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The final day of the NFL Draft is where legends are found, depth is established, or players are forgotten before camp ends. The latter being something Jags fans are far too familiar with. For the Jaguars, Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft was about taking swings, adding depth, and maybe-just maybe-finding a hidden gem or two. From gritty to developmental players, Jacksonville rounded out its draft with a mix of upside and risk.
Now, it's time to separate the potential playmakers from the long shots. Let's grade the picks and see who has a real shot to make noise in Duval.
Virginia Tech Hokies running back Bhayshul Tuten (33) runs the ball against Virginia Cavaliers defensive end Miles Greene (14) during the fourth quarter at Lane Stadium.Peter Casey-Imagn Images
Grade: A
This pick? This is my favorite draft pick besides the Travis Hunter selection. Absolutely love this one. Tuten is explosive, shifty, and built like a back who is ready to eat carries right away. He runs angry, catches the ball naturally, and has the vision to carve a defense up. He becomes the fastest player on the roster with his 4.32 time in the 40-yard dash, besting superstar Brian Thomas Jr by .01 seconds.
The Jaguars needed a back with juice to fill the Bucky Irving role in Liam Coen's offense, and they just landed a low-cost weapon who will thrive in that role. One of the best picks, no question.
Grade: B+
Kiser brings the kind of motor and football IQ you love from an off-ball linebacker. He's not the flashiest athlete, but he is certainly athletic enough. Posting a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash, 6.97 in the 3-cone drill, 9'9" in the broad jump, and a 34.5" inch vertical jump.
He is reliable, reads plays fast, and isn't afraid to fill the gap with a pop. Kiser will carve out a role on special teams immediately and could push for a starting role by the end of camp. Classic high-floor pick.
Grade: D+
This one felt like a reach. I had McLeod as a priority free agent. He has flashed some pass-rush ability at Auburn, but he is undersized, inconsistent, and disappears for stretches. He does have some quickness off the edge, but lacks the strength, length, and technique to hold up against NFL linemen.
The upside is there, but it will be a long road. Maybe a special-teams project, but this pick could be tough to justify after final roster cuts.
Grade: D
Lane is a great story-gritty, disciplined, and the kind of locker room guy coaches love to have around. From a talent standpoint, this pick is a stretch. Similar to McLeod, I had him labeled as a priority undrafted free agent. Limited speed, average instincts, and questionable range in coverage don't inspire much confidence that he'll make an impact defensively. His path to a roster spot likely runs through special teams or the practice squad. A feel-good pick, more than a football one.
Grade: A-
Now THIS is a seventh-round selection you can get behind. Monheim is battle-tested, technically sound, and has the versatility to slide across the interior line. He could have easily gone in round five, and nobody would have questioned it. He held his own in the Big Ten and brings the kind of depth the Jaguars desperately need along the interior of the line.
He won't wow anyone physically, but he plays smart and with leverage. Most importantly, he puts an end to the Luke Fortner experiment. Monheim should step right in as the backup center with the flexibility to step in at guard if needed.
Grade: B
Two running backs in one draft might feel like overkill, but Allen brings something different to the table. He is your between-the-tackles runner with sneaky wiggle, vision, and soft hands in the passing game. He is tough, productive, and durable. Allen is everything you would want and expect from a late-round selection. He will be in the mix for the RB 2 spot right away and should develop into a solid 1-2 punch with Tuten down the road. My only concern with this selection is that I was higher on Clemson running back Phil Mafah, who went three picks later to the Cowboys, but still a solid selection who should stick.
James Gladstone, Tony Boselli, and Liam Coen didn't just coast through Day 3 of the NFL Draft- they took some real swings. Between the homerun potential selections of Tuten, Kise,r and Monheim, and the more questionable flyers like McLeod and Lane III, it was a mixed bag. But that's what Day 3 is all about: finding diamonds in the rough, adding depth, and hoping a few guys are hits. If even two or three of these draft selections stick, Jacksonville's draft is that much stronger, while helping to build the foundation for years to come.
Continue reading...
