NFL Draft 2022: Day 3 Best Players Available

Days 1 and 2 have come and gone in the NFL Draft, and 105 players have come off the board. Still, there are some enticing talents available who should be coveted by players at the top of Day 3. This article will highlight my top-15 players still on the board on Day 3.

#1: QB Sam Howell, North Carolina

Big Board #54, QB3

Once considered the top quarterback in this class, it feels like we’ve entered an alternate reality where Sam Howell is still available on Day 3. However, this quarterback class has been undervalued in the draft more than anyone expected. Howell’s deep-ball accuracy and mobility are still enticing traits, and quarterback-needy teams should be more than willing to take a swing on his upside early on Day 3.

#2: CB Tariq Woolen, UTSA

Big Board #68, CB8

Tariq Woolen is my favorite developmental cornerback prospect in this draft with an elite frame of 6’4”, 205 lbs, and a massive 78” wingspan along with a 99th percentile 4.26-second 40-yard dash and a 97th percentile 42” vertical jump. He needs to refine his technique across the board and overall discipline, but I’m surprised no team took a chance on those high-upside trades in the third round.

#3: DT Perrion Winfrey, Oklahoma

Big Board #70, DT6

Perrion Winfrey was miscast as a nose tackle at Oklahoma, and that role hurt his overall production. At 6’4”, 290 lbs, he’s a better fit as a rotational three-technique. 41% of Winfrey’s tackles went for a loss at Oklahoma, and he uses his explosive first step to get into the backfield in a hurry. I’m assuming there’s an issue with Winfrey’s medicals or off-field concerns that we don’t know about, because I can’t fathom why other defensive linemen went in front of Winfrey.

#4: IOL Darian Kinnard, Kentucky

Big Board #71, IOL5

Darian Kinnard doesn’t have the polished pass set technique and footwork that some teams covet, but his strength profile should have been taken on Day 2. He’s a powerful mauler in the run game who always finishes blocks and will be a plus contributor to any team looking for physicality in the interior of the offensive line.

#5: OT Kellen Diesch, Arizona State

Big Board #72, OT8

Diesch is similar to Abraham Lucas as an elite athlete with high-level collegiate production, but a lack of a power element in the run game. Diesch differs from Lucas with weight, wingspan, arm length, and hand size that all ranked below the 20th percentile. He’s also 24 years old and didn’t start until his senior season. Still, with his tremendous production last year and elite athleticism, I expected him to be off the board by now.

#6: RB Dameon Pierce, Florida

Big Board #74, RB3

Florida had a running back by committee (RBBC) with Pierce just a piece of the puzzle, and he hasn’t proven to be durable over an extended workload. He has a three-down skillset with a strong, physical frame at 5’10”, 215 lbs, and he dominated at the Senior Bowl. Pierce has a nasty running style that I’d love to have on my team.

#7: LB Brandon Smith, Penn State

Big Board #76, LB9

Smith is a former five-star recruit who never quite lived up to that billing at Penn State. Still, he’s an elite athlete with a 9.98 RAS and he ran a 4.52-second 40-yard dash at 6’3”, 250 lbs. Smith’s high-end coverage abilities will hold up in the NFL as he even spent some time in the slot at Penn State. There’s a lot for him to work on, but his upside is highly enticing.

#8: TE Cade Otton, Washington

Big Board #77, TE3

Cade Otton was never used properly as a receiver at Washington, but he’s one of the most versatile run-blockers in this class with blocking in space his calling card. Otton has a mediocre physical profile, but hes’ capable of more as a receiver than he showed with a painfully low 6.8-yard aDOT per PFF.

#9: DE Kingsley Enagbare, South Carolina

Big Board #80, DE14

With two years of high-level production in the SEC, Enagbare showed heavy hands, above-average explosiveness, and solid discipline in run defense. However, he doesn’t possess the physical traits that would lead you to believe that productivity can continue into the NFL. Enagbare’s limited bend, inconsistent motor, and inconsistent technique likely kept him out of Day 2, but he’s proven to be a productive pass-rusher against top competition.

#10: RB Zamir White, Georgia

Big Board #81, RB4

Zamir White has torn his ACL twice, and that has to be the primary thing keeping him out of Day 2. However, he maintained his burst and explosiveness ater those injuries and averaged a whopping 3.6 yards after contact per attempt in 2021. A powerful downhill runner, White doesn’t excel with open-field creativity, and his three-down skill set is somewhat limited, but I would have taken him over Brian Robinson for Washington’s needs.

#11: TE Charlie Kolar, Iowa State

Big Board #90, TE6

Charlie Kolar’s profile reminds me of Mark Andrews as an underrated athlete with consistent hands – he has just a 3% drop rate since 2019. Kolar also led the country with 18 contested catches last year per PFF and has the box-out talent that should translate. With an excellent height/weight profile and soft hands, he profiles as a reliable pass-catcher in the NFL.

#12: IOL/OT Zach Tom, Wake Forest

Big Board #92, OT10, IOL7

I don’t quite understand this slide for Zach Tom, particularly with a handful of offensive line-needy teams picking at the end of Day 2. Tom spent two seasons at left tackle at Wake Forest and put together some of the best pass-protection film in the country with PFF’s best grade in pass-blocking in FBS last year. He also spent a full season as a starting center and has the versatility to play all over the offensive line. Tom has an elite athletic profile and excellent movement skills.

#13: IOL Jamaree Salyer, Georgia

Big Board #96, IOL8

Salyer started at left tackle for Georgia but is a candidate to kick inside, although he’s had significant reps at all five offensive line positions. He has NFL-caliber size and length, but there will be concerns over his limited athletic profile. However, he earned an elite pass-blocking grade from PFF in the SEC and only allowed one pressure against Alabama in the national championship.

#14: CB Jalyn Armour-Davis, Alabama

Big Board #100, CB10

Armour-Davis is still available because he only had one year of starting experience and has an extensive injury history. However, he surrendered just 27 receptions for 290 yards over 376 coverage snaps last year per PFF, and he’s a scheme-versatile defender who provides a physical presence as a boundary cornerback.

#15: WR Romeo Doubs, Nevada

Big Board #106, WR16

Carson Strong’s top downfield target over the last two seasons, Romeo Doubs has 1,000+ yards in each of those two years and displays solid ball skills and great balance. His limited YAC ability is concerning, but he gets off the line of scrimmage well and tracks the ball downfield. If he can eliminate his focus drops, he can be a dynamic downfield receiver in the NFL.