Live 2022 NFL Draft Grades: Round 3

These Live 2022 NFL Draft Grades will be posted minutes after each pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Follow @walterfootball for updates.

2022 NFL Draft Grades - Round: Picks 1-16 | Picks 17-32 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | NFL Draft Team Grades

Jacksonville Jaguars: Luke Fortner, G/C, Kentucky – A- Grade
The Jaguars finally found some help for Trevor Lawrence. It took a while, but better late than never. Jacksonville wanted Tyler Linderbaum at No. 33, but they’ll definitely settle for the versatile Luke Fortner, who should be able to replace the retired Brandon Linder at center.

Follow @walterfootball for updates. Also, you can Support Us on Patreon here!

Also, if you’d like to support the site, check out my book! It’s available on Amazon, and it’s called A Safety and a Field Goal.

Take a look:

You can buy it here. It has some NFL Draft-related topics, so like I said, if you want to support the site, this is a great way to do it!
Minnesota Vikings: Brian Asamoah, LB, Oklahoma – C- Grade
The Vikings aren’t having the best draft. Brian Asamoah is a bit of a reach here, as he was projected to go late third at the very earliest. He’s an athletic player, and he fills a need, but the Vikings could have moved down and gotten him or taken someone better.
New York Giants: Josh Ezeudu, G, North Carolina – D Grade
Another offensive lineman makes sense for the Giants, but this is a reach, as Ezeudu was an early third-day prospect. Furthermore, the Giants had a golden opportunity to select a quarterback, but they passed on all options.
Cleveland Browns: Martin Emerson, CB, Mississippi State – C- Grade
The Browns are deep at cornerback, so I don’t understand this selection. I like that the Browns moved down, but they had huge holes at receiver and defensive line. Surely, they could’ve found someone who made more sense than Martin Emerson. I like Emerson a bit as a tall corner with good length, but this fit isn’t great.
Tennessee Titans: Nick Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State – B+ Grade
This is a solid pick. I had Nick Petit-Frere in the second or third round, depending on the update, and the Titans really needed to focus on their offensive line. They missed out on the top two guards, but Petit-Frere should help protect Ryan Tannehill, as the mediocre quarterback chokes away another playoff game.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Chad Muma, LB, Wyoming – C Grade
I like the player, but hate the fit. The Jaguars spent tons of money on linebacker in free agency and then traded up for Devin Lloyd. Why would they draft another linebacker? This seems so redundant. Again, I like Muma, but there were many greater needs.
Chicago Bears: Velus Jones, WR, Tennessee – B Grade
The Bears finally found some help for Justin Fields! I liked Velus Jones as a third-day sleeper, but not as much in the third round. Still, Jones could end up being a decent No. 2 receiver in the NFL with his great deep speed. Fields should enjoy throwing deep passes to him on the rare occasions in which he has protection in the pocket.
Seattle Seahawks: Abraham Lucas, OT, Washington State – B Grade
Wow, still no quarterback? This Drew Lock versus Geno Smith camp battle is going to be lit. The Seahawks will at least be able to protect for Lock or Smith with Charles Cross and now Abraham Lucas. The Washington State product is very athletic and fits what the Seahawks look for in blocking prospects. I like the fit, but come on, this had to be Malik Willis.
Indianapolis Colts: Jelani Woods, TE, Virginia – B+ Grade
Another weapon for Matt Ryan certainly makes sense, especially after the Colts lost Jack Doyle to retirement this offseason. Jelani Woods is a raw, one-year wonder, but he’s unbelievably athletic and has the potential to turn into a star. He also has a low floor, but teams need to take risks to win Super Bowls. I like this pick.
Atlanta Falcons: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati – B- Grade
I had Desmond Ridder to the Falcons in the second round, but I didn’t like that pick. I just thought it would happen. I appreciate the Falcons waiting and getting good value, or what seems like good value with Ridder. I’m not a fan of Ridder, as he just seems like a fancy backup quarterback in the NFL. Still, Atlanta obtained a young quarterback, which is something it needed to do.
Houston Texans: Christian Harris, LB, Alabama – A- Grade
I could tell you that the Texans needed linebacker help, but the Texans need help everywhere. Their roster is barren, so just adding the best player available at every spot made sense. Christian Harris could qualify if Nakobe Dean is ignored. Harris is someone I’ve mocked in the second round, so I like this value.
Baltimore Ravens: Travis Jones, NT, Connecticut – A+ Grade
The Ravens are great at drafting because they let teams in front of them draft crappy players, allowing them to take the best prospects available. This happened yet again, as the Ravens just landed someone who could’ve landed at the end of the first round without many complaints. Jones is a massive, but athletic nose tackle who will fit in very well in the middle of Baltimore’s front.
Indianapolis Colts: Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan – A Grade
