Analysis

4/30/22

7 min read

Best Available Players on Day 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft

Best Available Players on Day 3

Day 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft has the chance to be a franchise-changing moment for a number of NFL franchises. Although first and second round picks get all of the pre-draft buzz, those who follow the NFL Draft the closest know that the later rounds are where rosters fill out and front offices prove their worth.

We saw plenty of surprises on Day 2. The 2nd and 3rd rounds were thrilling, as players like Nakobe Dean, Malik Willis, and Travis Jones fell by at least 45 spots according to our overall rankings. Day 3 has a number of impact players who could rise and fall just as dramatically. Our board still has players with Day 1 starting potential and some who have franchise-changing upside. 

As we take a look at the final day of the draft, here is our breakdown of the best players still on the board, beginning with the top overall prospects:

Top 25 Best Players Available

  1. Perrion Winfrey (DT Oklahoma)
  2. Isaiah Spiller (RB Texas A&M)
  3. Sam Howell (QB North Carolina)
  4. Neil Farrell Jr. (DT LSU)
  5. Jalyn Armour-Davis (CB Alabama)
  6. Isaiah Likely (TE Coastal Carolina)
  7. Matthew Butler (DT Tennessee)
  8. Daniel Faalele (OT Minnesota)
  9. Coby Bryant (CB Cincinnati)
  10. Jamaree Salyer (OG Georgia)
  11. Derion Kendrick (CB Georgia)
  12. Kingsley Enagbare (EDGE S. Carolina)
  13. Darian Kinnard (OT Kentucky)
  14. Thomas Booker (DT Stanford)
  15. Dustin Crum (QB Kent State)
  16. Jerome Ford (RB Cincinnati)
  17. Carson Strong (QB Nevada)
  18. Romeo Doubs (WR Nevada)
  19. Darrian Beavers (LB Cincinnati)
  20. Dameon Pierce (RB Florida)
  21. Leon O'Neal Jr (S Texas A&M)
  22. Tariq Woolen (CB UTSA)
  23. Justyn Ross (WR Clemson)
  24. John Ridgeway (DT Arkansas)
  25. Otito Ogbonnia (DT UCLA)

Find our 2022 NFL Prospect Board Here

Now let’s take a look by position:

Quarterback

  1. Sam Howell (North Carolina)
  2. Dustin Crum(Kent St.)
  3. Carson Strong (Nevada)
  4. D'Eriq King (Miami)
  5. Jack Coan (Notre Dame)

Our top-rated quarterback left on the board is Sam Howell, someone who we have ranked in the top 50 overall prospects. Despite being undersized, his athleticism and ability to run with the football is an attractive trait for NFL teams. An interesting player on the board is D’Eriq King, standing at just under 5-foot-9 and less than 200 pounds. His athletic upside may also result in him being selected late on Saturday.

Running Back

  1. Isaiah Spiller (Texas A&M)
  2. Jerome Ford (Cincinnati)
  3. Dameon Pierce (Florida)
  4. Pierre Strong Jr. (S. Dakota State)
  5. Tyler Allgeier (BYU)

Isaiah Spiller is the second-best player remaining according to our board, and this is a bit surprising as six running backs were drafted on Friday. Another player likely to hear his phone ring on Saturday is Jerome Ford. Looking to be the sixth Bearcat drafted, he is best on inside runs and led the AAC in rushing yards last season.

Wide Receiver

  1. Romeo Doubs (Nevada)
  2. Justyn Ross (Clemson)
  3. Calvin Austin III (Memphis)
  4. Kyle Philips (UCLA)
  5. Khalil Shakir (Boise State)

As someone who posted 1,000 receiving yard seasons in back-to-back years at Nevada, Romeo Doubs has shown great production. He provides explosiveness at the position as well as alignment versatility, being able to line up on the outside and in the slot. Calvin Austin III is another interesting prospect as a receiver with lots of speed.

Tight End

  1. Isaiah Likely (Coastal Carolina)
  2. Jalen Wydermyer (Texas A&M)
  3. Charlie Kolar (Iowa State)
  4. Jake Ferguson (Wisconsin)
  5. Cade Otton (Washington)

Our second-ranked tight end, Isaiah Likely is a player who should be drafted at some point on Day 3. Posting 912 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in 2021, he offers upside as a pass-catcher to NFL franchises. Charlie Kolar may also have his phone ring on Saturday. The 2021 Mackey Award Finalist is an F tight end who can contribute in the red zone.

