With the 2023 NFL Draft just over a week away, we’ve already hammered home the top draft prospects. At this point, everyone is familiar with the Top 25-50 players. So we’re gonna take the opportunity to shed some light on prospects that will be drafted, but will go on Day 3 when most fans have stopped paying attention.
But not you, because you’re reading this article. Which means YOU want to know who your team should snag in the late rounds. Look at the Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. How many Day 3 picks did they hit in the 2022 NFL Draft, that helped them win the Lombardi Trophy?
Today, I’ve got three of my favorite offensive draft prospects who will be selected on Day 3 (rounds 4-7). All of these players are ranked outside of the Top 100 prospects on the consensus big board, according to NFL Mock Draft Database. We’ll get into what makes them standout and where I think their best fit may be.
Favorite Day 3 Offensive Draft Prospects
DeWayne McBride, RB (UAB)
Day 3 is, arguably, the best spot in the NFL Draft to find a starting running back. There is always a solid group of prospects that fall into the later rounds and are ripe for the picking. Just look at last year’s draft, where we had Dameon Pierce (4th round), Tyler Allgeier (5th round), and Isaiah Pacheco (7th round) all well-exceeded draft expectations for their teams as rookies.
In the 2023 NFL Draft, there are a number of running backs I would love to have on Day 3. But the one that stands out most to me is DeWayne McBride. Currently 129th on the consensus big board, and RB14, McBride dominated the past two seasons for UAB. The 2022 Conference USA offensive player of the year racked up 3,084 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns in 2021 & 2022, while averaging over seven yards per carry.
McBride is a zone scheme running back who shows great balance and an ability to run after contact (1,072 rushing yards after contact in 2022). He’s largely unproven as a pass catcher, which is part of why he isn’t a top prospect. He also doesn’t have elite speed or burst.
But I believe he has the type of qualities that translate to the next level. Good vision and run-after-contact ability are traits that will work in the NFL, despite a lack of elite speed. He’s also a three-year junior who will be 22 years old when his rookie year begins.
Best Fit – Arizona Cardinals (4th round, 105th pick)
Arizona needs an effective running game if they’re ever going to help quarterback Kyler Murray. With the addition of new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, who comes from Cleveland and Minnesota, they’ll be looking to add an effective zone scheme runner. Enter McBride, who would replace James Connor as the primary back by the end of the season.
Clayton Tune, QB (Houston)
The NFL is a copycat league and one thing we will see many teams try and recreate is Purdy Magic. Who can be the next franchise to find the diamond in the rough on Day 3 of the NFL Draft? The San Francisco 49ers found a gem in Brock Purdy in the 7th round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and he helped lead them to the NFC Championship game.
If there is one guy in this draft who could be this year’s Brock Purdy, I’m putting my money on Clayton Tune. Tune had a similar career to Purdy, and has a similar draft profile, but unlike Mr Irrelevant, Tune should be off the board before the 7th round. Anything can happen, but Clayton Tune is currently 191st on the consensus big board and QB9.
Tune threw for almost 12,000 yards during his five-year career at Houston and over 100 touchdowns. He stepped onto the field as a freshman and greatly improved his accuracy over the final two seasons of his career. He completed over 67% of his passes in 2021 and 2022.
Tune has the tools you want in a quarterback with some mobility and a load of experience at the college level. He’s a risk-taker at times and hasn’t showed dominance at the G5 level in the way you might want. But in the right place, like Brock Purdy, and with some development he can become an effective NFL backup and potential starter.
Best Fit – Dallas Cowboys (5th round, 169th pick)
Dak Prescott is your guy in Dallas and Cowboys should be happy about their situation. But as good as he is when he plays, he’s also missed 17 games over last three seasons. You need to have a quality backup in today’s NFL. The Texas native Clayton Tune gets to stay in the Lone Star state and develop behind Dak with a good franchise and tools to win around him. Can’t think of a better fit.
Puka Nacua, WR (BYU)
When NFL franchises take a wide receiver in the late rounds of the draft, they’re looking for guys who can fill a specific role on their team. Whether it’s on special teams, or within their offense, you need to have discernible skills that teams can use at the next level. Puka Nacua is a Day 3 prospect who can do just that.
Nacua led BYU in receiving yards over the past two seasons, after starting his college career at Washington. Nacua also showed an ability to work in the run game, rushing for 200 yards and five touchdowns for the Cougars in 2022. He’s got good size (6-1, 200 lbs), but has missed some games every season of his career due to injury.
Nacua is a tough, smart wide receiver who makes big catches and showed an ability to add in the run game. He’s also a willing and skilled blocker on the outside, an extremely valuable skill for NFL evaluators. Nacua doesn’t wow with his size or speed, but he’s got enough juice to work with. Plus, he’s got great feet and body control. Puka Nacua is 175th on the consensus big board and WR24.
When I look at Nacua, I see a player who will find a roster spot because he can play special teams, coaches will love his work ethic and demeanor, and he will do the dirty work if asked. On Day 3 of the NFL Draft, that’s exactly what NFL teams are looking for.
Best Fit – Miami Dolphins (6th round, 197th pick)
Miami is looking to build upon a solid debut for Mike McDaniel and this new Dolphins squad. Adding effective players to surround Tyreek Hill & Jaylen Waddle is a must. Puka Nacua is the perfect addition to this roster, as a guy who can block in the quick passing game and also provide another reliable target, when needed, for Tua Tagovailoa. The Shanahan coaching tree values these types of players (just look at how the Los Angeles Rams utilize Ben Skowronek) and Miami could fill that hole with a really solid prospect in Nacua.
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