Live grades for notable picks in Rounds 4-7 of the 2023 NFL Draft

We are on to Day 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft! The first two days were fun, but we’ve got teams like the Jaguars who have 10 picks today and the Packers, Patriot, and Rams who have nine. There will be plenty of trades, but teams are building out their rosters today and there will be plenty of diamonds in the rough.

We’ll also possibly see Mel Kiper finally break down completely. You never know. There are some good players left, with CB Kalee Ringo, DT Adetomiwa Adebawore. OT Dawand Jones, CB Clark Phillips, LB Nick Herbig, RB Israel Abanikanda, RB Roschon Johnson and many more ready to help out your teams!

I won’t be grading every player picked here today, but will get to notable names and add in any useful or not so useful information that comes along. Have fun!

Rapid reaction pick grades for notable Day 3 picks and news

Roger Goodell still hearing some healthy boos here in Day 3 of the draft!

We have three trades before the first pick! The Saints have moved up to the first pick of Round 4 after trading with the Bears.

No. 105 Philadelphia Eagles: Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia

Grade A

The Eagles have done it again. They’ve drafted yet another Georgia Bulldog and another one that has fallen too far. Ringo has the speed to keep up with NFL receivers along with the size and tenacity. He is likely better off at safety in the NFL, but would project to be extremely good at the position.

No. 110 Indianapolis Colts: Adetomiwa Adebawore, DE, Northwestern

Grade A

Adebawore ran a 4.49 40 at 6’2”, 282 lbs! He is a physical specimen, but probably needs to bulk up a bit and move to DT. His upside is special if he can learn to work in the guts of the defense with some extra weight.

No. 111 Cleveland Browns: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State

Grade A

Jones fell in the draft due to some medical concerns, but if he can stay healthy, he could be a true steal. He has relied a bit on his huge size, 6’8”, 374 lbs., but he’ll need to refine his game to excel in the NFL.

No. 115 Chicago Bears: Roschon Johnson, RB, Texas

Grade B

The Bears let David Montgomery walk this offseason and added Donte Foreman. They also have Khalil Herbert, who projects as the lead back. Johnson is a power back who produces extra yards by running through tackles. He’s not very creative, but he does find ways to get those extra yards. There’s a real chance this backfield is up for grabs, so Johnson should at least get a chance to lead and his pass blocking skills will help.

The Patriots took a kicker, because of course they did. We’ll see if long snapper or punter is next.

The 49ers and Patriots have drafted kickers in the third and fourth round. Let’s take a look at the best kickers in the league, and where they were drafted:

No. 125 Los Angeles Chargers: Derius Davis, WR, TCU

Grade B

Davis, teammate of the Chargers first round pick Quentin Johnson at TCU, is more of a return man than every down receiver, but could help stretch the field when needed.His speed is special and if the Chargers can find ways to use it well, he could help add a wrinkle to the offense.

The Eagles trade a 7th rounder for D’Andre Swift. This team can’t not get value from every move they make. And he’s yet another Georgia Bulldog!

DOG!

No. 128 Los Angeles Rams: Stetson Bennett, QB, Georgia

Grade D

Grabbing a quarterback here for the Rams was the right move, but they took the wrong one! Bennett just isn’t a starting NFL quarterback. He’ll be 26 during his rookie season and his arm is too weak. He does fit in Sean McVay’s system, but his best prognostications will be as a journeyman backup.

No. 131 Cincinnati Bengals: Charlie Jones, WR, Purdue

Grade A

Jones is a zone-beater who Joe Burrow should be able to hit all day underneath. He’s too small to be an outside receiver, but the Bengals won’t need him to be.

It’s all in the family for the Pittsburgh Steelers as they draft Nick Herbig, Washington OLB, brother of Nate Herbig.

No. 140 Cleveland Browns: Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB, UCLA

Grade A

This is who I thought the Rams should have grabbed. It would have been a better spot for DTR, as Deshaun Watson is entrenched at QB in Cleveland, but he should be a perfect backup there. He has some of the same skills as Watson.

No. 143 New York Jets: Israel Abanikanda, RB, Pitt

Grade A

Abanikanda is a strong one cut and go runner who has good burst and footwork in traffic. He has good speed and defenders have trouble catching him from behind. He is still a bit raw and needs work as a blocker and following blocks, but has great upside.

No. 149 Green Bay Packers: Sean Clifford, QB, Penn St.

Grade F

I’ll let some of the Twitter responses speak for themselves:

No. 163 Cincinnati Bengals: Chase Brown, RB, Illinois

Grade A

The Bengals have a decision to make with Joe Mixon, so need some viable replacements. Brown coul be that guy, but if they do get rid of Mixon, they would probably bring in a veteran as well. But this is a great spot to get Brown.

No. 172 New York Giants: Eric Gray, RB, Oklahoma

Grade A

Gray has nice burst and acceleration and can make defenders miss in the open field. He can also be productive in the passing game. His inconsistencies could be helped with more decisiveness. He’s not going to be a Saquon Barkley replacement, but has the upside to be part of a committee that could allow Barkley to walk after this season.

No. 176 Indianapolis Colts: Evan Hull, RB, Northwestern

Grade A

Hull is going to be a useful pass-catching back and is a good value here. They of course have Jonathan Taylor, so his opportunities might not be many early on.

No. 187 New England Patriots: Kayshon Butte, WR, LSU

Grade A

At this point in the draft this is a good pick for the Patriots, who always need receivers. He started out hot in his college career but slowly faded with injuries and a poor 2022. The Patriots will look to bring back that early shine.

Colts owner Jim Irsay says it will be head coach Shane Steichen’s call on whether or not Anthony Richardson will start Week 1. But he does say he’ll need to play to get better. We’ll see him out there sooner than later.

The Patriots draft Michigan St. punter Bryce Baringer and become the first team to draft a punter and kicker in the same draft since the Raiders in 2000. For Pats fans, hopefully they turn out as good as the Raiders picks.

Sorry Greg Dulcich. Time to request a trade.

It appears the Patriots have added a regional sales rep from an insurance company.

When NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah gets peed on, you know it’s late in the draft.

No. 212 Dallas Cowboys: Deuce Vaughn, RB, Kansas State

Grade A

At 5’5, 179 lbs, Vaughn is probably smaller than you, but don’t let his size fool you. In his last two seasons he put up 3,723 total yards and 37 touchdowns. He’s never going to be a lead back, but his ability in space, if used wisely, is NFL caliber.

This was great to see. It’s getting a little dusty in here.

I don’t think the 28-3 jokes will ever cease. Sorry Falcons fans.