By Logan Franz
The impact of Day 3 on the rest of the draft is tough to pinpoint. There’s so many picks but not many of them have a lot of value long-term. Determining winners and losers is also more difficult. There’s really no losing right away when all your picks are dart throws on players the front office believes in. That being said, there were some diamonds in the rough that can classify some teams as winners on Day 3.
Detroit Lions
The biggest addition for the Lions on Day 3 came with their back-to-back picks in Round 4. They added USC wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown with the 112th overall pick and Purdue linebacker Derrick Barnes with the 113th overall pick. They addressed two positions in which they needed depth and both players could potentially start this season Amon-Ra St. Brown isn’t elite at any one thing but is good at a lot of things, which is great for a late round prospect. Like everyone in these late rounds, Barnes needs some polishing to his game but overall he’s an explosive playmaker worth taking a chance on.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles weren’t done adding firepower to their offense after drafting Devonta Smith in Round 1. With the 150th overall pick, the Eagles selected Memphis running back Kenneth Gainwell. Gainwell adds more to a backfield that lacks depth outside of Miles Sanders. He offers upside in both the passing and running game. He’s a very talented back who is elusive and could be useful in the screen game in the Eagles offense. He will likely have an immediate impact in 2021.
 Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings didn’t exactly address needs late in the draft but they did get stronger at two already strong positions. They added Cal cornerback Camryn Bynum with the 125th overall pick and Iowa wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette with the 157th overall pick. Bynum could see a move to safety because of his physicality but he will fit into the secondary of Mike Zimmer’s defense. Smith-Marsette will be an asset in the return game for the Vikings but don’t rule him out as a slot receiver as well. Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen will eat up most of the targets but Smith-Marsette presents an intriguing size-speed combination that may make it impossible to keep him on the bench for too long.
Edited by Emma Moloney