Every year, there are a handful of players taken on Day 3 of the NFL draft that exceed their pre-draft grades. Some go on to become perennial Pro-Bowlers, leaving teams wondering why they had passed on that player.
Arizona Cardinals vice president of player personnel Quentin Harris recently joined The Dave Pasch Podcast to talk about the recent draft haul for the team. Pasch brought up how, every year, some of those late-round picks turn into stars. He asked Harris who he thinks could become that Pro Bowl player for the Cardinals among their day three selections.
“I really like Lecitus Smith,” Harris said. “This guy is athletic, he’s an excellent puller. He’s tough, he’s physical.”
One of the traits that excites Harris the most is Smith’s quick-footed play style. He talked about how some NFL guards possess all the right traits but are held back from being slow-footed.
“This guy is everything,” he said. “He was a steal, in my opinion. He’s one guy that once he gets his opportunity, it’s going to be tough to remove him from the seat.”
The Cardinals could certainly use hitting on a seventh-round pick, particularly on the offensive line. They have almost their entire offensive line room set to hit the free agent market next season, so getting some young stability up front for Kyler Murray would do wonders.
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