2017 NFL Draft: Instant grades

Third round

65. Cleveland Browns: Larry Ogunjobi, DT, North Carolina-Charlotte

Cleveland has addressed a bunch of different position groups thus far, and Ogunjobi hits another one with defensive line. He should begin his career learning the ropes in a suddenly talented front seven that includes Myles Garrett and Jamie Collins.

Grade: B+

66. San Francisco 49ers: Ahkello Witherspoon, CB, Colorado

After winning the first day with Solomon Thomas and Reuben Foster, general manager John Lynch stayed on the defensive side with Witherspoon. He was overshadowed at Colorado with Chidobe Awuzie, but he’s a potential starter for San Francisco.

Grade: B-

67. New Orleans Saints (via 49ers): Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee

Apparently, head coach Sean Payton is going to the Wing T offense. Kamara now joins Adrian Peterson and Mark Ingram. All jokes aside, this is very nice value for Kamara, who showed burst and agility at Tennessee. He should get carries in 2017.

Grade: B+

68. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dawuane Smoot, DE, Illinois

Smoot is going to come in and learn the ropes from Calais Campbell who signed a $60million deal back in March. Look for him to be a rotational player who can work his way into more snaps as the year goes on.

Grade: C+

69. Los Angeles Rams: Cooper Kupp, WR, Eastern Washington

The Rams have to give Jared Goff some weapons, and Kupp had a very productive career at Eastern Washington. Does he fit the bill on the outside? Maybe, but he should be able to work inside in the slot.

Grade: B+

70. Minnesota Vikings (via Jets): Pat Elflein, C, Ohio State

Elflein might be the best center in the draft, and he fills a major need for the Vikings. Minnesota missed the playoffs due in large part to its awful offensive line, and the front office is acknowledging that fact. Kudos to Rick Spielman for being aggressive.

Grade: A-

71. Los Angeles Chargers: Dan Feeney, OG, Indiana

Good for the Chargers. They were able to nab Forrest Lamp in the second round and then doubled down to land Feeney in the third. Feeney is a steal at this point, and should compete for a starting spot on the Los Angeles line.

Grade: A

72. Tennessee Titans (via Patriots): Taywan Taylor, WR, Western Kentucky

Tennessee needed to add some help on the outside, and this is the second receiver taken by general manager Jon Robinson. The Titans took Corey Davis in the first round and now land Taylor, who should start on special teams.

Grade: C+

73. Cincinnati Bengals: Jordan Willis, DE, Kansas State

This is great value for the Bengals. Cincinnati has had a perplexing draft to this point, but Willis should add to what is already a good rotation up front. Look for him to slot in with Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson on the edge.

Grade: A-

74: Baltimore Ravens: Chris Wormley, DT, Michigan

Ozzie Newsome has always valued big, athletic defensive lineman. He nabs another one here with Wormley, who was a first-team Big Ten selection. Wormley should get some snaps as a rookie, plying on the end alongside Brandon Williams.

Grade: B

75. Atlanta Falcons: Duke Riley, LB, LSU

After drafting Deion Jones last year the Falcons are hoping to hit gold at linebacker once more on the second day. Riley is fast and should be helping out on passing downs to start, dropping into coverage. He’s also a player who can help on special teams.

Grade: B+

76. New Orleans Saints: Alex Anzalone, LB, Florida

The Saints might have found a player who can’t stay on the field due to injury. NFL Network pointed out on their telecast that Anzzalone has missed 16 games over the past two years. On the field, he’s got solid strength and speed, but he could add size.

Grade: C-

77. Carolina Panthers (via Cardinals):Daeshon Hall, DE, Texas A&M

At 266 pounds, Hall has the right size to play 4-3 defensive end. Look for the Panthers to give him some snaps in subpackages and on special teams. Last year, general manager David Gettleman addressed the same position group with Vernon Butler, so he doubles down.