Bernhard Raimann has upside, but his arm length could be a problem. It’s why he fell to the third round, but the Colts were correct in obtaining him at this juncture. Eric Fisher is gone, so the Colts needed to do something to address this area. I had the Colts picking Raimann at No. 42, so I love this value!
Cleveland Browns: Alex Wright, DE/OLB, UAB – C- Grade
This is the opposite of the Browns’ first pick. With Martin Emerson, they didn’t fill a need, but got decent value. Now with Alex Wright, they’re filling a need on the edge, but are getting poor value, as Alex Wright was a fifth-round prospect. Cleveland’s draft feels like Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
Los Angeles Chargers: J.T. Woods, S, Baylor – D Grade
I expected better from Tom Telesco in the third round. I had J.T. Woods as a fifth-round prospect. He doesn’t fill much of a need either. I get adding secondary help because of all the great quarterbacks in the division, but edge rush or cornerback would’ve made much more sense, especially if that prospect happened to belong in the third-round range!
Denver Broncos: Greg Dulcich, TE, UCLA – A- Grade
I mocked Greg Dulcich to the Broncos at No. 75, so I’m glad they were able to trade down five spots and pick up some value! Tight end makes sense here after Denver traded Noah Fant to Seattle. I like Albert Okwuegbunam, but the Broncos want to give Russell Wilson two capable tight ends to throw to, and Dulcich has good upside.
New York Giants: Cordale Flott, CB, LSU – D Grade
The Giants needed a cornerback to replace the soon-to-be-traded James Bradberry, but they could have done much better than this. Cordale Flott is a fifth-round prospect at the very best, so this is definitely a reach. There were many better players available.
Atlanta Falcons: DeAngelo Malone, DE/OLB, Western Kentucky – B+ Grade
It’s no surprise that the Falcons are drafting another edge rusher, given that two NFL players had more sacks than their entire team in 2021! DeAngelo Malone is a dynamic, explosive edge rusher whom I had pegged in this area, so I like this pick.
Philadelphia Eagles: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia – A+ Grade
The Eagles are having an amazing draft weekend. Their latest pick has just made things even better. Nakobe Dean is a first-round prospect who has fallen because of some injury concerns. Those apparently included a pec strain, but seriously, who cares about that? This is a mega steal. Unless Dean has Ebola or something, this pick must be graded as an A+, as Dean easily slots in and upgrades a horrible linebacking corps.
Pittsburgh Steelers: DeMarvin Leal, DE/DT, Texas A&M – A Grade
Everyone knows the Steelers needed to bolster their offensive line, but they also had to add to their defensive front as well. The Steelers have an old defensive line, so they really needed to get younger there, especially after they were steamrolled each week. I had Leal going to the Steelers in the second round, so I love this value.
New England Patriots: Marcus Jones, CB, Houston – B Grade
I expected Bill Belichick to draft a 2024 UDFA at this rate, but he finally didn’t reach. Marcus Jones is someone I always tried to move up in my mock draft. He makes sense in the third round, and he obviously fills a need after New England lost J.C. Jackson.
Tennessee Titans: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty – A+ Grade
LOL! I thought the Titans should have abandoned Ryan Tannehill and drafted Malik Willis at No. 35, yet they were able to do this at No. 86. Willis will obviously sit for a year or so, but he’s going to take over for Tannehill at some point. Willis has huge upside with his athleticism and mobility, and he’s also a smart quarterback. He’s just raw, but the Titans should be able to develop him rather quickly for 2023 and beyond. This is an obvious A+.
Arizona Cardinals: Cameron Thomas, DE, San Diego State – B+ Grade
Cameron Thomas was a love/hate prospect, or maybe a kinda like/hate prospect because some teams didn’t think he was twitchy enough. However, he’s a solid value pick in this range, and he’ll potentially fill a big need with Chandler Jones gone.
Dallas Cowboys: Jalen Tolbert, WR, South Alabama – B+ Grade
The Cowboys needed a receiver after losing Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson this offseason. Jalen Tolbert is a solid pick in this range. He has a wide range of outcomes in his career, as he has big-play ability, but didn’t face much competition at South Alabama.
Buffalo Bills: Terrel Bernard, LB, Baylor – B+ Grade
The Bills have needed help around Matt Milano at linebacker for quite some time now, as Tremaine Edmunds has been a disappointment. Buffalo’s linebacking corps looks lost whenever Milano is hurt, so perhaps that won’t be the case now that Terrel Bernard is on the roster. I like Bernard as a third-round prospect. He has three-down potential.
Las Vegas Raiders: Dylan Parham, C/G, Memphis – A Grade
I love what the Raiders just did. They didn’t pick until No. 86, but they moved down four spots and picked a player who easily could’ve gone in the second round. Not only that, but Dylan Parham fills a huge need. Parham can play guard and center, and the Raiders will need his versatility on their horrid blocking unit.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rachaad White, RB, Arizona State – B Grade