Offensive Tackle

  1. Daniel Faalele (Minnesota)
  2. Darian Kinnard (Kentucky)
  3. Thayer Munford (Ohio State)
  4. Max Mitchell (Louisiana)
  5. Zach Tom (Wake Forrest)

A top 10 prospect remaining for us, Daniel Faalele expects to generate interest from teams early on Day 3. Standing at 6-foot-8 and 384 pounds, Faalele has an imposing figure that will intrigue NFL GMs. Darian Kinnard is another player who is in the conversation for being the next tackle off the board. He has shown his run-blocking prowess, but will need to develop his pass protection once landing with a team.

Interior Offensive Line

  1. Jamaree Salyer (OG Georgia)
  2. Chasen Hines (OG LSU)
  3. Dohnovan West (OC Arizona State)
  4. Justin Shaffer (OG Georgia)
  5. Marquis Hayes Jr. (OG Oklahoma)

Jamaree Salyer has shown the ability to play multiple positions, a characteristic teams will appreciate. He primarily played left tackle, but he has experience at every offensive line position as well as snaps on special teams. Dohnovan West is another interior offensive lineman with position versatility, primarily playing center in 2021, left guard in 2020, and right guard in 2019.

Edge Rusher

  1. Kingsley Enagbare (S. Carolina)
  2. Tyreke Smith (Ohio State)
  3. Dominique Robinson (Miami-Ohio)
  4. Jesse Luketa (Penn State)
  5. Amaré Barno (Virginia Tech)

Kingsley Enagbare is our top edge rusher heading into Day 3, and he has shown traits that very well could result in him being drafted. With improved run defense, Enagbare should contribute to an NFL defensive line. Jesse Luketa is an intriguing prospect for teams to consider given how many positions he played at Penn State and the promise he showed off the edge this season. He played primarily on the defensive line in 2021, but he lined up at linebacker more than any other position in college. Barno is a late-round flier who will need development, but ran an absurd 4.36 40-yard dash.

Defensive Tackle

  1. Perrion Winfrey (Oklahoma)
  2. Neil Farrell Jr. (LSU)
  3. Matthew Butler (Tennessee)
  4. Thomas Booker (Stanford)
  5. John Ridgeway (Arkansas)

Perrion Winfrey is our best prospect available heading into Day 3, and he was ranked the top JUCO player before coming to Oklahoma. He could end up as a draft steal for a team on the last day of the draft. Neil Farrell Jr. should also hear his name called on Saturday given his high football IQ and ability to contribute as a run stuffer immediately.

Linebacker

  1. Darrian Beavers (Cincinnati)
  2. JoJo Domann(Nebraska)
  3. Sterling Weatherford (Miami-Ohio)
  4. Mike Rose (Iowa State)
  5. Damone Clark (LSU)

Yet another Cincinnati Bearcat on the board is Darrian Beavers. His ability to play off-ball or on-ball linebacker should earn him a call from an NFL GM. Damone Clark is someone who has fallen due to injury, specifically a herniated disk. Dr. Jessica Flynn believes his injury “shouldn't have an impact on his mobility.” Whether a team takes a chance on Clark in the draft or signs him as a UDFA, he will likely be rehabbing his injury in an NFL building throughout most of next season.

Cornerback

  1. Jalyn Armour-Davis (Alabama)
  2. Coby Bryant (Cincinnati)
  3. Derion Kendrick (Georgia)
  4. Tariq Woolen (UTSA)
  5. Josh Jobe (Alabama)

Coby Bryant was the Jim Thorpe Award winner last season, and was just the second Group of 5 player to claim it. Tariq Woolen is a prospect some may be surprised is still on the board given his 6-foot-4 frame. He is raw at cornerback, playing the position for just two seasons so far, but teams will be willing to take a swing on him on Day 3 due to his immense size and straight line speed. He has the tools to become an impact player in the NFL.

Safety

  1. Leon O'Neal Jr (Texas A&M)
  2. Verone McKinley III (Oregon)
  3. Tycen Anderson (Toledo)
  4. Markquese Bell (Florida A&M)
  5. Bubba Bolden (Miami)

As a taller safety, Tycen Anderson played in the slot a lot in college. He could become a starting free safety at the next level with the right development as well. Markquese Bell is an intriguing FCS prospect from Florida A&M, playing at a few different schools before becoming a standout for the Rattlers.

Special Teamers

  1. Matt Araiza (P San Diego State)
  2. Jonathan Garibay (K Texas Tech)
  3. Cal Adomitis (LS Pittsburgh)
  4. Jordan Stout(P Penn State)
  5. Jake Camarda (P Georgia)

San Diego State’s Matt Araiza is one of the most interesting prospects this year. After averaging 51.2 yards per punt in 2021, the most ever in the NCAA, Araiza has caught the eye of many, including Pat McAfee. He has experience kicking, too, posting a career percentage of 73% on field goals and 99% on extra points. The 2021 Ray Guy Award winner may be selected on Saturday, possibly as early as the 4th round.

 

Find our 2022 NFL Prospect Board Here

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