2022 NFL Draft, Day Three Highlights

The 2022 NFL Draft is in the books, and while a bulk of the big moves come on the first two days, there were still some interesting selections on Day Three. Below are a few highlights from the last day of the draft.

Quarterback:

Sam Howell, selected 5.01 by the Washington Commanders
About: There was a quarterback taken in the Fourth Round, but it wasn’t Howell. Once considered a possible First Round pick, Howell slid all the way to the first pick in the Fifth Round. He lands in Washington, which traded for Carson Wentz this off-season and also has Taylor Heinicke on the roster. The landing spot likely gives him a chance to learn and, perhaps, get a shot in a year or two. If you’re looking for immediate help in a rookie draft, Howell isn’t an ideal target. He should be a Third or Fourth Round stash in Superflex.

Carson Strong, UDFC signed by the Philadelphia Eagles
About: Strong, out of Nevada, headed into the draft seemingly as the No. 6 quarterback. Nine quarterbacks were drafted over seven rounds and Strong didn’t hear his name called. He signed right after the draft with the Eagles, which is a decent landing spot for a prospect behind Jalen Hurts and Gardner Minshew. Strong is another Superflex stash, likely worth a late Third or Fourth Round pick.

Running Back:

Dameon Pierce, selected 4.02 by the Houston Texans
About: Pierce was the first running back off the board in the Fourth Round, landing in a decent spot in Houston. He wasn’t an incredible producer in college but saw around 100 carries and rushed for more than 500 yards each of the last two seasons at Florida. The interest here comes from the landing spot. The Texans currently have a hodgepodge at running back with a group that includes Royce Freeman, Rex Burkhead and the newly signed Marlon Mack. The Texans aren’t afraid to give meaningful roles to middle round selections, so Pierce will likely get a chance to contribute. That makes him a solid Second Round selection for me.

Zamir White, selected 4.17 by the Las Vegas Raiders
About: White rushed for more than 2,000 yards and 17 touchdowns in three seasons at Georgia, splitting time with other backs. He’s not much of a receiver, but figures to be a decent early down runner. The Raiders have Josh Jacobs and Kenyan Drake, but both are entering the final year of their contract. This is a pick that requires patience, but I think White could be a contributor for the new regime, especially as Josh McDaniels heavily relied on a committee in New England. I like him as a late Second or Third Round pick.

Isaiah Spiller, selected 4.18 by the Los Angeles Chargers
About: At one point in the draft process, Spiller looked like he could be the top running back off the board. A poor showing at the Combine seemed to set him back, and he ended up the ninth back taken. Still, he landed in a decent spot with the Chargers where he can do it all and be in rotation behind Austin Ekeler. Spiller rushed for nearly 3,000 yards in three years at Texas A&M, catching 74 passes. I like him as a Second-Round pick in rookie drafts.

Kyren Williams, selected 5.21 by the Los Angeles Rams
About: This is another selection that requires a bit of patience. Williams didn’t have a great Combine and seemed to slide down draft boards. He ended up going in the late Fifth Round to the Rams. The Rams have Cam Akers in place, with Darrell Henderson on the roster. However, it’s a contract year for Henderson and Michel, which could give Williams more appeal in 2023. As a Third-Round selection in rookie drafts, he feels like a decent stash.

Wide Receiver:

Khalil Shakir, selected 5.05 by the Buffalo Bills
About: Wide receivers were plentiful in the first three rounds but a few more went on Day Three that I’m interested in. Chief among those is Shakir, a player I liked pre-draft. He caught 208 passes for 2,878 yards and 20 touchdowns in four seasons at Boise State. The Bills are a high-volume passing offense that has some openings beyond Stefon Diggs, especially with Jamison Crowder on a one-year deal. He’s the kind of prospect I’m looking to take a shot on in the Third or Fourth Round of a rookie draft.

Tight End:

Daniel Bellinger, selected 4.07 by the New York Giants
About: This is all about opportunity. The Giants saw both Evan Engram and Kyle Rudolph move on this off-season. That leaves a tight end group led by Jordan Akins and Ricky Seals-Jones. Into that comes Bellinger, taken in the top half of the Fourth Round by the Giants after a strong career at San Diego State. He caught 68 passes for 771 yards in his time there and has a great shot to develop and get targets for the Giants. That makes him an upside pick in the Third and Fourth Round of rookie drafts.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.