2025 Draft: Day Three Recap

The Bissett Perspective: Breaks down Day 3 draft selections, UDFA signings

Apr 28, 2025

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The Shedeur Sanders situation concluded on Day 3 of the NFL Draft, but many other prospects faced an extended wait to hear their names. Quinn Ewers, once considered a potential first-round pick, watched as seven other quarterbacks were selected—including Graham Mertz (RD6, Pick 197, HOU) and Cam Miler (RD6, Pick 215, LV)—before being chosen by the Dolphins with the 231st pick. Whether Ewers, now called a "best value pick" by some analysts, felt bypassed as teams opted for other quarterbacks remains to be seen.

Several highly-regarded offensive linemen also experienced unexpected slides in the draft. Players like Cameron Williams (RD6, Pick 207, PHI) and Chase Lundt (RD6, Pick 206, BUF), both projected as potential Day 2 acquisitions, waited until late in the sixth round to be selected. These players are responsible for protecting quarterbacks, and their decreased perceived value could significantly alter team strategies.

Similar scenarios played out on the defensive side. Aeneas Peebles (RD6, Pick 210, BAL), a disruptive defensive lineman, and safety Hunter Wohler (RD7, Pick 232, IND), were expected to be drafted earlier based on pre-draft assessments. Their late-round selections underscore the draft's unpredictable nature and the potential for teams to discover impactful players outside of early-round attention.

The Bears' draft began with a questionable decision, selecting Loveland over the higher-rated Ty Warren. They appeared to recover on Day 2 by securing Ozzy Trapilo, a dependable offensive tackle. However, Day 3 raised eyebrows: The selection of Ruben Hyppolite II prompted questions about Chicago's strategy, given the lack of apparent interest from other teams. His defensive statistics from Maryland (Games Played: 50, Solo Tackles: 138, Assisted Tackles: 98, Combined Tackles: 236, Tackles For Loss: 13, Sacks: 3.0) only deepen the confusion.

The draft's conclusion, however, doesn't mark the end of team-building. As the final pick was announced, teams immediately transitioned to signing undrafted free agents (UDFAs) and issuing minicamp invitations. (Rookie minicamps typically commence the week following the NFL Draft.) From quarterbacks like Max Brosmer signing with the Vikings to active recruitment by the Chargers, the UDFA market is full of potential. A team-by-team breakdown of these signings and invitations is provided below, as teams seek to uncover hidden talent.

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Complete Analysis of Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft:

Breakdown by position:

Offense

Riley Leonard (IND) and Will Howard (PIT): Most direct line to under center first?

Quarterback (QB): 8 drafted
- RD5, Pick 144: CLE - Shedeur Sanders (Colorado)
- RD6, Pick 181: PHI - Kyle McCord (Syracuse)
- RD6, Pick 185: PIT - Will Howard (Ohio State)
- RD6, Pick 189: IND - Riley Leonard (Notre Dame)
- RD6, Pick 197: HOU - Graham Mertz (Texas)
- RD6, Pick 215: LV - Cam Miler (NDST)
- RD7, Pick 227: SF - Kurtis Rourke (Indiana)
- RD7, Pick 231: MIA - Quinn Ewers (Texas)
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Running Back (RB): 19 drafted
- RD4, Pick 104: JAC - Bhayshul Tuten (Virginia Tech)
- RD4, Pick 105: NYG - Cameron Skattebo (Arizona State)
- RD4, Pick 114: CAR - Trevor Etienne (Georgia)
- RD4, Pick 116: HOU - Jo'Quavious Marks (USC)
- RD4, Pick 117: LAR - Jarquez Hunter (Auburn)
- RD4, Pick 126: CLE - Dylan Sampson (Tennessee)
- RD5, Pick 147: SF - Jordan James (Oregon)
- RD5, Pick 149: DAL - Jaydon Blue (Texas)
- RD5, Pick 151: IND - D.J. Giddens (Kansas State)
- RD6, Pick 179: MIA - Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma State)
- RD6, Pick 184: NO - Devin Neal (Kansas)
- RD6, Pick 188: TEN - Kalel Mullings (Michigan)
- RD6, Pick 193: CIN - Tahj Brooks (Texas Tech)
- RD7, Pick 223: SEA - Damien Martinez (Miami (FL))
- RD7, Pick 228: KC - Brashard Smith (SMU)
- RD7, Pick 233: CHI - Kyle Monangai (Rutgers)
- RD7, Pick 236: JAC - LeQuint Allen Jr. (Syracuse)
- RD7, Pick 239: DAL - Phil Mafah (Clemson)
- RD7, Pick 245: WAS - Jacori Croskey-Merritt (Arizona)
Wide Receiver (WR): 19 drafted
- RD4, Pick 103: TEN - Chimere Dike (Florida)
- RD4, Pick 108: LV - Dont'e Thornton Jr. (Tennessee)
- RD4, Pick 110: NYJ - Arian Smith (Georgia)
- RD4, Pick 128: WAS - Jaylin Lane (Virginia Tech)
- RD4, Pick 133: KC - Jalen Royals (Utah State)
- RD4, Pick 136: TEN - Elic Ayomanor (Stanford)
- RD4, Pick 138: SF - Jordan Watkins (Ole Miss)
- RD5, Pick 158: LAC - KeAndre Lambert-Smith (Auburn)
- RD5, Pick 166: SEA - Tory Horton (Colorado State)
- RD6, Pick 203: BAL - LaJohntayWester (WR)
- RD6, Pick 208: CAR - Jimmy Horn Jr. (Colorado)
- RD6, Pick 213: LV - Tommy Mellott (Montana St.
- RD7, Pick 235: TB - Tez Johnson (Oregon)
- RD7, Pick 238: SEA - Ricky White III (UNLV)
- RD7, Pick 240: BUF - Kaden Prather (Maryland)
- RD7, Pick 242: LAR - Konata Mumpfield (Pittsburgh)
- RD7, Pick 244: DET - Dominic Lovett (Georgia)
- RD7, Pick 252: SF - Junior Bergen (Montana)
Tight End (TE): 10 drafted
- RD4, Pick 120: TEN - Gunnar Helm (Texas)
- RD5, Pick 163: CAR - Mitchell Evans (Notre Dame)
- RD5, Pick 165: LAC - Oronde Gadsden II (Syracuse)
- RD5, Pick 173: BUF - Jackson Hawes (Georgia Tech)
- RD5, Pick 175: SEA - Robbie Ouzts (Alabama)
- RD6, Pick 202: MIN - Gavin Bartholomew (Pittsburgh)
- RD7, Pick 219: NYG - Thomas Fidone (Nebraska)
- RD7, Pick 241: DEN - Caleb Lohner (Utah)
- RD7, Pick 255: HOU - Luke Lachey (Iowa)'