NFL Draft grades – Syndication Server

Browns NFL Draft grades: Zak Zinter, OG, Michigan 85th overall

Browns NFL Draft grades for selecting Michigan OL Zak Zinter in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft

The Cleveland Browns take yet another step in improving one of the best offensive lines in the entire league and shore up some more depth with the selection of Michigan offensive guard Zak Zinter in the middle of the third round.

Zinter does not project as an immediate starter in Cleveland but will get the luxury to develop behind some of the best the game has to offer in current starter Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller.

A super productive, refined, vicious brawler, Zinter fits the personality of a Cleveland Brown guard perfectly. Zinter helped anchor one of the best offenses in the nation last year and projects as an eventual starter in the league and an extremely valuable depth piece.

Grade: B+

Texans NFL Draft grades: Calen Bullock, S, USC 78th overall

Texans NFL Draft grade for selecting USC S Caden Bullock in the third round

The Houston Texans continue their additions of outstanding young talent to the secondary. After already taking Kamari Lassiter earlier in the draft, Houston decides to double dip and get USC safety Calen Bullock to help out their already stacked secondary room.

Bullock projects as an immediate difference maker on this Houston defense. With his ball hawk skillset and ability to roam the back half of the field, it’s likely Bullock will slide in at free safety for veteran Jimmie Ward on obvious passing downs, and could just take over all together should he impress early on.

It’s a bit shocking to see Bullock fall this far. With elite top level speed, fantastic instincts, and a raw playmaking ability, Bullock grades out as one of the better safeties of this class and is tremendous value at this point.

Grade: A

Bengals NFL Draft grades: McKinnley Jackson, IDL, Texas A&M

Bengals NFL Draft grade for selecting Texas A&M defensive lineman McKinnley Jackson in the third round

The Cincinatti Bengals choose to double dip to help out the interior of their defense. After selecting Kris Jenkins earlier in the draft Cincinnati swings right back in the third round and picks up Texas A&M defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson.

With veterans B.J. Hill and Sheldon Rankins locked in as the teams’ starters moving into the 2024 season, it’s difficult to project Jackson seeing a ton of playing time except as a rotational interior pass rusher. McKinnley and Jenkins will have ample opportunity to develop as potentially the starting duo for the following season should they impress in limited glimpses.

There is clearly plenty of talent that Jackson possesses but it has come and gone in streaks during his career at Texas A&M. If Jackson can pounce on his highs, he could be a steal this late into the third round as a potential primary interior rusher.

Grade: B-

Rams NFL Draft grades: Blake Corum, RB, Michigan 83rd overall

Rams NFL Draft grade for selecting Michigan RB Blake Corum in the third round

The Los Angeles Rams got a ton out of last years breakout star in running back Kyren Williams and they looked to have found a perfect compliment for him with the selection of Michigan running back Blake Corum in the middle of the third round.

Corum projects as the immediate backup to Williams and will serve as a complimentary back to rotate in and spell the young star from time to time. Given Williams missed time last season this also provides a safety net for a Rams team that lacked in the running game when their starter went down.

An intelligent, decisive, and agile back, Corum was an ultra productive player at Michigan whos skillset should transfer over to the next level. While his size and the tread on his tires were a bit of a concern, coming in as a complimentary back eases up on those questions and should allow Corum to be productive in a lesser role.

Grade: B

Steelers NFL Draft grades: Payton Wilson, LB, NC State

Steelers NFL Draft grade for selecting North Carolina State LB Payton Wilson in the third round

The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to steal talented players out from under noses and have yet again added a young defensive stud with the selection of NC State linebacker Payton Wilson at the bottom of the third round,.

Wilson could surprise and win the starting job opposite of the newly added star Patrick Queen. If Wilson can shrug off the poor medicals that dropped him this far in the draft, he has every bit of talent needed to steal the starting job away from Elandon Roberts as a rookie.

Rangey, intelligent, athletic, and possessing great football instincts, Wilson was every bit a top-end linebacker in this class. If not for poor medicals, Wilson likely would have gone inside the first 40 picks as a locked-in starter. If Wilson can overcome his injury issues, this could turn into one of the steals of the draft.