I’m sure Tom Brady loves this pick. I think it was made a bit early – I had White in the late fourth round – but I like the fit. Rachaad White is an impressive receiver out of the backfield, so Brady will make good use of him if he can get on the field.
Green Bay Packers: Sean Rhyan, G, UCLA – B+ Grade
Aaron Rodgers may have been frustrated heading into Friday night, but he must be much happier now. After the Packers finally obtained a receiver, they managed to acquire a much-needed upgrade on the offensive line in Sean Rhyan. I had Rhyan slotted at No. 89 in my mock, so I like the range.
San Francisco 49ers: Tyrion Davis-Price, RB, LSU – D Grade
The 49ers have done some sketchy things with running backs during the John Lynch-Kyle Shanahan era, and this is another instance of that. The 49ers may think that Tyrion Davis-Price will provide a hand in the backfield, but he’ll just be dwarfed by the competition. He’s a tough runner, but I thought he belonged in the sixth or seventh season, I mean round.
Carolina Panthers: Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss – A+ Grade
I thought the Panthers would trade future picks for Matt Corral, but would do so in the second round! Getting Corral toward the end of the third frame is amazing value. I don’t know why Corral slipped outside of possible injury or character concerns, but this was too far of a drop. He’s a legitimate second-round quarterback who might be able to beat out Sam Darnold sooner rather than later.
Cincinnati Bengals: Zachary Carter, DT, Florida – A- Grade
The Bengals were hoping for Devonte Wyatt in the first round, but they’ll take another interior pass rusher at this selection. Zachary Carter can get pushed around in the running game, but he has an explosive ability to get to the quarterback, which Cincinnati will need when they combat all the talented quarterbacks in the AFC. I like this value.
Indianapolis Colts: Nick Cross, S, Maryland – C Grade
I like Nick Cross just fine as a third-round prospect, but I don’t know why the Colts had to give up a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Cross is very athletic and possesses huge upside, but the Colts should have been more patient.
Detroit Lions: Kerby Joseph, S, Illinois – C+ Grade
I wonder if the Nick Cross pick influenced this because I think Kerby Joseph was a slight reach, though not really an egregious one. Joseph is talented, but is a one-year wonder, so there’s some concern in that regard. Still, the Lions needed help in the secondary, and Joseph could help.
Washington Redskins: Brian Robinson, RB, Alabama – C+ Grade
Yet another Alabama player to the Redskins, albeit on the offensive side of the ball this time. I like Brian Robinson in this range, but I’m not sure why the Redskins picked another running back because they happen to be very deep at the position.
Cleveland Browns: David Bell, WR, Purdue – B Grade
Once upon a time, people were telling me that David Bell belonged in the first round. I stopped getting those e-mails eventually, as N’Keal Harry comparisons surfaced. I’m not convinced David Bell can separate, but I like the gamble here in the third round rather than the initial frame. Bell could fill a need if people are wrong about his separation issues.
Arizona Cardinals: Myjai Sanders, DE, Cincinnati – B+ Grade
Myjai Sanders makes sense in this range as a late third-round pick. He also can help fill a need along with Cameron Thomas on the edge in the wake of Chandler Jones’ departure. Sanders was better than his numbers indicated at Cincinnati.
New York Jets: Jeremy Ruckert, TE, Ohio State – C Grade
The Jets added C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin this offseason, so I’m not sure why they needed to spend a significant draft choice on Jeremy Ruckert. The Ohio State product belongs in this range or a bit later, so I don’t hate this pick, but I would’ve liked to have seen Joe Douglas address one of his many other needs.
Miami Dolphins: Channing Tindall, LB, Georgia – B Grade
Channing Tindall isn’t much of a surprise with this pick. The Dolphins brought in so many linebackers for top-30 visits because they really needed help at the position. Tindall makes sense in this range as an athletic defender with nice upside.
Kansas City Chiefs: Leo Chenal, LB, Wisconsin – B Grade
Leo Chenal makes sense at the end of the third round. He’s a two-down run defender who will struggle in coverage, but the Chiefs won’t have to put him in that situation. Kansas City’s run defense should improve with Chenal No. 3 on the field.
Los Angeles Rams: Logan Bruss, G/OT, Wisconsin – B+ Grade
The Rams need to keep Matthew Stafford upright, especially now that he’s entering his mid-30s. Logan Bruss can help make that happen. He played tackle at Wisconsin, but will likely have to move to guard in the NFL. That’s fine, as Bruss should be able to find his way into the starting lineup at some point.
San Francisco 49ers: Danny Gray, WR, SMU – B- Grade
Danny Gray is a threat after the catch, so… Deebo Samuel insurance? It sure seems that way. I think this is a tad early for Gray, but it’s not an egregious reach by any means. This is a fine selection to close out Day 2.