Live 2020 NFL Draft Grades: Round 3

These Live 2020 NFL Draft Grades will be posted minutes after each pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Follow @walterfootball for updates.

2020 NFL Draft Grades - Round: Picks 1-16 | Picks 17-32 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | NFL Draft Team Grades

Cincinnati Bengals: Logan Wilson, LB, Wyoming – B Grade
The Bengals desperately needed linebacker help, given that they’ll need to defend Lamar Jackson for the next dozen years or so. Wilson is a solid pick here, though Cincinnati could have done better with Zack Baun, whom the team seemed to love a week ago. I’m not sure what changed, but Baun’s free fall is bizarre.
Washington Redskins: Antonio Gibson, RB/WR, Memphis – D Grade
Antonio Gibson is a dynamic weapon who can go the distance any time he touches the ball. However, he has no true position, so it’s difficult to constantly have him on the field. I don’t really like the fit here, as the Redskins already had Steven Sims and some promising running backs. Plus, this is a tad too early to take an athlete who isn’t a natural football player.
Detroit Lions: Julian Okwara, DE/OLB, Notre Dame – B Grade
The Lions play in a division with some pretty pedestrian quarterbacks – Nick Foles, Kirk Cousins, Jordan Love – but they still needed an edge rusher across from Trey Flowers. Julian Okwara makes sense here as a third-round prospect. This is a decent fit.
New York Jets: Ashtyn Davis, S, California – B- Grade
I guess Jamaal Adams is getting traded soon. It’s a shame that Adam Gase hates talent; otherwise, the Jets could’ve pursued a different position. Still, considering the mess Gase has caused, this is a fine selection. Ashtyn Davis could’ve gone in the second round, so he’ll be a viable replacement for Adams.

Seattle Seahawks: Damien Lewis, G, LSU – A Grade
I almost didn’t grade this as an “A,” but I’d be a hypocrite if I didn’t do so. I’ve pleaded for the Seahawks to get offensive line help for Russell Wilson for ages. They finally spent a pick that wasn’t a reach on a blocker, so I have to be in favor of this choice. Wilson must be thrilled.
Miami Dolphins: Brandon Jones, S, Texas – O’BRIEN Grade
Yuck! I had Brandon Jones in the sixth round of my 2020 NFL Mock Draft, so this is a major reach. I imagine the Dolphins are doing this after being salty after missing out on all the second-day safeties. I get it, but they’re undergoing a two-year rebuilding process. There was no need to reach for an undersized safety like this, despite the major need.

Baltimore Ravens: Justin Madubuike, DT, Texas A&M – A Grade
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The Ravens keep doing great work with the draft. It’s truly baffling how they can do this so well, while other teams can’t. The Ravens missed out on signing Michael Brockers because of a failed physical, so they obtained a disruptive force in the interior. Madubuike should’ve been taken in the second round.
Arizona Cardinals: Josh Jones, OT, Houston – A+ Grade
Wow, what a steal. Josh Jones could have been chosen late in the first round, or early in the second frame at the latest. I didn’t think the Cardinals would go tackle at No. 8 because they re-signed both players at the position, but they needed an insurance policy for Marcus Gilbert. This is an excellent pick.

Jacksonville Jaguars: DaVon Hamilton, DT, Ohio State – B+ Grade
DaVon Hamilton was an underrated prospect, as I eventually ended up mocking him to the Seahawks at the end of the second round. Hamilton is stout against the run and has some ability to get to the quarterback. He’s obviously no Calais Campbell, but he’s good enough to potentially become a solid starter for the Jaguars.
New Orleans Saints: Zack Baun, LB, Wisconsin – A+ Grade
The fall has ended. Zack Baun was good enough to go in the first round, and the Bengals, at one point, was considering him at No. 33 overall. I don’t know why he fell, but I’m looking forward to Charlie Campbell’s Why the Slide segment in May. The Saints won’t be complaining, as they’re getting the linebacker upgrade they could have easily obtained at No. 24 overall.

