NFL draft best players available: Ranking top options on board in Day 3

NFL draft best players available: Ranking top options on board in Day 3

April 27, 2024

play

The hunt for late-round talent is on as the 2024 NFL draft enters Day 3.

The final four rounds of the annual event, which this year is being held in Detroit, are crucial for roster-building, as teams fill out their squads with role players, backups and special teams contributors. And every now and then, a surprise standout emerges, providing huge value for a franchise on a low-cost contract.

USA TODAY Sports will be updating its rankings of the best players available to reflect the top options on the board until all of our pre-draft top 125 are accounted for. Stay here for the latest.

35. Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon

Any team looking to open up its offense might gravitate toward Franklin, who will make his living picking up yardage in chunks on deep shots. The 6-2, 176-pounder can mix in some quick hits for run-after-catch opportunities, but he likely will be more of a complementary piece in a passing attack rather than a focal point.

41. Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas

The 6-4, 245-pounder looks bound to follow many other college tight ends in essentially becoming a supersized receiver who is most often split wide and asked to do little as a blocker. That role should still leave him plenty of opportunities to make his mark, however, as Sanders can create mismatches all over the field in the passing game.

48. T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State

At 6-1 and 189 pounds, Tampa has the tools and mentality to drape himself around receivers at the line of scrimmage and catch point. His long speed could leave him vulnerable in some matchups, but he could thrive as a playmaker in zone coverage.

64. Brandon Dorlus, DT, Oregon

68. Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State

74. Christian Jones, OT, Texas

75. Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina

80. Javon Baker, WR, UCF

84. Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee

87. Austin Booker, DE, Kansas

88. Cedric Gray, LB, North Carolina

90. Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State

91. Mekhi Wingo, DT, LSU

92. Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, S, Texas Tech

94. Kris Abrams-Draine, CB, Missouri

95. Malik Wasington, WR, Virginia

98. Mohamed Kamara, DE/OLB, Colorado State

102. D.J. James, CB, Auburn

103. Khyree Jackson, CB, Oregon

104. Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson

105. Brenden Rice, WR, USC

106. Audric Estime, RB, Notre Dame

107. Christian Mahogany, G, Boston College

108. Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville

109. Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina

110. Tanner McLachlan, TE, Arizona

112. Caelen Carson, CB, Wake Forest

114. Jared Wiley, TE, TCU

116. Jarvis Brownlee Jr., CB, Louisville

117. Malik Mustapha, S, Wake Forest

118. Brennan Jackson, DE, Washington State

120. Jacob Cowing, WR, Arizona

122. Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame

123. Cade Stover, TE, Ohio State

124. Mason McCormick, G, South Dakota State

125. Decamerion Richardson, CB, Mississippi State