Grade: A-

Jaguars NFL Draft grades: Jarrian Jones, CB, Florida State

Jaguars NFL Draft grade for selecting Florida State CB Jarrian Jones in the third round

The Jacksonville Jaguars shuffled plenty of pieces around in their secondary heading into this offseason but continued to need to add more talent. With the selection of Florida State cornerback Jarrian Jones, Jacksonville snags some more young talent to add to their corner group.

Jones projects as a backup as the team’s second nickelback, with Tyson Campbell and Ronald Darby starting on the outsides. Jones will add valuable depth behind newly added veteran Darnell Savage and could see the field in more pass-heavy sets.

A speedster with plenty of burst and aggression, Jones is well-suited as a nickel corner at the next level. While he doesn’t quite have the skillset to play outside, he does have starter-level potential at the inside corner spot from day one despite his current status as a backup.

Grade: B

Bills NFL Draft grades: DeWayne Carter, IDL, Duke

Bills NFL Draft grade for selecting Duke DT DeWayne Carter in the third round

The Buffalo Bills saw plenty of defensive talent walk out in free agency leaving their defense somewhat short handed, with the selection of Duke defensive lineman DeWayne Carter they inject some youth combined with plenty of college experience to that side of the ball.

While Carter does not project as the starter right away it’s going to be tough to project him to not see the field in the early going as a rotational piece. With Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones locking down the starting role, the young lineman will get the chance to spell them as an energetic interior pass rusher throughout the season.

Experienced, fluid, relentless, and quick, Carter was a main stay in the Duke defense over the past three seasons. While Carter has been quite productive during his starting stint, his production dropped off a cliff this last season and certainly hurt his draft stock.

Grade: B

Eagles NFL Draft grades: Jaylx Hunt, EDGE, Houston Christian

The Philadelphia Eagles continue to stack talent onto one of the most impressively talented defensive groups in the entire league. With the selection of Chirstian Houston edge rusher Jalyx Hunt, Philadelphia stacks even more developmental players to get after the quarterback.

Hunt is not a projected starter and could have a hard time seeing the field a ton early on given the depth that is in the Eagles’ pass rushing bullpen. With four veterans firmly ahead of the rookie it will allow him plenty of time to develop his natural raw talent and potentially see the field next season.

A physical specimen with plenty of athleticism to show off, Hunt found himself the perfect team to land with as he will have little pressure to produce right away. Houston did not quite have the sack production you’d like to see given his talent, and will need to mold himself into a more effective player at the next level.

Grade: C

Ravens NFL Draft grades: Adisa Isaac, EDGE, Penn State

Ravens NFL Draft grade for selecting Penn State EDGE Adisa Isaac in the third round

The Baltimore Ravens continue to stack young talent along what is already one of the best defenses in the league. One of the areas that could be improved upon however is their pass rush, and with the selection of Penn State edge rusher Adisa Isaac, Baltimore finds themselves another talented player for their rotation.

While Isaac does not project as a starter it’s hard to imagine he won’t see plenty of playing time among a group of question marks among this particular edge rusher group. Isaac should find snaps when spelling starters Odafe Owah and Kyle Van Noy, and could be in line for a starting job as the season progresses.

Explosion is the name of the game for Isaac. Once off the line tackles must get a hand on him or Isaac will quickly greet the quarterback. Isaac is a bit of a one trick pony as a pass rusher and could be exposed at the next level if he doesn’t add more pass rushing tools into his toolbox soon. This is still great value for a edge rusher that probably should have gone earlier given his upside.

Grade: B+

Bears NFL Draft grades: Kiran Amegadjie, OL, Yale 75th overall

Bears NFL Draft grades for selecting Yale OT Kiran Amegadjie in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft

The Chicago Bears continue to improve the surroundings of new franchise quarterback Caleb Williams seemingly with each draft pick. By selecting Yale offensive lineman Kiran Amegadjie the Bears get more depth to help protect their first overall investment.

Amegadjie does not project as an immediate starter with Chicago being locked in at both tackle spots with Darnell Wright and Braxton Jones. Amegadjie could potentially play guard but likely operates best as a developmental talent behind two rock solid tackles.

Ideal size, excellent athleticism, and plenty of power, Amegadjie is quite the value at this point in the draft as he truly has the potential to develop into a good starter at either the tackle or guard position. Though he needs to some work and there is injury risk, Amegadjie is well worth the pick here in the third round.

Grade: B+