Detroit Lions: Jonah Jackson, G, Ohio State – O’BRIEN Grade
I get the need, and I’m glad the Lions have decided to protect Matthew Stafford, but I don’t understand why the Lions jumped up 10 spots for Jonah Jackson. That didn’t seem necessary at all. I’ve had Jackson in the sixth and seventh round, depending on the update, so I have to grade this poorly. This would be a C/C- if the Lions didn’t trade up, but relinquishing resources unnecesarily is a killer.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ke’Shawn Vaughn, RB, Vanderbilt – B Grade
The Buccaneers finally get their running back. Ke’Shawn Vaughn runs with some nice power, and he makes sense as a third-round pick, but I’m not sure about the fit. Tom Brady wants running backs who catch passes out of the backfield very well. Vaughn can do that, but it’s definitely not his forte.

Denver Broncos: Michael Ojemudia, CB, Iowa – D Grade
The Broncos were desperate for a cornerback, but that doesn’t excuse this reach. Michael Ojemudia is someone I’ve constantly mocked in the fifth round area, so I don’t understand why Denver would select him at this juncture. But hey, at least they didn’t trade up for a reach like some of the other teams!
Atlanta Falcons: Matt Hennessy, C/G, Temple – A+ Grade
You love to see the Falcons protecting Matt Ryan. Matt Hennessy can play both guard and center, and he will be able to start at one of the former spots until Alex Mack retires or moves on elsewhere. Hennessy is someone who should’ve been chosen early in the second round, so this is a terrific steal. This is a perfect pick for the Falcons.

New York Jets: Jabari Zuniga, DE, Florida – B+ Grade
I can’t remember the last time I didn’t list “pass rusher” as a need for the Jets in my team needs pages. It may have been close to a decade. Perhaps Jabari Zuniga will change that. Zuniga is an explosive athlete with high upside. He’s raw at the moment, but he could develop into a double-digit sack threat. I like the upside here for the Jets.
Las Vegas Raiders: Lynn Bowden Jr., WR, Kentucky – B+ Grade
It can’t be a surprise that the Raiders addressed receiver once again. This was such a weak area for them last year that they had to double up on the position. Lynn Bowden is an explosive player who can play multiple positions, so he can only improve the Raiders’ offense.

Las Vegas Raiders: Bryan Edwards, WR, South Carolina – D Grade
OK, this is just overkill. Two receivers made sense, but three, with Tyrell Williams and Hunter Renfrow already on the roster? I get that the Raiders must have really liked Bryan Edwards to do this – and I have no qualms with the player – but the Raiders have other needs they had to address.
Dallas Cowboys: Neville Gallimore, DT, Oklahoma – C Grade
The Cowboys signed Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe this offseason to go along with last year’s second-round pick, Trysten Hill, so I didn’t think defensive tackle was much of a need. I get picking a defensive tackle here if one is a steal, but Neville Gallimore was pretty much a third-round prospect to begin with. Thus, I don’t really like this pick, but I don’t hate it either.
Denver Broncos: Lloyd Cushenberry, C, LSU – A- Grade
It doesn’t matter how many talented receivers the Broncos have. If they can’t block for Drew Lock, they won’t win football games. Lloyd Cushenberry fills a big need in this regard, as the Broncos wanted to get better at center. Cushenberry could’ve gone a bit earlier than this without any complaints, so I think this is a very solid choice.
Los Angeles Rams: Terrell Lewis, DE/OLB, Alabama – A Grade
Terrell Lewis would’ve been a first-round pick if it weren’t for his countless injuries. In fact, we had Lewis in the first round of our mock draft once upon a time, as high as No. 18 to Baltimore at one point. This is a gamble for sure, but isn’t every pick pretty much the same thing? I love this swing for the fences by the Rams, who really needed to improve their pass rush with Dante Fowler gone.

