If you are the GM who are some of your day 3 targets?
TOP 4TH ROUND TARGETS
Kendrick Green, IOL, Illinois: Depending on what we do in 2nd and/or 3rd, could possibly challenge for starting RG spot. While also adding the ability to be backup C or Center of the future.
Illinois interior offensive lineman Kendrick Green projects favorably as a Day 3 target in the 2021 NFL Draft. Green, who came to the Illini program as a defensive tackle and transitioned to the offense ahead of the 2017 college season, finished his career with 33 consecutive starts at either guard or center for Illinois. Green has the lateral mobility and functional athleticism to develop and continue to work with at the pro level—his potential as a recent position swap should not be ignored. That said, Green is understandably rough around the edges with the finer points of strike placement, feel for scraping defenders, angles when climbing to the second level, and his footwork and base; there are too many reps in which Green finds himself on the ground. But viewing him through the scope of a player who is still new to the position, the flashes of leverage at the point of attack and mobility, particularly at center, make him a worthwhile flier later in the draft.
Ideal Role: Developmental center.
Scheme Fit: Wide/Outside-zone-heavy rushing offense
Jordan Smith, EDGE, UAB: Could be our designated pass rusher similar to what Ford was supposed to be.
Drake Jackson, C, Kentucky: would be our back up center and understudy to Mack
Drake Jackson projects as a scheme-specific starter at the NFL level. Jackson has the needed hand leverage, short-area mobility, and football savvy to excel in the heart of an NFL line—although his playing experiences will leave questions about how well suited he is to start immediately in a much more pass-happy environment. Jackson has served as the anchor of the Wildcats' offensive line for four seasons and the end result is a really well-rounded center prospect who can handle one-on-one reps against a nose or combo block and climb with efficiency against shaded interior defenders. Jackson has the needed nimble feet to win in space and the biggest question for him will be if he can be a scheme transcendent player. As is, I like him most in an offense that implements a lot of WCO and inside zone concepts. He's not a high-level traits player and he's not going to offer versatility to move around the line, but Jackson is proficient at what he does and is a perfect example of a competent iOL that can be found in the middle rounds of the NFL draft.
Ideal Role: Starting center.
Scheme Fit: Inside zone heavy rushing attack
Other notables
Josh Palmer, WR, Tennessee
Chris Rumph, EDGE, Duke
Ardarius Washington, S, TCU
Israel Mukuama, CB, South Carolina
TOP 5TH ROUND TARGETS
Tre McKitty, TE, Georgia: I have been wanting a legit 2nd TE for a while now. Jordan Reed was a nice addition for a hot minute. McKitty has a little YAC ability to go with the rest of the YAC brothers.
Keith Taylor, CB, Washington
James Wiggins, S, Cincinnati
Other notables
Malcolm Koonce, EDGE, Buffalo
Dazz Newsome, WR, UNC
Tamorrion Terry, WR, FSU
Joshua, Kaindoh, EDGE, FSU
Khalil Herbert, RB, Va, Tech
Richard Lecounte, S, Georgia
Divine Deablo, LB/S, Va tech
6TH & 7TH round lottery tickets
Reed Blankenship, S, MTSU
Ambry Thomas, CB, Michigan
Shaun Beyer, TE, IOWA
Warren Jackson, WR, Colorado st.
Austin Watkins, WR, UAB
Whop Philyor, WR, Oklahoma
Antwan Davis, WR, Ball St.
CJ Marable, RB, Coastal Carolina