There is considerable focus on the first three rounds of the NFL draft. After all, even fourth versions of mock drafts by high level experts aren’t even venturing past the second round — and the 2023 NFL draft kicks off April 27.
However, any NFL team knows that the value to be had during the three-day event is largely comprised on Rounds 4-5, which start off Day 3.
Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans knows there are 31 more slots opened up on the 90-man roster. If the Texans use each of their seven Day 3 picks, he will have to evaluate those rookies against veterans for a place on the club’s 53-man roster by the end of preseason.
Ryans believes players picked between Rounds 4-7 cannot falter in their motivation if they want to stay with their original draft team.
“As people, day three guys have to be very intrinsically motivated,” Ryans said. “That’s the makeup of day three guys. They have this desire that can be unmatched. That allows them to unseat guys that are in front of them. That allows them to go on and be very quality players in the NFL.”
The Texans have had two examples of Day 3 players carving out roles as rookies. 2021 sixth-round defensive tackle Roy Lopez has started 29 of his 33 games active with the Texans, and 2022 fourth-round running back Dameon Pierce has been the offense’s bell-cow since Week 1.
“It has to be a little different because there may be some type of measurable, something that didn’t match up to make that you day one guy,” Ryans explained. “What’s your drive? What’s going to give that you edge? Most of those day three guys have a certain chip on their shoulder that allows guys who may be touted as the best all the time and they get relaxed. Day three guys, sometimes they have that chip on their shoulder that just drives them over the top. I love guys coming in who have a chip on their shoulder, something to prove. They just work different.”
Any Day 3 players that are with the Texans will have to follow the example of Lopez and Pierce and demonstrate they have the drive to prove their worthy daily.