Indianapolis Colts: Julian Blackmon, CB/S, Utah – D Grade
It’ll be interesting to see where the Colts play Julian Blackmon, assuming he can play at all. Blackmon is coming off a torn ACL and may not be 100 percent in 2020. That’s bad news, given that Indianapolis is all in to win this year with Philip Rivers. This pick doesn’t make much sense, and it happens to be a reach. The good news is that the Colts traded down 10 spots.
Buffalo Bills: Zack Moss, RB, Utah – A- Grade
I had Zack Moss slotted to the Bills at this very spot in many updates of my 2020 NFL Mock Draft because it makes so much sense. Moss projects as a great complement for Devin Singletary. Buffalo needed one with Frank Gore set to move on. Moss could’ve gone a bit earlier than this, so I like this pick quite a bit.

New England Patriots: Anfernee Jennings, LB, Alabama – A- Grade
It can’t be a surprise that Bill Belichick selected a Nick Saban linebacker. The Patriots needed to address the linebacker situation with so many players at the position leaving in free agency. Jennings was someone I mocked at the beginning of the third round, so I like the value.
Cleveland Browns: Jordan Elliott, DT, Missouri – A Grade
I’m shocked Jordan Elliott dropped to the middle of Round 3. I’m sure the Browns were shocked as well, but they’ll take it. Cleveland needed to find some help in the interior of the trenches, and it’s getting a legitimate second-round prospect to provide aid in that spot. I had Elliott slotted at No. 62 overall in my final mock draft.
Minnesota Vikings: Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State – A- Grade
Cameron Dantzler has great size to him (6-2, 195) who played very well at times against elite competition. He was inconsistent as well, but I imagine Mike Zimmer saw the tools and was intrigued by how he could develop Dantzler. It could be argued that Dantzler could’ve been chosen 20 or so picks earlier, so this is good value.
Houston Texans: Jonathan Greenard, DE/OLB, Florida – B+ Grade
It’s disappointing that the Texans aren’t providing any sort of blocking for Deshaun Watson, but it makes sense that they would bolster their front seven. They needed to add another edge rusher to help replace Jadeveon Clowney. Greenard is a very quick edge rusher with upside, and he fits the range in the middle of the third round.
New England Patriots: Devin Asiasi, TE, UCLA – BELICHICK’S DOG Grade
Did Bill Belichick’s dog make this pick? I don’t get it. There were better tight ends available, and there were also many tight ends available, so why did Belichick’s dog feel the need to move up for Devin Asiasi? This is just a terrible move. Belichick, please make sure your dog doesn’t use your computer again.

Baltimore Ravens: Devin Duvernay, WR, Texas – B Grade
It can’t be a surprise that the Ravens picked a receiver, though I expected them to do so earlier. That said, with all the values they landed, I can’t blame them for waiting this long. Duvernay is a talented athlete and a potential slot receiver in Baltimore’s offense. He’ll likely be an upgrade over what the team had last year. I don’t love this pick, but it makes sense.
Tennessee Titans: Darrynton Evans, RB, Appalachian State – B+ Grade
Dion Lewis is gone, so the Titans needed to find some help at running back, especially given how much of a workload Derrick Henry handled last year. History says Henry will probably break down soon, so the Titans needed a good insurance policy to take over when that happens. Evans is a solid choice at this juncture.
Green Bay Packers: Josiah Deguara, TE, Cincinnati – BELICHICK’S DOG Grade
Is Bill Belichick’s dog doing the entire Green Bay draft? I don’t understand anything the Packers have done thus far. This pick is just awful. There were better tight ends available. I get that the Packers are filling a need, but they’re doing so with a prospect some teams thought would be available in the seventh round.

