When it comes to the final day of the NFL Draft, there are several different areas that teams look to address. Many will look at talented players with character concerns, while others may look to draft less talented players who are great leaders. However, a trait that teams are always looking to take advantage of is athleticism. Therefore, let’s take a look at the best prospect available at each position in terms of their relative athletic score (RAS) on Day 3 of the 2020 NFL Draft.
To put into context the grades below, among graded players, 53% of Pro Bowl selections have entered the NFL Draft with a grade of eight or above. In contrast, just 15.5% of Pro Bowl selections have been players entering the league with a RAS below five. When it comes to a prospect going on to be either a 1000 yard receiver or rusher or a 10 sack contributor, the percentages are also very similar.
Offense
Quarterback: Cole McDonald, Hawaii (RAS: 8.97)
With the top-two most athletic quarterbacks off the board in Jalen Hurts and Justin Herbert, third-placed Cole McDonald becomes the top option on Day 3 of the 2020 NFL Draft. McDonald’s high RAS score comes on the back of elite speed and explosion grades but is somewhat brought down by his poor agility grade. He could make for an interesting dual-threat option at the position for anyone willing to pull the trigger. McDonald ranked 26th on Brad Kelly’s list of the best players available on Day 3 of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Running back: Maurice Thomas, Miami OH (RAS: 9.35)
Thomas is an interesting prospect for a number of reasons. His RAS is unofficial, as he was not an attendant at the combine, and his numbers are from a Pro Day, which has not been fully verified. However, if the numbers are correct, then he is a prospect who combines elite speed and great explosion. His size is a concern, weighing just 179 pounds, and has been graded as poor compared to the rest of the position. His speed and explosion could make him an intriguing prospect for an NFL team if they can get him the ball in space.
Wide receiver: Kristian Wilkerson, Southeast Missouri State (RAS: 9.81)
Much like with Thomas, Wilkerson’s numbers are unofficial as he did not attend the combine and his Pro Day numbers have not been verified. However, the numbers suggest that he has a combination of elite explosion and agility with great speed in a body size that is graded as good. That combination could make him a real weapon for a team in the return game and if they can get him the ball in space, for example, on screens.
Tight end: Chase Harrell, Arkansas (RAS: 9.96)
After arriving at Arkansas, Chase Harrell only managed to get on the field in four games, with just seven receptions. However, his athletic testing numbers were off the chart at the Arkansas Pro Day. Harrell graded as elite when it comes to explosion, agility, and speed. With a body size graded as good at the position, his athletic traits could make him a useful option at the bottom of the depth chart for NFL teams.
Offensive tackle: Jack Driscoll, Auburn (RAS: 8.89)
With all of the top-five offensive tackles in the RAS rankings already off the board, Driscoll is the player with the best profile entering Day 3. He combines great explosion with elite speed, but those traits are somewhat undermined by his smaller frame and middling power. That explosion and speed could make him an interesting proposition for a team that likes to get their linemen out in space, or teams that utilize linemen pulling in the run game.
Interior offensive line: Arlington Hambright, Colorado (RAS: 9.72)
Hambright is a really solid all-around prospect on the interior of the offensive line. Much like Driscoll, he offers a team great explosion and elite speed. However, while Driscoll lacks a little in size and power, Hambright ranks on the higher end when it comes to speed and receives an okay grade for his size.
Defense
Interior defensive line: Khalil Davis, Nebraska (RAS: 9.82)
Davis is another prospect entering Day 3 who is enticing when it comes to the measurables but has concerns over his size. His speed and explosion grades are both elite, and his 32 in the bench press is extremely impressive. The question is whether a team will be able to look past the smaller frame and take a chance on a player that should have the ability to get off the snap quickly and close down ball carriers.
Edge: James Smith-Williams, NC State (RAS: 9.02)
Only one edge player graded higher than Smith-Williams entering the process, Jabari Zuniga, and he went off the board on Day 2. Smith-Williams is an intriguing prospect, with elite speed and strength for the position, while grading good in his explosion and okay in agility and size. That speed and strength could make him a handful for opposing offensive lineman when rushing the quarterback.
Linebacker: Carter Coughlin, Minnesota (RAS: 9.81)
The linebacker position saw the two highest-ranked players in the RAS leaderboard drafted inside the first 25 picks on Day 1. However, the third-ranked prospect in Coughlin still remains on the board. Coughlin returned a grading of great in both his speed and explosion traits, which he combines with good size at the position.
Cornerback: Reggie Robinson II, Tulsa (RAS: 9.63)
With two of the top-five cornerbacks in terms of RAS having come off the board in the top-10 picks, only one of the other three in that top-five have been drafted since. Robinson entered the draft ranked second, with elite size and strength, combined with great explosion and speed and okay agility. That combination could be extremely valuable to teams in the return game, as well as when trying to cover fast or strong receivers.
Safety: Marc-Antoine Dequoy, Montreal (RAS: 9.75)
Dequoy is perhaps the least-known name on this entire list, but his RAS score is impressive, ranking third at the safety position. While he lacks a little when it comes to his weight, he brings incredible 4.35 speed to the table, which he combines with great explosion and agility. That kind of speed and the ability to change direction at the safety can be game-changing. He may also be able to have a role in the return game early for teams with such strong athletic traits.