Live 2019 NFL Draft Grades: Round 3

These Live 2019 NFL Draft Grades will be posted minutes after each pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Follow @walterfootball for updates.

2019 NFL Draft Grades - Round: Picks 1-16 | Picks 17-32 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | NFL Draft Team Grades | Supplemental

Arizona Cardinals: Zach Allen, DE/DT, Boston College B+ Grade
I once considered Zach Allen to be a first-round prospect, but dropped him after he tested poorly during the pre-draft process. However, Allen is a good player who gives tremendous effort. He should be a quality pro for the Cardinals, who needed to find a replacement for Calais Campbell. This is a solid pick.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Diontae Johnson, WR, Toledo C Grade
The Steelers used the pick they acquired for Antonio Brown on a receiver. Diontae Johnson is an explosive downfield threat, but I think this is a round too high for him. Johnson still doesn’t know how to run routes well, so I can’t see him contributing consistently as a rookie. He has tremendous upside, but the Steelers could’ve traded down or waited a bit for Johnson.
San Francisco 49ers: Jalen Hurd, WR, Baylor C- Grade
Another receiver? I don’t get it. The 49ers have many other needs to address, so I don’t agree with two early choices being used on a wideout. I could understand it if Jalen Hurd happened to be a steal, but he’s not. He’s a terrific athlete, but happens to be a very raw route runner. He’s a project who should’ve been chosen in the fourth round.

New York Jets: Jachai Polite, DE/OLB, Florida B Grade
This pick has immense upside because Jachai Polite has great talent. He has put together some strong tape at times, but he doesn’t always try hard. He was out of shape at the combine, which is why he wasn’t chosen in the first round. He comes with immense risk, but if the Jets can motivate him, they’ll get a great talent who fills a big need.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Josh Oliver, TE, San Jose State B+ Grade
The Jaguars needed an upgrade at tight end, and they managed to find a good player at the position. Oliver is very athletic, and he also has earned high-character marks. He’ll try his hardest for his new team, serving as a reliable weapon for Nick Foles. Oliver doesn’t block well at all, but that won’t matter much, given what his role will be in Jacksonville.

Los Angeles Rams: Darrell Henderson, RB, Memphis B+ Grade
I had Darrell Henderson going to the Rams with their first pick in the third round, so I like the range for him. This is exactly where Henderson should have gone. He’s not an every-down ball-carrier in the slightest, but he’s an explosive play-maker who will be a nice insurance policy for Todd Gurley and his troublesome knees.

Denver Broncos: Dre’Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State A Grade
I love the value the Broncos are getting with Dre’Mont Jones. I highly doubt Jones will be able to be a three-down defensive tackle, but he’ll be a pass-rushing specialist on the front. Jones will get pushed around in the running game, but he’ll be able to generate a good deal of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Jones could’ve gone a round earlier than this, so the value is definitely there.
Cincinnati Bengals: Germaine Pratt, LB, N.C. State B+ Grade
The Bengals needed help at linebacker in the wake of Vontaze Burfict’s departure. I had Germaine Pratt going at the end of the second round, so this is decent value. Pratt is a terrific blitzer and run stopper. He’s not great in coverage, but not totally lost in that regard. The Bengals made a nice selection with Pratt.

Chicago Bears: David Montgomery, RB, Iowa State C+ Grade
David Montgomery is a talented running back who was projected to be chosen late in the second or early in the third round. Montgomery is a better runner than Jordan Howard, whom he will be replacing. Montgomery has nice vision and patience for a runner, which is important for a player at his position. That said, I’m not a huge fan of the Bears surrendering so much to move up to this spot.
Buffalo Bills: Devin Singletary, RB, Florida Atlantic A- Grade
The Bills have their running back of the future for when LeSean McCoy retires or becomes a film critic who spoils all of the major plot lines. Devin Singletary is a very talented running back who could have been chosen in the second round, so I like the value with this choice. The only problem is that Lane Kiffin ran Singletary into the ground, so Singletary might have a shorter career than expected.

Green Bay Packers: Jace Sternberger, TE, Texas A&M A- Grade
Jace Sternberger is a talented, vertical threat the Packers need at tight end. He should be able to take over for Jimmy Graham sooner rather than later, ultimately emerging as a potent threat for Aaron Rodgers. This is about the right range for Sternberger, making this a solid choice.
Washington Redskins: Terry McLaurin, WR, Ohio State A- Grade
The Redskins were absolutely desperate for receiving help, so this pick makes a ton of sense from a needs perspective, and also as far as the range is concerned; Terry McLaurin was expected to be a third-round pick. McLaurin, who had a great Senior Bowl performance, has great character traits and will be able to be a big-time contributor on special teams at the very least.

