Round 3 NFL Draft Recap: The 2023 NFL Draft has seen a flurry of exciting selections as teams continue to bolster their rosters with promising young talent. In this round, various teams have made significant picks aimed at enhancing their offensive and defensive lines, as well as strengthening their secondary. Below is a detailed recap of the notable selections made in Round 3.
The Las Vegas Raiders kickstarted Round 3 by selecting OT Charles Grant from William & Mary with the 99th pick. Grant is recognized as an athletic offensive tackle who excels when playing in space, although he requires further refinement in his technique.
Following this, the Raiders selected OL Caleb Rogers from Texas Tech at pick 98. Rogers is known for his versatility, capable of playing multiple positions along the line. He brings a physical presence, which will be crucial for creating run lanes for running back Ashton Jeanty.
The Houston Texans used their 97th pick to draft CB Jaylin Smith from USC. While not the most physically imposing cornerback, Smith adds valuable positional versatility to the Texans' already improving secondary.
With the 96th pick, the Atlanta Falcons opted for S Xavier Watts from Notre Dame. Watts is recognized for his ability to make plays around the football, although his athleticism may be limited. Atlanta is hoping he can become an early impact performer, especially after trading up for edge rusher James Pearce.
The New England Patriots selected C Jared Wilson from Georgia with the 95th overall pick. Wilson is known for his ability to overpower defenders, providing a significant boost to the offensive line and protecting quarterback Drake Maye.
At pick 94, the Cleveland Browns brought in QB Dillon Gabriel from Oregon. Gabriel is considered one of the best pure passers in this draft class, despite concerns about his size and durability in the physical AFC North.
With the 93rd pick, the New Orleans Saints chose S Jonas Sanker from Virginia, enhancing their safety room alongside established players like Tyrann Mathieu and Justin Reid.
The Seattle Seahawks selected QB Jalen Milroe from Alabama at pick 92. Milroe is a dynamic runner who may see early action in offensive packages, although he still has room to develop as a passer.
The Baltimore Ravens made a move at pick 91 by selecting OL Emery Jones Jr. from LSU. Jones brings positional flexibility and adds competition to the interior offensive line.
The Los Angeles Rams selected EDGE Josaiah Stewart from Michigan at pick 90. Stewart is known for his gritty playing style, which will help him set the edge and disrupt opposing offenses.
With the 89th pick, the Jacksonville Jaguars chose OL Wyatt Milum from West Virginia. Milum, who played left tackle in college, projects to play a role along the interior of the offensive line, adding depth and competition.
The Green Bay Packers selected WR Savion Williams from TCU with the 87th pick. Williams is noted for his ability to make plays in space, reminiscent of players like Lavish Shenault and Cordarrelle Patterson.
The Los Angeles Chargers picked DT Jamaree Caldwell from Oregon at pick 86. Caldwell is expected to contribute significantly to stopping the run, joining two other Oregon defensive linemen in this draft.
With the 85th selection, the Kansas City Chiefs drafted CB Nohl Williams from California. Williams is a large cornerback with strong instincts in zone coverage, reinforcing Kansas City's secondary after the offseason trade of L'Jarius Sneed.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers chose CB Jacob Parrish from Kansas State at pick 84. Parrish, primarily seen as a slot corner, could potentially shift to free safety, adding depth to the secondary.
With the 83rd pick, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected RB Kaleb Johnson from Iowa. Known for his ability to burst through defensive lines, Johnson will contribute following the departure of former first-round pick Najee Harris.
The Tennessee Titans selected S Kevin Winston Jr. from Penn State at pick 82. Despite missing a portion of the previous season due to injury, Winston's athleticism and potential make him a valuable addition.
The Cincinnati Bengals chose OG Dylan Fairchild from Georgia with the 81st pick. Fairchild’s powerful blocking style will support the Bengals' run game, allowing them to adopt a downhill approach.
The Indianapolis Colts selected CB Justin Walley from Minnesota at pick 80. Walley is the latest addition to a Colts defensive backfield that has produced notable talent in recent years.
With the 79th pick, the Arizona Cardinals drafted WR Jaylin Noel from Iowa State. Noel, an explosive athlete, will join forces with quarterback C.J. Stroud, enhancing the offensive capability despite ongoing line development.
At pick 78, the Cardinals also selected EDGE Jordan Burch from Oregon. Burch, a former 5-star recruit, is a key addition aimed at fortifying the team’s edge rushing capabilities.
The Carolina Panthers continued to reinforce their edge rushing unit by selecting EDGE Princely Umanmielen from Ole Miss at pick 77. Umanmielen brings a twitchy rush style but needs to enhance his consistency.
With the 76th pick, the Dallas Cowboys selected CB Shavon Revel Jr. from East Carolina. If he can overcome his injury history, Revel could prove to be a steal, especially with Trevon Diggs’ uncertain status for the season.
The San Francisco 49ers drafted LB Nick Martin from Oklahoma State at pick 75. Martin is part of the team's strategy to fill roles left by free agency departures, ensuring they maintain a solid linebacker corps.
The Denver Broncos selected WR Pat Bryant from Illinois at pick 74. While some may view this pick as a stretch, Bryant’s tall frame is expected to create matchup challenges in the passing game.
With the 73rd pick, the New York Jets chose CB Azareye'h Thomas from Florida State. Thomas, previously projected as a first-rounder, adds valuable depth to the Jets' secondary opposite Sauce Gardner.
The Buffalo Bills continued to enhance their defense by selecting EDGE Landon Jackson from Arkansas at pick 72. Standing tall, Jackson’s pass-rushing ability adds another dimension to the Bills' defensive strategy.
Finally, the New Orleans Saints rounded out their third-round selections by picking DT Vernon Broughton from Texas at pick 71. Broughton is expected to contribute to both run defense and interior pressure, adding depth to the defensive line.
This round of the NFL Draft has brought a mix of intriguing talent and strategic moves, as teams look to build competitive rosters for the upcoming season.
