Cardinals: Mason Cole, C, Michigan A- Grade
The Cardinals found their next quarterback, then they gave him a dynamic weapon to work with. Now, it was time to give him better protection, which was essential, given the state of the poor offensive line. Mason Cole played left tackle at Michigan, but he’s a natural, fundamentally sound center. I think Cole could’ve gone about 20 picks earlier than this, so I like the value.
Houston Texans: Jordan Akins, TE, Central Florida B- Grade
The Texans wanted to add a new tight end, as they’ve struggled at the position since Owen Daniels’ departure. Jordan Akins has his fans and haters, however. Akins has extreme potential with some great athletic ability, so he could become a dominant pro. However, he has motivational and health issues, so there’s a good chance he flops as well. I would’ve liked this pick better in the fourth round, but it’s not a bad one.
Denver Broncos: Isaac Yiadom, CB, Boston College B+ Grade
The Broncos coached Isaac Yiadom at the Senior Bowl, so they obviously liked what they saw. Yiadom is a tall cornerback who has the potential to start one day, as he could replace Aqib Talib. I thought he’d go in the Round 3-4 range, so this pick is a very logical one.
Kansas City Chiefs: Dorian O’Daniel, LB, Clemson C Grade
Dorian O’Daniel should be able to cover well if he plays on defense, but he’ll have trouble tackling and shedding blocks. O’Daniel’s strength should be special teams. So, as you can tell, the Chiefs reached with this choice. I had O’Daniel in the fifth round, so the Chiefs could’ve obtained him or a comparable player later.