Grade: B-

78. Baltimore Ravens: Tim Williams, OLB, Alabama

Williams is going to be a one-trick pony in the NFL, but what a pick. Williams is a pure pass-rusher, bringing serious heat off the edge. Newsome went back to the well, taking a third player from the Crimson Tide. Oddly enough, Newsome also went to Alabama…

Grade: A-

79. New York Jets: ArDarius Stewart, WR, Alabama

Stewart is going to compete for a spot opposite Eric Decker in the Jets’ offense. After releasing Brandon Marshall, New York is looking at a depth chart that includes Jalin Marshall and Robby Anderson. Yikes.

Grade: B

80. Indianapolis Colts: Tarell Basham, EDGE, Ohio

Basham is a great pick for the Colts, who need to add pass-rush ability to the front seven. Indianapolis has completely neglected its defense for years under general manager Ryan Grigson. Chris Ballard is turning that tide in a big way.

Grade: B+

81. Washington Redskins: Fabian Moreau, DB, UCLA

Moreau is incredible value at this point in the draft. The Bruins star could have been in the first round, but fell all the way to the midway point of the third, largely because of a torn pectoral on his pro day. Nice job by the Redskins.

Grade: A-

82. Denver Broncos: Carlos Henderson, WR, Louisiana Tech

Henderson is going to come in and compete with Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas. In the end, he likely helps out on special teams and works from the slot. He gives Denver more help at special teams than anywhere else.

Grade: B-

83. New England Patriots: Derek Rivers, EDGE, Youngstown State

Only the Patriots would not have a pick until the 83rd selection, and land a player some believe has first-round talent. Rivers is going to come in and play alongside Kony Ealy, helping fill the void for Jabaal Sheard and Chris Long, both of whom departed in free agency.

Grade: A

84. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chris Godwin, WR, Penn State

The Buccaneers apparently can’t find enough weapons for Jameis Winston. Winston now has Mike Evans, O.J. Howard, Doug Martin and DeSean Jackson. This offense should be in the five of almost every category in 2017.

Grade: B

85. New England Patriots (via Giants): Antonio Garcia, OL, Troy

The Patriots add some depth to the offensive line with Garcia, who can sit behind the starters and get into the lineup, perhaps, in 2018. This is a nice move for a team that has the ultimate luxury of talent all over the field.

Grade: B-

86. Kansas City Chiefs (via Vikings): Kareem Hunt, RB, Toledo

The Chiefs are having a very impactful draft, both now and for the future. After taking Patrick Mahomes in the first, general manager John Dorsey lands Kareem Hunt. Hunt is a nice back to add into the rotation alongside Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West.

Grade: B

87. Davis Webb, QB, Califnornia

This might be the heir to Eli Manning’s throne. Should the Giants fans be happy with this move? Probably. Webb has some issues on tape including accuracy on tight throws, but he will have ample time to sit behind Manning and learn.

Grade: B

88. Oakland Raiders: Eddie Vanderdoes, DT, UCLA

Oakland needs help along the defensive line, especially after cutting Dan Williams. Vanderdoes is going to have to earn some playing time after amassing just 1.5 sacks for UCLA in 2016. The Raiders are betting on his future.

Grade: C

89. Houston Texans: D’Onta Foreman, RB, Texas

Foreman is going to be an upgrade over Alfred Blue, who was not much of a factor out of LSU in his career. Now, Foreman gets to come in and play a strong second fiddle to Lamar Miller, who was an 1,000-yard rusher with the Texans last year.

Grade:  B+

90. Seattle Seahawks: Shaquill Griffin, DB, Central Florida

Seattle is addressing a need before it becomes on in the secondary. Is Griffin the right guy to eventually fit the bill? He’s coming from a program not known for its defensive prowess, but he’ll get great coaching in Seattle.

Grade: C

91: Los Angeles Rams: John Johnson, S, Boston College

Johnson is likely going to get the bulk of his snaps at special teams as a rookie. The Rams have been adding offensive help, and rightfully so, but made sure they added more protection on the back end for a young defense.

Grade: B-

92. Dallas Cowboys: Jourdan Lewis, CB, Michigan

Lewis is another nice pick that provides both immediately help and a nice value for Dallas. The Cowboys already landed Chidobe Awuzie in the second round, and now give him another running mate in the secondary.

