With NFL Draft Day 3 on the horizon, franchises have pored over their Day 2 snap grades to chart the course for Rounds 4 through 7. Immediate evaluations help teams gauge the value of each pick relative to slot, prospect traits, and any trade capital expended. Here’s a comprehensive look at how the first 96 selections fared—and what it means as the draft shifts into its final days.
Day 2 Snap Grades Set the Tone for Day 3 Draft Strategy
Day 2 closed with clear winners and some missteps. Four teams—the Cardinals, Ravens, Cowboys, and Texans—earned marks of A- or better, thanks to shrewd value and need hits. Others, like the Broncos and Lions, fell short of expectations.
- Arizona Cardinals (A-): Secured cornerback Will Johnson (No. 47) and edge rusher Jordan Burch (No. 78), both of whom fit their defensive scheme perfectly—even factoring in Johnson’s knee concerns.
- Baltimore Ravens (A): Picked Edge Mike Green (No. 59) and OT Emery Jones Jr. (No. 91) to bolster both pass rush and line depth, trading minimal capital for high upside.
- Dallas Cowboys (A-): Landed pure pass rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku (No. 44) and corner Shavon Revel Jr. (No. 76), capitalizing on a third-round ACL faller.
- Houston Texans (A+): Aggressively added wideouts Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, then filled left tackle and secondary needs with Aireontae Ersery and Jaylin Smith, all on Day 2 capital.
At the other end of the spectrum, teams like Denver (C+) and Detroit (C) must reassess before nfl draft round 4 begins. Will RJ Harvey, Pat Bryant and the rest provide enough upside to justify their spots, or will these franchises reach again on Day 3?
How Many Rounds and Picks Remain on Day 3?
The NFL Draft spans 7 rounds and 259 picks. Teams have already used their top 96. As Round 4 opens—typically in the late afternoon—clubs will need to balance roster needs, depth-chart spots, and remaining draft capital.
Key considerations for Day 3 include:
- 4th Round Start Time: The draft floor resumes early evening local time, with ESPN’s draft tracker providing live updates on each pick.
- Remaining Picks: Each team holds between two and six picks, depending on Day 2 trades.
- Positional Priorities: Many teams will target interior offensive linemen, special-teams standouts, or developmental prospects not yet off the board.
Teams that graded well on Day 2 can afford to be patient; those with lower grades must pounce on value in nfl draft round 4 and beyond.
Draft Grades So Far: What They Reveal
- Chicago Bears (B+): Stockpiled capital and landed versatile pieces like WR Luther Burden III and OT Ozzy Trapilo.
- Atlanta Falcons (B-): Filled safety need with Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts (No. 96) but sacrificed future picks for Matthew Judon.
- Carolina Panthers (A-): Aggressively addressed pass rush with Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen—both Day 2 trades.
- Buffalo Bills (B): Interior pass-rusher T.J. Sanders (No. 41) and edge Landon Jackson (No. 72) shore up their front but lost capital in the Amari Cooper deal.
- Cleveland Browns (B+): Bolstered defense and backfield with Carson Schwesinger and Quinshon Judkins, adding QB Dillon Gabriel at No. 94.
- Green Bay Packers (B): Prioritized tackle Anthony Belton (No. 54) and receiver Savion Williams (No. 87), passing on secondary help.
- Cincinnati Bengals (B): Chose LB Demetrius Knight Jr. and OG Dylan Fairchild to round out picks but may wish they’d landed a Day 2 starter.
- Denver Broncos (C+): Mixed results with RB R.J. Harvey, WR Pat Bryant, and Edge Sai’vion Jones; now must rebound on Day 3.
- Detroit Lions (C): Wasted capital on OG Tate Ratledge and a late-round receiver, trading future picks for speed; their Day 3 board will be crucial to salvage the class.
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Day 2 Grades Light the Path to NFL Draft Day 3
Across 24 picks on Day 2, some clubs nailed value and need. While others will lean on Day 3 picks to make up ground. The Houston Texans earned an A+ after stockpiling four premium prospects, whereas teams like the Denver Broncos (C+) and Detroit Lions (C) face tougher questions moving forward.
A glance at the grades illustrates which front offices should feel confident:
- A+ Classes: Houston doubled up on receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, secured left tackle Aireontae Ersery, and bolstered their secondary with Jaylin Smith. Las Vegas mirrored that success, trading down twice to grab WR Jack Bech and address corner and line needs with Day 2 capital.
- A- Performances: Indianapolis added edge rusher J.T. Tuimoloau and corner Justin Walley, while Jacksonville used back-to-back picks on versatile defender Caleb Ransaw and guard Wyatt Milum. Miami, despite losing a third-rounder, jumped up for guard Jonah Savaiinaea.
- B to B+: Buffalo’s trade for T.J. Sanders and Landon Jackson earned a B; Chicago’s haul of three Day 2 picks scored a B+; Green Bay’s OL and WR selections also picked up a B.
- C- and Below: Denver (C+), Detroit (C), and New Orleans (C+) will need Day 3 hits to salvage strong first-day showings.
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Standout Day 2 Picks and Their Impact
While overall grades matter, individual selections can redefine a franchise’s trajectory:
- J.T. Tuimoloau (Colts, No. 45, A-): A do-it-all edge who excels rushing, covering, and making plays in all phases.
- Jayden Higgins & Jaylin Noel (Texans, Nos. 34 & 79, A+): Twin threats from Iowa State, poised to stretch defenses and excel on third downs.
- Donovan Ezeiruaku (Cowboys, No. 44, A-): A pure pass rusher with a spin move reminiscent of Demarcus Lawrence.
- Terrance Ferguson (Rams, No. 46, B+): Athletic tight end expected to contribute immediately, albeit at the expense of other pressing needs.
- TreVeyon Henderson (Patriots, No. 38, A): Explosive Ohio State back who adds vision, speed, and versatility.
Teams graded lower will look to Day 3 for compensatory picks or late-round steals. Whether on special teams, interior O-line, or developmental defensive backs.
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Teams to Watch on Day 3 of the NFL Draft
As Round 4 opens, clubs must balance remaining needs with long-term upside. Watch for:
- Contenders Stacking Depth: Baltimore and Kansas City, buoyed by A grades, might add a versatile tight end or special-teams ace.
- Rebuilders Hunting Value: Detroit, Denver, and New Orleans possess multiple Day 3 picks and may swing for upside at skill positions.
- Trade-Minded GMs: Las Vegas and Houston, flush with capital, could package picks to move up—and secure a coveted prospect before the board falls.
Key questions remain: How many rounds are in the NFL draft? (Seven.) How many picks are in the NFL draft? (259.) And as teams ask when does Round 4 of the NFL Draft start? They’ll be monitoring ESPN’s draft tracker and league insiders for each selection.
Looking Ahead to Rounds 4–7
As the clock ticks toward draft day 3, franchises will lean on draft grades and remaining team needs to guide selections. For contenders, Day 3 is about depth and special teams. Rebuilders view it as another chance to unearth a starter or cornerstone on a bargain.
Whether it’s plugging gaps along the offensive line, finding developmental slot receivers, or stealing a late-round pass-rusher. Every pick can swing a roster’s future. And as teams ask how many rounds are in the NFL draft and how many picks are in the NFL draft, they’ll know that the work. And the drama is far from over.
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