All articles tagged with #day 3
The Patriots’ Day 3 training camp featured a slowed, walkthrough-style practice as part of the five-day ramp‑up. Reggie Gilliam returned from rest, five players remained on the injury list, and the session emphasized technique and mental reps at a slower pace. Drake Maye led a wide‑receiver group while the offensive line and versatile players were highlighted, with tempo expected to rise on Day 4.
Sports Illustrated highlights seven Day 3 rookies (Rounds 4–7) likely to make an early impact in 2026: Jermod McCoy (Raiders) at cornerback after ACL rehab; Kaden Wetjen (Steelers) as an elite returner; Kendal Daniels (Falcons) at linebacker under Jeff Ulbrich; Kyle Louis (Dolphins) at linebacker with playmaking ability; Zakee Wheatley (Panthers) at safety with range; Riley Nowakowski (Steelers) as a versatile fullback/TE-type option; and Kaytron Allen (Commanders) as a downhill, short-yardage back. The piece notes Day 3 talent is thinner, but these players’ schemes and roles could yield immediate contributions.
NFL.com’s analysis highlights 16 Day-3 selections from the 2026 NFL Draft who could crack starting roles as rookies, with top bets like Jermod McCoy (Raiders) and Joe Royer (Browns) factoring in injuries and depth; the ranking spans multiple positions and teams, illustrating how roster needs and health often determine early playing time for late-round selections.
The Patriots’ Day 3 class added six players to bolster the roster on both sides of the ball, with Kyle Williams positioned to grow into a bigger role and no punter added this draft. The haul creates competition at cornerback (Marcellas Dial Jr. and Kobee Minor) and along the offensive line (Marcus Bryant and James Hudson), while Dametrious Crownover looks like the favorite for the fourth tackle spot ahead of others. RBs Lan Larison and Terrell Jennings face uphill battles behind Jam Miller, and Drake Maye and Efton Chism III are noted as honorable mentions rather than immediate contributors.
The Bengals, after prioritizing defense in the 2025 offseason, used Day 3 of the NFL Draft to add depth on offense: Round 4 center Connor Lew (Auburn), Round 5 WR Colbie Young (Georgia), Round 6 OL Brian Parker II (Duke), and Round 7 TE Jack Endries (Texas) plus DT Landon Robinson (Navy). Cincy Jungle grades Lew B+, Young C, Parker II A+, Endries A, and Robinson A, reflecting a plan to backfill offensive depth behind a retooled defense.
The Steelers’ Day 3 picks—Kaden Wetjen, Riley Nowakowski, Gabriel Rubio, Robert Spears-Jennings and Eli Heidenreich—drew mixed grades from NFL analysts: Wetjen was praised as an immediate special-teams and slot upgrade, Nowakowski lauded for versatility, Spears-Jennings viewed as high-upside defensive depth, and Heidenreich generated buzz as a versatile back, while Rubio’s value prompted caution. Overall, it’s a credible Day 3 haul fitting Omar Khan’s pattern of finding contributors in late rounds.
Miami wrapped its 2026 draft with seven Day 3 picks, including three Texas Longhorns (Trey Moore at 131, Michael Taaffe at 158, DJ Campbell at 200) after a trade with Carolina; also drafted Pittsburgh LB Kyle Louis (138), Missouri WR Kevin Coleman Jr. (177), Mississippi State TE Seydou Traore (180) and Iowa edge Max Llewellyn (238). The class features six top-100 picks and marks the Dolphins’ first time drafting three wide receivers in a single draft since 1975.
New England used Day 3 to bolster depth on defense and add development at offense, drafting cornerback Karon Prunty, linebacker Namdi Obiazor, edge rusher Quintayvious Hutchins, offensive tackle Dametrious Crownover, running back Jam Miller, and quarterback Behren Morton, all aimed at creating competition and immediate special-teams impact; the team plans to pursue undrafted free agents (notably at WR) and could pursue trades, with lingering A.J. Brown talk.
On Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Rams traded the 207th, 251st and 252nd picks to the Eagles to move up to the 197th pick, leaving pick 232 as L.A.’s only remaining selection, with their current class featuring Ty Simpson, Max Klare and Keagen Trost.
Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft tracks the Chicago Bears’ seven-round picks, noting the addition of three defensive players, including a tackle from South Africa, as part of ongoing live coverage.
Philadelphia traded down with the Rams from pick 197 to 207 and acquired two extra seventh-round picks (251 and 252), netting a small value gain and signaling an emphasis on Day-3 dart throws. Their remaining picks include 20 (Makai Lemon), 54 (Eli Stowers), 68 (Markel Bell), 178 (Cole Payton), and 244, 251, 252 in the 7th round.
NBC Sports Philadelphia lists 20 potential Day-3 targets for the Eagles in the 2026 NFL Draft, as Philadelphia holds picks 178 (5th), 197 (6th) and 244 (7th). The piece surveys a mix of offensive linemen, defensive backs, linebackers, receivers and quarterbacks—highlighting players like Dani Dennis-Sutton, Jalon Kilgore, Garrett Nussmeier and Taylen Green as fits to consider for depth and development on Day 3.
Following a strong Day 2, the Browns look to Day 3 targets among the best available, but Jermod McCoy’s bone plug injury concerns could make teams wary of a late-round pick, potentially shaping Cleveland’s selection.
The Raiders enter Pick 102 in the 4th round of the 2026 NFL draft with 10 top targets for Day 3: Indiana WR Elijah Sarratt, Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy, Florida State DT Darrell Jackson Jr., Clemson DT DeMonte Capehart, North Dakota State WR Bryce Lance, UConn WR Skyler Bell, Texas CB Malik Muhammad, Miami DB Keionte Scott, South Carolina DB Jalon Kilgore, and Oklahoma WR Deion Burks. The piece highlights Las Vegas’ need to add a receiver for QB Fernando Mendoza and to bolster the defensive line and nickel/backfield depth, weighing value versus risk on Day 3 and noting potential fits that could require a reach given dwindling options.
With Day 2 behind them, the Bills hold 101st overall on Day 3 and are eyeing offensive upside, weighing WR prospects Elijah Sarratt, Brenen Thompson, Bryce Lance, Deion Burks, and Skyler Bell, interior OL options Jalen Farmer and Billy Schrauth, and even Garrett Nussmeier at QB, as they pursue depth and playmaking on the final day.