Day 3 Prospects To Keep An Eye On

Everyone knows the top prospects in this year's draft but a lot of great NFL Players are found on Day 3 of the Draft. A couple of players break out for their teams and outperform their draft slot every year. Just last year we saw Dameon Pierce, Isaiah Pacheco and Brock Purdy (to name a few) burst onto the scene and show the whole league that they were wrong in their pre-draft assessments.

Jake Haener QB, Fresno State

Jake Haener was a productive starter for the Bulldogs the past two seasons throwing for 6,992 yards with 53 touchdowns and 12 picks. The biggest knock on Haener is his size as he stands just under 6’1 and weighs 207 pounds. He’s a tough player who can process progressions and pressure well and shows his leadership and passion on the field. Haener doesn’t have the athletic profile of Anthony Richardson or even Bryce Young, but he knows when to escape the pocket, always keeps his eyes down-field, and can make an accurate throw while on the run. Haener isn't afraid to push the ball downfield and he gives his receivers a real chance in 1 on1 situation with a good ball outside the numbers. Haener can quickly become a quality backup and can handle some starts if a starter goes down. My NFL Comp for the former Bulldog is Gardner Minshew (but less fun). I think we’re a couple of years (and a rebuilding team) away from seeing Haener get a real starting chance but as a late-round flier in Rookie Drafts, I think there could be some solid value here.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson QB, UCLA

DTR has been one of my favorite players to watch on film this draft process because you can see his upside jump off the tape. Thompson-Robinson hasn’t been brought up as much as other QBs in this class but he should. He's put up big numbers over his last 2 seasons with the Bruins, DTR had 69 total TDs (48 passing, 21 on the ground), 16 picks, 5,563 yards passing, and 1,255 yards rushing in his last 2 seasons and has shown that he’s just getting better. Thompson-Robinson will benefit from sitting and learning for a year or two but he has the tools to become a nice player in the NFL. He’s an accurate thrower who can throw from different arm angles and can make plays outside the pocket and extend plays. As a very athletic QB, he still looks to pass first and will keep his eyes on his progressions before tucking it and taking off. I saw a lot of Utah State Jordan Love in his tape but there is more work to do with DTR as his footwork can get pretty shaky at times and can almost be too willing to hold the ball long before running. With all things considered, I believe DTR can become a starting-level QB if he lands in the right spot. He’s one I’m keeping a close eye on come Draft Weekend.

Israel Abanikanda RB, Pittsburgh

The running back position this season is very deep and there will be some very good players available after the 3rd round. Abanikanda broke out in 2022 as the Pittsburgh Panther back led the ACC in rushing with 1,431 and 20 touchdowns. Abanikanda rushed for 100 yards in 9 of 11 games with a 320-yard game against Virginia Tech. Izzy clocked in at 4.41 in the 40-yard dash at his pro day and processes a nice blend of size (217 lbs) and speed. He’s a very skilled runner who can process and hit holes quickly. I would like to see him get in there and block in pass pro a little more but he has the size and physicality to grow into a solid blocker. Abanikanda should slide into a solid early-down role at the next level and can have a very similar impact in year one as Isaih Pacheco. The Former Pitt Panther is a massive value in the NFL Draft and can easily see his Fantasy Stock skyrocket on Draft Day.

Eric Gray RB, Oklahoma

Eric Gray hasn’t been getting a lot of public praise this offseason but he had a great season last year with over 1300 yards and 11 TDs. The Tennessee transfer is an older prospect at 23 years old but he can give an NFL team a real early down option. Gray is agile and can make people miss with his quick feet and burst. I was pretty surprised at the 4.62 40 at his Pro Day since he plays much faster than that. He’s a tough player that is willing to run through a linebacker’s face. Gray fits in with a team who has an established pass-catching back in place like Dallas, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, or Philadelphia. Gray could be a Fantasy Darling this year with the right situation.

Xavier Hutchinson WR, Iowa State

Hutchinson is a 2023 “My Guy” for the NFL Draft. He’s a bigger wideout at 6’2 208 and is a nice weapon in the Red Zone blocking out DBs like a power forward. He had 107 catches for 1,171 yards but only 6 TDs in 2022 and has gotten better every year at Iowa State. The blend of size and speed is evident in his short to intermediate routes but needs more refinement on deeper routes. He is quicker than fast as he ran a 4.52 40 at the combine. Hutchinson has a big catch radius and great body control on contested balls making him an intriguing target early on Day 3. Hutchinson projects as a mid-level WR2 so the value in your rookie drafts will be there as he will most likely be a late 2nd to mid-3rd-round rookie draft pick.

Parker Washington WR, Penn State

Parker Washington is a YAC king. There aren’t a lot of players in this class who can make DBs miss as he can. Washington has a great vision in tight spaces and elite contact balance making him tough to bring down. He’s not the best separator with his routes but he had a 74% catch rate last year which is pretty darn good. Washington figures to be a WR3 Slot guy in the NFL but should be a high-volume option due to his YAC abilities. I hate using the Deebo comp, but how he can slip out of tackles and make defenders look silly shows shades of the 49er star receiver. Washington can fit in most offenses right away and could even slide to the end of the second round. My favorite part of his game is his late hands-on deep balls. Late hands make it harder for the DB to play the hands and make him have to turn his head which is a major advantage to the receiver.

Payne Durham TE, Purdue

Like running back, the Tight End position is very deep so quality players will slide down the board. Payne Durham is a big target standing at 6’5 and weighing 255 pounds. Durham is a raw blocker who still needs refinement in the run game but has shown glimpses of being able to be a serviceable blocker Durham will make his mark in the passing game. The Former Boilermaker has soft hands and is a solid route runner posting 56 catches for 560 yards and 8 TDs in 2022. Durham presents his new QB with a big safety net and is a trustworthy option in the end zone. A TE that shows shades of Hunter Henry on tape can be a nice option for teams looking for a high-upside TE in the middle rounds.

Tucker Kraft TE, South Dakota State

Tucker Kraft is a different type of player than Durham. Kraft needs more reps as a pass catcher but is great at anchoring blocks on the edge and engaging and holding his blocks. Now Kraft has shown to be a fluid pass catcher but he was used more in a running offense as an extra lineman at times so the tape can give an incomplete assessment of him. Kraft reminds me of a player like Austin Hooper or later career Kyle Rudolph but if he can work with NFL coaches he has the tools and talent to become a more reliable pass catcher like a Tyler Higbee type of player.