Grade: A

93. Green Bay Packers: Montravius Adams, DT, Auburn

Some believes Adams would go early in the second round, but he fell all the way to the back end of the third. Adams should help to fill out the Green Bay front seven, including perhaps being a long-term replacement for Letroy Guion.

Grade: B+

94. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cameron Sutton, S, Tennessee

Despite landing a pair of corners at the top of the draft last year in Sean Davis and Artie Burns, Pittsburgh did the right thing by adding to its secondary. Sutton should be able to work his way into the defense over a long period.

Grade: B

95. Seattle Seahawks: Delano Hill, DB, Michigan

The Seahawks have to think about their future with Richard Sherman turning 29 years old. Before you say that a third-rounder will never fill shoes like that, Sherman was a fifth-round selection.For now, he’ll play special teams and get some subpackage looks.

Grade: B

96. Detroit Lions: Kenny Golladay, WR, Northern Illinois

Golladay will come in and try to carve out a role. He’s going to be playing mostly on special teams and then eventually get into the offense. Can the youngster find snaps behind Golden Tate and Marvin Jones?

Grade: C+

97. Miami Doplhins: Cordrea Tankersley, CB, Clemson

Tankersley is great value here, and for a team that needs a corner in the worst way. Tankersley is raw as all get out, but he has talent and should be allowed to ease into a starting role. Think of Tankersley as a subpackage guy early.

Grade: A-

98. Arizona Cardinals: Chad Williams, WR, Grambling

Williams comes form a small school, but he was dominant during his days in school. The Cardinals are going to need a deep threat with Michael Floyd gone and Larry Fitzgerald about to retire. Williams might be the future here.

Grade: B+

99. Philadelphia Eagles: Rasul Douglas, DB, West Virginia

Douglas should have gone higher, and so the Eagles and their fanbase should be thrilled. Philadelphia and general manager Howie Roseman knew he had to address the defensive side and he’s done that. Well done.

Grade: A

100. Tennessee Titans: Jonnu Smith, TE, Florida Atlantic

The Titans are looking to add as many weapons as possible for Marcus Mariota. They get another one here with Smith, who should factor in alongside Delanie Walker. This is the third pass-catcher for Tennessee thus far.

Grade:  C+

101. Denver Broncos: Brendan Langley, CB, Lamar

Denver might be thinking about upgrading a special teams unit that was a major issues last year. One could argue that with improvement there, the Broncos are already a much better contender to return to the postseason. Looks like a replacement for Kayvon Webster.

Grade: B-

102. Seattle Seahawks: Nazair Jones, DT, North Carolina

Jones is going to come in and have to earn some snaps after showing well at North Carolina. Seattle has been trying to shore up the defense, something that might come as a bit of a surprise to many. General manager John Schneider has done a solid job.

Grade: C+

103. New Orleans Saints: Trey Hendrickson, DE, Florida Atlantic

General manager Mickey Loomis continues to upgrade the defense. Hendrickson might see some snaps when the Saints are going into subpackages, but that’s still valuable in today’s NFL. This is also nice value at the back end of the third round.

Grade: B+

104. San Francisco 49ers: C.J. Beathard, QB, Iowa

Beathard projects to be a backup quarterback. There is nothing about his game that screams starter, but he should be able to provide a decent understudy for San Francisco while Brian Hoyer runs the show in 2017.

Grade: C

105. Pittsburgh Steelers: James Conner, RB, Pittsburgh

This is my favorite pick of the third round, and not for sentimental reasons. Le’Veon Bell is incredible, but he’s also been suspended multiple times and has taken a beating. Conner was dominant in college and could be a very nice compliment … or more.

Grade: A+

106. Seattle Seahawks: Amara Darboh, WR, Michigan

Darboh is coming in to compete behind Tyler Lockett and Doug Baldwin. He’s very raw and had some issues against the better corners in the Big Ten, but there is some talent to work with. He’s ticketed for special teams early.

Grade: C+

107. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kendall Beckwith, LB, LSU

Nice value for the Buccaneers, who are compiling a very good team under general manager Jason Licht. This is a player who should be able to contribute on special teams and defense. Ultimately, he will be on the field against the run first and foremost.

Grade: B+