2013 NFL Draft: Projecting Where the Most Notable Names End Up On Day Three

I had projected there would be four quarterbacks in round one, and eight in the Top 100. Only one went in the Top 32, with just three total in the Top 97 picks thus far. That being said, the 3^rd day is when teams really try to capture value as well as go after “developmental” quarterbacks with the idea that if they fail, they at least got an adequate backup out of the pick.

Along with projecting where the next six best quarterbacks go, we’ll take a look at two surprisingly still available receivers Quinton Patton and Da’Rick Rogers and if a team gambles on Marcus Lattimore or Denard Robinson.

Ryan Nassib – Jaguars in Round 4
In what was rumored to happen at the top of the 2^nd round, the Jaguars repeatedly passed on a quarterback to battle with Blaine Gabbert this year. With Nassib sill on the board here at the top of the 4^th round, finding competition for Gabbert is a must do regardless, and they can still get the guy they coveted. I’m still confident Nassib can win that job.

Tyler Wilson – Cowboys in Round 4
Despite displaying toughness and leadership characteristics this season, Wilson likely fell to the 4^th round because of erratic ball placement and mechanics. Wilson compares to Eli Manning and Tony Romo for me, and despite looking like the best combination of both in 2011, he combined Eli’s scattered accuracy with Romo’s questionable decisions all year. The Cardinals are a good fit for him as well.

Matt Barkley – Cardinals in Round 4
Long-rumored to like Barkley, the Cardinals are likely to take a quarterback with one of their two early 4^th rounders. After addressing the defense and offensive line, the Cardinals are more in the luxury stage, and quarterback is certainly a need with Drew Stanton and Carson Palmer not the long-term answer. Barkley’s football IQ could make him a competitor for the starting job.

Zac Dysert – Chiefs in Round 5
The Chiefs already invested in Alex Smith after trading a second rounder for him, but Andy Reid loves his mid-late round quarterback projects. Dysert is certainly one that provides enough intrigue and high upside to work with, and he has the athleticism and flashes of mobile passing to get Reid excited. If he’s there at 134, he’d make a lot of sense for KC.

Tyler Bray – Browns in Round 4
It wouldn’t be shocking to see Bray as the next quarterback off the board. He’s a high upside guy who needs to sit for a year or two to both refine his game and “grow up” a bit as a person. The 4^th round is generally the time to take those type of developmental quarterbacks, and with the Browns having Brandon Weeden and Jason Campbell battling for the starting job, Bray could sit back as the QB3 this year and battle in 2014.

Landry Jones – Texans in Round 4
Despite coming from Oklahoma and drawing the instant comparison to Sam Bradford, Landry Jones isn’t a top quarterback. He doesn’t have a big arm to make plays down the field, he struggles under pressure, and he’s not nearly mobile enough. That being said, he should have a long career as an NFL backup, and maybe develop into a starter down the road. Jones is a nice fit in Kubiak’s offense, and they have the luxury of taking a QB at 124.

Da’Rick Rogers – Seahawks in Round 5
Rogers is a first round talent at receiver, but the former Tennessee receiver’s character is what’s causing him to fall drastically on draft day. It’ll take a team with a stable locker room and the luxury to cut him if he doesn’t figure out how to be a professional. Seattle, who doesn’t need a receiver, can utilize the luxury thanks to having two other 5^th round picks this year.

Marcus Lattimore – Colts in Round 4
The Colts need to address the running back position, and getting a more capable starter may be their idea of adding to the position. But for a young team not in a rush to get to the Super Bowl this year, they have the ability to take potentially the best running back in this class in the 4^th round, and sit on him for most of 2013. When this team is another year older and can make a strong Super Bowl push in 2014, Lattimore can be their impact runner then.

Denard Robinson – Falcons in Round 4
Everyone’s favorite quarterback turned receiver, Robinson’s final grade likely should settle in the late 4^th to early 5^th round because of his inability to play special teams, concerns about nerve damage in his elbow, and his need for development as a receiver. That being said, the Falcons could use a unique short area playmaker in their offense, and with two fourth rounders, Robinson is a logical fit to be one of them.

Quinton Patton – Lions in Round 5
I thought Patton would be a Lions option in round two thanks to their need for a receiver opposite Calvin Johnson who can stay on the field (unlike Titus Young). I’m unsure why Patton has fallen so far on draft day, as the efficient, NFL ready receiver has the ability to play the “Z” or slot position in the NFL and at a high level. If the Lions can add Patton, he and Ryan Broyles should give Stafford two excellent route runners to keep Calvin Johnson free vertically.