Denver Broncos: McTelvin Agim, DE/DT, Arkansas – C- Grade
I think this is about two rounds early for McTelvin Agim. He could potentially fill a need as a long-term replacement for Derek Wolfe, but he’s a raw player who should’ve been chosen around the fifth round. I like what the Broncos have done for the most part in this draft, but that doesn’t include this pick.
Kansas City Chiefs: Lucas Niang, OT, TCU – A Grade
Eric Fisher was demolished in the Super Bowl. Granted, he was going up against Nick Bosa, so he had quite the challenge, but Patrick Mahomes was getting no time in the pocket for most of the evening. It’s unclear how much longer Fisher can remain on the blind side, so I like the decision to bring in someone to challenge him to be the starter by 2021. I had Niang in the second round of many updates, so I love the value.
Cleveland Browns: Jacob Phillips, LB, LSU – B Grade
The Browns had a weak linebacking corps that had to be upgraded in the wake of Joe Schobert’s departure. Jacob Phillips will be able to play two downs for the Browns and help stop the run, but I’m not confident in his ability in coverage. Still, this is a fine pick toward the end of Round 3.
Baltimore Ravens: Malik Harrison, LB, Ohio State – B Grade
Another linebacker makes sense for the Ravens. The range does as well, which is shocking because the Ravens aren’t getting a steal for once. Still, this is a solid pick. Harrison was a late bloomer at Ohio State, so there’s a good chance he’ll continue to blossom into a quality player.
New York Giants: Matt Peart, OT, Connecticut – B+ Grade
A tackle at No. 4 was obvious because the Giants had a huge hole at right tackle. A second tackle on Day 2 is also logical. Nate Solder can be a quality blind-side protector when healthy, but that almost never happens. The Giants needed an insurance policy for Solder, and they’re getting a solid prospect here with Peart, whom I frequently mocked in the third round.
Las Vegas Raiders: Tanner Muse, S, Clemson – D Grade
Tanner Muse blew up the combine, so he would’ve been someone Al Davis would have considered in the second round. The Raiders showed more restraint, though this still seems like a reach. I had Muse in the sixth round of my 2020 NFL Mock Draft, so the Raiders could’ve waited for him.
New England Patriots: Dalton Keene, TE, Virginia Tech – BELICHICK’S DOG Grade
Someone, please, take out Bill Belichick’s dog! It can’t be allowed to make many more picks. This is just terrible. Once again, the Patriots traded up for a fifth- or sixth-round tight end. There are better players at the position available, so this selection would be bad enough if New England didn’t surrender resources to get it.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Alex Highsmith, DE, Charlotte – B Grade
Alex Highsmith’s stock was rising prior to the draft, so it’s not a surprise to see him chosen at this juncture. This makes sense for the Steelers, who could lose Bud Dupree to free agency next year. Highsmith needs one more year to develop, so the timing is perfect because he can take over for Dupree in 2021.
Philadelphia Eagles: Davion Tayor, LB, Colorado – D Grade
Did the Eagles not think Jacob Eason was available? Davion Taylor is a tremendous athlete, but he’s extremely raw as a player. He may have to be relegated to special teams until his second or third season – not exactly what you want from a third-round prospect. I had Taylor in the sixth or seventh frame in most of my mock draft updates, so this is another poor pick.
Los Angeles Rams: Terrell Burgess, CB/S, Utah – B- Grade
This pick doesn’t really fill a need, but the range makes sense at least. Terrell Burgess is a solid third-round prospect who can play multiple spots in the secondary. It’ll be interesting to see where the Rams use him.
New Orleans Saints: Adam Trautman, TE, Dayton – A+ Grade
It’s baffling that so many scrub tight ends were chosen prior to Adam Trautman, especially when considering that some teams had Trautman graded as the top tight end in the class, even above Cole Kmet. Trautman should’ve been chosen in the second round, so the Saints are getting a tremendous steal at this spot. This is an A+ grade despite the trade up.
Baltimore Ravens: Tyre Phillips, OT/G, Mississippi State – C Grade
Tyre Phillips played tackle at Mississippi State, but he may have to move inside to guard in the NFL. In fact, Roger Goodell announced him as a guard. The position had to be addressed, given Marshal Yanda’s retirement. I think this is a bit too high for Phillips, but the pick makes sense.

2020 NFL Draft Grades - Round:

Picks 1-16

Picks 17-32

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