Brugler: Plenty of draft talent for Day 3

— By Dane Brugler, —

With three rounds in the books and 100 prospects now a contract away from being an NFL player, there are several quality players available when the lottery reconvenes Saturday.

Aside from Michigan defensive tackle Maurice Hurst and his heart issue, the most surprising name still on the board is Oregon tackle Tyrell Crosby, who could have gone in the top 50 and no one would have batted an eye.

According to rankings — which correctly called 85 of the top 100 — here are the top prospects still available entering the fourth round.

  1. Tyrell Crosby, OT, Oregon (6-5, 309)

A four-year starter, Crosby has experience at both left and right tackle. He isn’t a top-tier athlete, but plays with flexibility, body control and toughness, blocking through the echo of the whistle as a run blocker.

  1. Josh Sweat, DE/OLB, Florida State (6-5, 251)

With his frame and body type, Sweat has flashes that are reminiscent of Jadeveon Clowney rushing off the edge. He doesn’t do it consistently enough, but the athleticism and pass-rush potential are there.

  1. Equanimeous St. Brown, WR, Notre Dame (6-5, 214)

While not refined as a route-runner, St. Brown is a good-sized athlete with a large catch radius. He doesn’t always play as big as he looks, but all the tools are there to develop him into a NFL starter.

  1. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, DE/OLB, Oklahoma (6-2, 253)

Although short and undersized, Okoronkwo plays with outstanding power, using his length to forklift blockers from his path. Scheme fit might be the biggest culprit behind his drop into Day 3.

  1. Ian Thomas, TE, Indiana (6-4, 259)

Although he would be best served with a redshirt year in the NFL, Thomas has all the traits to be a future starter and star. When we look back at this draft, we will realize that Thomas was a steal.

  1. Michael Dickson, P, Texas (6-2, 208)

The top specialist on the board, Dickson has Oakland Raiders in the fourth round written all over him. He has a booming leg and can be a weapon that influences field position.

  1. Nyheim Hines, RB, North Carolina State (5-8, 198)

A track athlete, Hines isn’t a traditional running back and is more of an offensive weapon who can line up in the slot or out wide. He won’t be for everyone, but will thrive in the right role as a complementary back.

  1. Shaquem Griffin, LB, UCF (6-0, 227)

Griffin’s tremendous story has been well documented; the only thing left in his draft story is to find out where he will play in the NFL. We will find out early in the fourth round on Saturday.

  1. Genard Avery, LB, Memphis (6-0, 248)

Avery switched between an off-ball linebacker and edge rusher role at Memphis, flashing intriguing athletic and power traits. He lacks great length and will be a scheme fit issue for several teams.

  1. Kyle Lauletta, QB, Richmond (6-3, 222)

The top quarterback remaining on the board, Lauletta doesn’t have great physical traits, but he is smart, efficient and accurate. Lauletta will be a backup in the NFL for a long time.

  1. Jamarco Jones, OT, Ohio State (6-4, 299)
  1. DaShawn Hand, DT, Alabama (6-4, 297)
  1. Mike White, QB, Western Kentucky (6-5, 224)
  1. Trenton Thompson, DL, Georgia (6-3, 288)
  1. DaeSean Hamilton, WR, Penn State (6-1, 203)
  1. Marcus Allen, SS, Penn State (6-2, 215)
  1. Deon Cain, WR, Clemson (6-2, 202)
  1. Holton Hill, CB, Texas (6-2, 196)
  1. Scott Quessenberry, OC, UCLA (6-4, 310)
  1. Jalyn Holmes, DE, Ohio State (6-5, 283)
  1. Mark Walton, RB, Miami (Fla.) (5-10, 202)
  1. Cole Madison, OG, Washington State (6-5, 308)
  1. Kevin Toliver, CB, LSU (6-2, 192)
  1. Daurice Fountain, WR, Northern Iowa (6-1, 206)
  1. Dane Cruikshank, SS, Arizona (6-1, 209)
  1. JK Scott, P, Alabama (6-6, 208)
  1. Duke Ejiofor, DE, Wake Forest (6-3, 264)
  1. Tim Settle, DT, Virginia Tech (6-3, 329)
  1. Micah Kiser, LB, Virginia (6-0, 238)
  1. John Kelly, RB, Tennessee (5-10, 216)
Comments (1)
No. 1-1

Here are the actual round #4 picks for comparison.