Buffalo Bills NFL Draft 2024: Best available players on Day 3

Plenty of talent remains on the third day of the NFL Draft

It’s the final day of the 2024 NFL Draft and the Buffalo Bills are looking to hit on meaningful depth (or better) whether they use the entire allotment of their seven picks they’re slated for or not. The first selection of the day will happen in the fourth round with a flurry of four fifth-round picks to follow.

This isn’t a normal year for the Buffalo Bills who are finding themselves with more meaningful holes to fill in their roster with the recent turnover. So, this is one of the most important Day 3 events in recent memory for general manager Brandon Beane.

Are you expecting All-Pros or even Pro Bowls of this group? Certainly not. But you need meaningful contribution to occur from multiple players if all seven picks are made.

The Bills will be looking for solid depth across the board so we’ll consider all positions on the table for Day 3. Let’s see what talent still lies in the rough for Saturday’s activities.

Wide Receivers

Troy Franklin (Oregon)

It’s a bit of a surprise to see him fall here, but Franklin has some size concerns in addition to drops and questions about route-running upside. There’s reason to believe Franklin can come in to help an NFL offense with his high-end speed and high-end ability to work vertical stems. But he’s considered a faller at this point in the draft.

Malik Washington (Virginia)

He’s undersized but, if you love YAC, you’re going to love Malik Washington. He drops in at just 5’8” but he has a case as the best receiver with the ball in their hands in this draft. He has very reliable hands for someone of his stature and his explosiveness pops big time on tape. He’s not a great route runner at this time and mixing that with his lack of size is likely why he’s being called on Day 3.

Tez Walker (North Carolina)

Walker has some of the same issues as Franklin with drops and a limited route tree. He has size, speed, and enough talent for someone to pull the trigger early on Day 3.

Javon Baker (UCF)

A former Alabama transfer, Baker fit in just fine at UCF. He had a massive 2023 season and he’s a big-play machine for the Knights. He flashes ability to catch the ball off his frame, and he proved himself as a very good YAC player. Running a 4.54 is a bit underwhelming considering his play style. He also has to work on cleaning up his route running and drops if he wants to ever work himself into a starting role.

Quarterbacks

Spencer Rattler (South Carolina)

It would be surprising if Rattler doesn’t go off the board early today. He’s a quarterback with plenty of arm talent but his decision-making tends to get him in trouble. He’s a middling athlete who has had character questions dating back to high school for his overflowing level of confidence.

Michael Pratt (Tulane)

Pratt is a player who meets NFL thresholds as an accurate, athletic passer who leaves something to be desired with his arm strength. However, he’s the ideal backup quarterback for these traits and you’d feel comfortable he can step in and finish games without disaster. While he doesn’t have the high-quality traits, Pratt has a lot of the other qualities you look for in a quarterback.

Running Backs

Jaylen Wright (Tennessee)

Wright has all of the potential in the world with a fantastic athletic profile. However, he needs to do the small things better to maximize himself in the NFL. His vision behind the line of scrimmage is spotty and he’s a one-gear runner behind the line where he lacks patience. But he’s an electric athlete capable of hitting top gear in a hurry and maintaining as he swerves by defenders.

Braelon Allen (Wisconsin)

Youngest player in this year’s draft class just turning 20 in January. Massive running back at 6’1” and 235 pounds. He’s a one-cut runner who sees it and goes. You’d like to see him play more like a bully and not fumble as much, but the size and ability to maximize runs makes him a worthwhile prospect.

Audric Estime (Notre Dame)

Estime is one of the more intriguing backs in the draft class. He’s another massive back at 5’11” and 220 pounds. Estime has surprising burst in addition to his unsurprising contact balance due to his size. He’s a one-cut runner with excellent ability to shift gears. NFL teams could be scared off that he ran a 4.71 40-yard dash at the combine despite looking much faster on tape.

Offensive Line

Christian Jones, OT (Texas)

Jones is an ideal swing tackle in the NFL with just enough mobility to survive on the outside, but not enough loose athleticism to consistently hold up as a quality starter. Jones has natural power in the run game, but you’d like to keep him out at tackle because his feet are good enough to stay out there. He does have some issues in space, but a team should be happy with him as a swing tackle to take on.

Christian Mahogany, OG (Boston College)

Mahogany is a very strong player who needs quite a bit of work to correct his footwork and technique as a pass protector. He’s a very gifted run blocker. If a team can course-correct his technique in the pass game, they’ve got themselves a starter in Mahogany.

Mason McCormick, IOL (South Dakota State)

Another guard with great physicality where teams will need to see if they can clean up his pass protection. There’s developmental upside to be had — McCormick tested very well at the NFL Scouting Combine

Tanor Bortolini, OC (Nebraska)

Bortolini has the football IQ to be an offensive triggerman from center on day one. He has very short arms, which will inevitably limit him some in the NFL, but there’s a lot to like about the athlete that can be unlocked if teams feel like they can cover up the length issue.

Defensive Line

Austin Booker, EDGE (Kansas)

Booker has some juice off the edge on tape, but he didn’t test like a superb athlete who’s undersized. He’s raw with just two years of college experience (18 total games played) but he shows on tape that he can gain the edge and flatten. He needs plenty of refinement so a team could draft and stash him while he gains valuable reps.

Linebackers

Tommy Eichenberg (Ohio State)

He will be readymade to play in the NFL from day one because of his football IQ and quick trigger to diagnose and finish tackles. You want to see more from him in coverage as he’s more of a spot-drop player at this point, but there’s enough fluidity to feel like he can get there.

Cedric Gray (North Carolina)

Gray has the athleticism to live in the NFL from day one. He’s a largely impactful splash player in college. He’s not overwhelming you in any area, but you do love how many plays he does make. He checks a lot of boxes as an athlete and body type.

Defensive Backs

T.J. Tampa, CB (Iowa State)

Tampa might not be the best scheme fit as he’s likely a press-man or Cover-2 corner, but he does offer physicality and lower half explosiveness to push as a starter for an NFL team. He’s a very willing run defender but could clean up on his misses in that department.

Caelen Carson, CB (Wake Forest)

Smart, explosive corner who has the ability to make consistent impact on the ball. He has a good deal of injury history on his profile, but he’s athletic enough and versatile to be able to provide early depth on the outside or at nickel.