New England Patriots: Chase Winovich, DE/OLB, Michigan A Grade
Chase Winovich is the exact opposite of Rashan Gary. While Gary, the 12th-overall pick, has extreme athleticism, he didn’t try very hard at Michigan and failed to live up to expectations. Chase Winovich isn’t the same sort of athlete – though he tested better than expected – but he works hard and has a motor that doesn’t quit. He was more productive than Gary. He’s a Patriots type of player, and he should’ve been drafted a round earlier than this. New England made an outstanding selection with Winovich.
Miami Dolphins: Michael Deiter, G/C, Wisconsin B+ Grade
The Dolphins had the worst offensive line in the NFL entering the 2019 NFL Draft. They needed to use multiple selections on offensive linemen, and this is a nice start. Michael Deiter is a rock-solid mauler who can play either guard or center. He has plenty of solid tape and certainly fits the range in the middle of Round 3.

Los Angeles Rams: David Long, CB, Michigan B+ Grade
The Rams had to address cornerback after struggling with the position last year. David Long is a cornerback with great awareness, but struggled with penalties at Michigan. Still, he fills a need and the range as a mid-third-round prospect. This is a solid choice all around.
Cleveland Browns: Sione Takitaki, LB, BYU D Grade
This is a major reach, and I almost graded this as an “F.” There were so many other worse choices, however, so I’ll settle with a “D.” Sione Takitaki is a fast linebacker, but happens to be a tweener who may have to just be a special-teamer in his career. Takitaki also has a history of off-the-field issues, though he says he has turned his life around. We’ll see.
Detroit Lions: Will Harris, S, Boston College A- Grade
Will Harris is a “Patriots-type player,” through and through. I mocked Harris to the Patriots in the third round, so I’m not surprised at all that the Lions stole him from them. Harris is a talented player who provides great leadership skills. I like this pick from both a needs, range and fit perspective.
Tennessee Titans: Nate Davis, G/OT, Charlotte B+ Grade
Nate Davis played tackle at Charlotte, but he’ll slide inside to guard in the pros. He’ll fill a huge need for the Titans, who surrendered 11 sacks to the Ravens in a game last year. That cannot happen again, and Davis will help. Davis is a better run blocker at this stage, so he’ll open some big running lanes for Derrick Henry. He fits the range in the third round.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Justin Layne, CB, Michigan State A+ Grade
Wow, I forgot Justin Layne was still available. Layne got some late first-round buzz at some point, but was expected to be chosen in the second frame. Layne is an excellent cornerback with terrific ball skills. He’s an absolute steal for the Steelers, who needed someone like Layne to upgrade their poor secondary.
Kansas City Chiefs: Khalen Saunders, DT, Western Illinois A Grade
Khalen Saunders is very athletic and strong. He thrived in the Senior Bowl, making a name for himself by winning against talented Division I-A guards in the Senior Bowl practices. He’s a bit of a raw prospect, but his upside is immense. He’s a terrific pick here, as he easily could’ve been chosen in the second round.

Baltimore Ravens: Jaylon Ferguson, DE, Louisiana Tech A Grade
Jaylon Ferguson, based on his tape alone, would’ve been a first-round pick. We had him in the opening frame for a bit, but Ferguson dropped for two reasons: First, he has some minor character concerns; he had a misdemeanor battery charge. Second, Ferguson tested extremely poorly at the combine. Still, Ferguson is a good player and is worth the risk here, as the Ravens needed to find an edge rusher to replace Terrell Suggs and Za’Darius Smith.
Houston Texans: Kahale Warring, TE, San Diego State B+ Grade
Kahale Warring started just five games at San Diego State because he played other sports. However, he’s extremely physically gifted and possesses unreal upside. The Texans will need to coach him up very well to develop him, but Warring has Pro Bowl potential down the road. Perhaps he’ll be able to develop into Houston’s first potent tight end since Owen Daniels.
New England Patriots: Damien Harris, RB, Alabama A+ Grade
This is one of the top picks of the third round. The Patriots needed to find a running back to play alongside Sony Michel and James White, as giving the ball to the plodding Rex Burkhead is always a wasted down. Harris is not only a talented runner, but also a stellar pass protector. He was also a team captain at Alabama, so I can’t say I’m surprised that New England made this selection.

Seattle Seahawks: Cody Barton, LB, Utah D- Grade
I don’t understand Seattle’s draft board. Cody Barton is yet another third-day player the Seahawks have chosen in the first three rounds. Cody Barton seems like a special-teamer and sub-package player only. That’s the sort of guy you choose in the sixth round; not the third frame.
Indianapolis Colts: Bobby Okereke, LB, Stanford B+ Grade
This is a solid pick for the Colts, who needed another linebacker to go along with Darius Leonard. Bobby Okereke is a better athlete than expected, and he’s also a smart, instinctive linebacker. He’s a nice, new piece to Indianapolis’ improving defense who fits the range in the middle of the third round.
Dallas Cowboys: Connor McGovern, G/C, Penn State A- Grade
This pick makes a ton of sense. The Cowboys need both an insurance policy for guard Connor Williams, who was predictably awful as a rookie last year, and also for center Travis Frederick, who may not be able to play again because of his unfortunate auto-immune disease. Connor McGovern can play any position in the interior, and he’s a prospect who could’ve been chosen a bit earlier than this.
Los Angeles Chargers: Trey Pipkins, OT, Sioux Falls B+ Grade
The Chargers absolutely had to improve their offensive line after seeing Philip Rivers get heavily pressured in the divisional-round playoff loss to the Patriots. Trey Pipkins isn’t ready to play right away, as he needs to get stronger, but he has a terrific frame and length for a tackle, and he could develop into a solid tackle. Pipkins makes sense here in the third round.
New York Jets: Chuma Edoga, OT, USC C Grade
I’m not sure about these prospects the Jets have obtained on Day 2. They started with Jachai Polite, who has motivational issues. Now, they add Chuma Edoga, who is even worse in that regard! Based on talent alone, Edoga would be a second-round prospect. The problem is that he’s highly unmotivated, and he even left the team at one point. The Jets will need to really motivate him, or they’ll have a complete bust with this pick. Still, the upside is there.

