With the NFL Draft set to begin next Thursday, there are a ton of mock drafts being currently run right now by fans and also front offices. The draftnetwork.com has a ton of NFL mock drafts and I have been currently running through them into the third round. There are always some valuable players in the third round of the NFL Draft.
It is harder to find day one starters in these roles, but it is important to find depth pieces and develop the talent when reaching this point. Who are some of the players that can be steals in the third round?
Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State
There is no tight end that stands out in the upcoming 2022 NFL Draft. He will most likely be the first tight end off the board in the third round. McBride is 6’3″ and weighs 246 lbs. His best fit would be a spread offense. In 12 games last season with Colorado State, he caught 90 passes for 1,121 yards receiving and one touchdown last season with Colorado State.
John Metchie III, WR, Alabama
He is 5’11” and weighs 187 lbs. The Alabama Crimson Tide has had a factory of wide receivers going in the NFL Draft as of late. Mitchie III was Alabama’s number two wide receiver last season but is going to slip in this draft due to injury. John Metchie III is a speedster, but the question will be his route running. He needs to go to a team that will use him in screens and verticals down the field.
Metchie III caught 96 passes for 1,142 yards receiving and eight touchdowns. He will be a very good day two selection in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Drake Jackson, LB, USC
Drake Jackson is 6’2″ and weighs 254 lbs. The USC Trojans had him as an edge rusher last season and would be a perfect fit in a 3-4 defensive scheme like the Denver Broncos. In 10 games last season with USC, he recorded 37 total tackles and eight of them were for a loss. Jackson also recorded five sacks, one interception, one pass deflection, one fumble recovery, and one forced fumble.