NFL Draft 2015: Best players available after round 3
By Will Osgood
Looking at the best players left headed into Day 3 of the NFL draft.
Day 2 of the 2015 NFL draft came and went. There were more trades than in the first-round. Some of the “character guys” went off the board in the second-round. Some of the injured guys fell.
And as we say every year, there are still good football players left. It’s true. The fact some of these “good football players” don’t work out, isn’t their skill level but the fact they just end up in the wrong situation.
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Still, grades are necessary. How else would teams draft if they didn’t have some form of a draft board? This is intended to represent some form of a draft board, which may or may not be anywhere near what the average team has in their war rooms.
As from before, numbers next to their name are where they stand among players still available in the draft. Only after Day 1 was it where they fit among the entire draft class.
And after the fourth-round, there will start to be some fresh names added to the list, assuming the players listed here, are mostly, as would be expected swallowed up in Saturday’s fourth round.
First Round Grades
- La’el Collins, OL, LSU
It seems fair to assume we don’t need to spend time on why Collins is yet to be selected.
Second Round Grades
2. T.J. Clemmings, OL, Pittsburgh
Clemmings is likely falling due to an injury in his foot, which is unfortunate. Without it, he would have likely been picked in the first-round.
Third Round Grades
3. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
The Oregon corner is another guy whose fall has resulted mainly from injury.
4. Josue Matias, OL, Florida State
Matias is just a thumper and guy who can flat out play. Not flashy, but shouldn’t be worried that he hasn’t been picked yet. Still may become starting NFL guard.
5. Grady Jarrett, DT, Clemson
Jarrett’s name not being called as of yet is probably the biggest surprise among this group.
6. Kevin White, CB, TCU
The small cornerback can really ball. He’ll be a nice surprise for whoever selects him, whenever that happens to be.
7. Jeremy Langford, RB, Michigan State
Langford is a three-down back who can really do it all, despite optimal burst or speed.
8. Zach Vigil, ILB, Utah State
With the run on inside linebackers on Day 2, Vigil is left as the pretty clear best one left.
9. Jay Ajayi, RB, Boise State
If a team happens to be looking for a bruising back, they’ll likely call Jay Ajayi.
10. Josh Shaw, CB, Southern California
Shaw has some character concerns, but he’s a really solid defensive back. Look for him to go early on Day 3.
Fourth Round Grades
11. Chris Bonner, QB, CSU-Pueblo
Saw two quarterbacks he’s better than drafted ahead of him Friday night. He should be the next one taken, though there’s a solid chance he will not be.
12. Derron Smith, S, Fresno State
Sometimes the best compliment to give a guy is this: He’s just a good football player.
13. Tre’ Jackson, OG, Florida State
Another Florida State player, and offensive lineman. Man, that line and team is going to be inexperienced.
14. Rannell Hall, WR, UCF
In my opinion, Hall is just as good as his UCF teammate Breshard Perriman who went 26 to Baltimore.
15. Blake Bell, TE, Oklahoma
Bell is Tim Tebow if Tebow hadn’t elected to try his hand in the NFL at a different position. Not sure that’s ultimately worth.
16. Arie Kouandijio, OG, Alabama
Kouandijio is quite the lineman, but it’s also in no way surprising he’s not off the board yet.
17. Blake Sims, QB, Alabama
I’m higher on Sims than probably anyone. It’s in no way surprising that Sims is yet to be drafted. He may not be until late into Saturday if at all.
18. Dezmin Lewis, WR, Central Arkansas
Lewis can really play, and he tested well at the Combine.
19. Tre McBride, WR, William & Mary
Copy and paste the above comment on Lewis. They are the two best small school receives inthis draft.
20. Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
As a UCLA fan, I’m aware of how bad Hundley is, but he’s good enough to be picked in the fourth-round.
21. Michael Bennett, DL, Ohio State
Bennett still being available is a bit puzzling. His 21st rank is more due to the fact that there were many players drafted on Day 2 who fit well below Bennett in these rankings.
22. Gabe Wright, DL, Auburn
When I first watched Wright film, thought he’d be a second-round pick. May have overvalued him initially, but fourth-round makes sense for him.
23. Bryce Petty, QB, Baylor
Petty has all the leadership traits you’d want for a quarterback, but physically he’s just another guy.
24. Kwon Alexander, LB, LSU
He played at LSU, which means he knows how to play some defensive football.
25. Kenny Bell, WR, Nebraska
Bell is just a good solid receiver who will make some team very happy when he wins a roster spot and becomes a solid receiver for them in year one.
26. Trey Flowers, DE, Arkansas
Flowers could easily be much higher on this list–and probably should be. I wouldn’t argue.