Baltimore Ravens: Miles Boykin, WR, Georgia A Grade
Miles Boykin is very big (6-4, 220) and extremely athletic. He was one of the top testers at the combine at his position. Boykin would’ve gone much higher than this had he been more productive at Notre Dame. He was just a 1-year starter, but he did very well in that one season. This is the time to take a player with immense upside like this, especially at a position of need. I like this pick a good deal.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jamel Dean, CB, Auburn A Grade
Another cornerback makes sense, given how much trouble the Buccaneers have endured at the position. Jamel Dean is someone I consistently mocked in the second round for a while, but ultimately moved him into the third frame because of his injury history. Jamel Dean was banged up often at Auburn, but played well when completely healthy. Dean tested very well at the combine, so he definitely has great upside.
New York Giants: Oshane Ximines, DE/OLB, Old Dominion A- Grade
Dave Gettleman said he wanted an edge rusher early, but I guess better late than never. Oshane Ximines could start as a rookie, as he’s very talented. He needs to improve his strength, but he has the ability to become a consistent edge rusher in the pros. At the very least, he’ll be a situational edge rusher on passing downs in his rookie campaign. This is a solid pick at the end of the third round.

Buffalo Bills: Dawson Knox, TE, Ole Miss B+ Grade
The Bills could’ve chosen a tight end earlier than this, but they’re potentially filling that need at the end of Day 2. It’s a solid pick, as Dawson Knox has good athleticism and upside. He wasn’t productive at Ole Miss, but that can be blamed on the program being a complete mess lately. It’s worth taking a risk on Knox at this juncture.
Los Angeles Rams: Bobby Evans, OT, Oklahoma C- Grade
This seems like a reach to me. I had Bobby Evans projected as a fifth-round pick, mocking him at No. 171 overall. Evans is strong, but happens to be a raw blocker without much upside. The Rams needed offensive line help, but they could have done better than this.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Quincy Williams, LB, Murray State MAYOCK MALFUNCTION, FARMER FAIL, GRIGSON GAFFE, CERRATO SUCKAGE, BAALKE BLOOPER, CHIP TRAGEDY, KING CALAMITY, SASHI SUFFERIN SUCCOTASH Grade
Umm… who!? Quincy Williams was not rated in my top-500 players. I don’t feel bad for not knowing him, as the NFL Network analysts were befuddled as well. This is such an awful pick that I’m beginning to think that the Jaguars wrote down the wrong name on their card.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Edwards, S, Kentucky B+ Grade
I mocked Mike Edwards five selections earlier than this, so I like the range for him. Edwards is a good athlete who was productive at Kentucky. He certainly could develop into a capable starter for the Buccaneers, who absolutely needed to find a safety after senselessly passing on Derwin James a year ago.
Carolina Panthers: Will Grier, QB, West Virginia C- Grade
I couldn’t believe that Will Grier was getting first-round consideration, according to the media. I had him slotted in the fourth round. Grier has bad mechanics, poor pocket awareness and putrid decision-making ability. He throws a nice ball, but he is far from a finished product. He might be able to develop into a capable backup behind Cam Newton and his worrisome shoulder, but the Panthers already had a solid backup in Kyle Allen. I’m not sure Grier is better than Allen.
New England Patriots: Yodny Cajuste, OT, West Virginia B Grade
Yodny Cajuste doesn’t have an extensive history with football because he grew up as a basketball player. He’s far from fully developed, but has the upside to eventually become a starter in the NFL. He has a low floor as well, however. That said, this is the right range for Cajuste, so this is a fine pick.
Minnesota Vikings: Alexander Mattison, RB, Boise State C Grade
Alexander Mattison was pegged as a fifth-round prospect, so this is a bit of a reach. It’s not an egregious one, so this isn’t a bad choice. Mattison is a solid runner who catches passes well. However, he’s not explosive and doesn’t possess much upside. The Vikings needed to find a capable backup behind Dalvin Cook, and Mattison could develop into a fine No. 2 back.

2019 NFL Draft Grades - Round:

Picks 1-16

Picks 17-32

NFL Draft Team Grades

Supplemental

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