Now, it's time to separate the potential playmakers from the long shots. Let's grade the picks and see who has a real shot to make noise in Duval.
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Virginia Tech Hokies running back Bhayshul Tuten (33) runs the ball against Virginia Cavaliers defensive end Miles Greene (14) during the fourth quarter at Lane Stadium.Peter Casey-Imagn Images
Round 4, Pick 104 - Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech
Grade: A
This pick? This is my favorite draft pick besides the Travis Hunter selection. Absolutely love this one. Tuten is explosive, shifty, and built like a back who is ready to eat carries right away. He runs angry, catches the ball naturally, and has the vision to carve a defense up. He becomes the fastest player on the roster with his 4.32 time in the 40-yard dash, besting superstar Brian Thomas Jr by .01 seconds.
The Jaguars needed a back with juice to fill the Bucky Irving role in Liam Coen's offense, and they just landed a low-cost weapon who will thrive in that role. One of the best picks, no question.
Round 4, Pick 107 - Jack Kiser, LB, Notre Dame
Grade: B+
Kiser brings the kind of motor and football IQ you love from an off-ball linebacker. He's not the flashiest athlete, but he is certainly athletic enough. Posting a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash, 6.97 in the 3-cone drill, 9'9" in the broad jump, and a 34.5" inch vertical jump.
He is reliable, reads plays fast, and isn't afraid to fill the gap with a pop. Kiser will carve out a role on special teams immediately and could push for a starting role by the end of camp. Classic high-floor pick.
Round 6, Pick 194 - Jalen McLeod, LB, Auburn
Grade: D+
This one felt like a reach. I had McLeod as a priority free agent. He has flashed some pass-rush ability at Auburn, but he is undersized, inconsistent, and disappears for stretches. He does have some quickness off the edge, but lacks the strength, length, and technique to hold up against NFL linemen.
The upside is there, but it will be a long road. Maybe a special-teams project, but this pick could be tough to justify after final roster cuts.
Round 6, Pick 200 - Rayuan Lane III, S, Navy
Grade: D
Lane is a great story-gritty, disciplined, and the kind of locker room guy coaches love to have around. From a talent standpoint, this pick is a stretch. Similar to McLeod, I had him labeled as a priority undrafted free agent. Limited speed, average instincts, and questionable range in coverage don't inspire much confidence that he'll make an impact defensively. His path to a roster spot likely runs through special teams or the practice squad. A feel-good pick, more than a football one.
Round 7, Pick 221 - Jonah Monheim, C, USC
Grade: A-
Now THIS is a seventh-round selection you can get behind. Monheim is battle-tested, technically sound, and has the versatility to slide across the interior line. He could have easily gone in round five, and nobody would have questioned it. He held his own in the Big Ten and brings the kind of depth the Jaguars desperately need along the interior of the line.
He won't wow anyone physically, but he plays smart and with leverage. Most importantly, he puts an end to the Luke Fortner experiment. Monheim should step right in as the backup center with the flexibility to step in at guard if needed.
Round 7, Pick 236 - LeQuint Allen, RB, Syracuse
Grade: B
Two running backs in one draft might feel like overkill, but Allen brings something different to the table. He is your between-the-tackles runner with sneaky wiggle, vision, and soft hands in the passing game. He is tough, productive, and durable. Allen is everything you would want and expect from a late-round selection. He will be in the mix for the RB 2 spot right away and should develop into a solid 1-2 punch with Tuten down the road. My only concern with this selection is that I was higher on Clemson running back Phil Mafah, who went three picks later to the Cowboys, but still a solid selection who should stick.
James Gladstone, Tony Boselli, and Liam Coen didn't just coast through Day 3 of the NFL Draft- they took some real swings. Between the homerun potential selections of Tuten, Kise,r and Monheim, and the more questionable flyers like McLeod and Lane III, it was a mixed bag. But that's what Day 3 is all about: finding diamonds in the rough, adding depth, and hoping a few guys are hits. If even two or three of these draft selections stick, Jacksonville's draft is that much stronger, while helping to build the foundation for years to come.
Continue reading...
