Winners and losers from Day 3 of 2024 NFL Draft

After 257 picks, the 2024 NFL Draft is in the books. The three-day event ended with Rounds 4-7 on Saturday.

Here are the day’s winners and losers. 

WINNER

Oregon: If the final four rounds of the draft form the backbone of NFL rosters, then Saturday was an excellent advertisement for the Ducks under head coach Dan Lanning. Five Oregon players were drafted in the fourth round alone, including wide receiver Troy Franklin (No. 102), cornerback Khyree Jackson (No. 108), defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus (No. 109), safety Evan Williams (No. 111) and running back Bucky Irving (No. 125).

LOSER

The second tier of quarterbacks: After Thursday’s historic run of six quarterbacks being taken in the first 12 picks, the league made history again by it taking 138 picks for the seventh quarterback to come off the board when the Saints selected South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler. While most draft experts didn’t have that wide of a gap between Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr. and Rattler, it’s clear NFL teams felt the gap was severe.

WINNER

Miami Dolphins Grand Prix: The Dolphins may as well turn their stadium into a racetrack. Miami added more speed to the fastest roster in football with some outstanding Day 3 picks. First, the Dolphins added running back Jaylen Wright, who ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at the scouting combine. Later, they added Virginia wideout Malik Washington, who only ran a 4.47 40-time at the combine but was named Pro Football Focus’ most underrated wide receiver prospect in the 2024 class. Miami’s offense already featured speedsters Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert, but somehow, it just got faster.

LOSER

Cleveland Browns: The Texans cashed in on their final picks from the Deshaun Watson trade on Day 3. With the dust settled, the deal is downright horrific for the Browns. In total, with the picks acquired by dealing Watson, the Texans added offensive lineman Kenyon Greene, running back Dameon Pierce, wide receiver Tank Dell, edge-rusher Will Anderson Jr., cornerback Kamari Lassiter, linebacker Jamal Hill and safety Calen Bullock. 

The final payment was due on Saturday, but the effects will be felt in Cleveland and Houston for seasons to come.

WINNER

Ezekiel Elliott’s odds of a Cowboys reunion: The Cowboys’ confounding offseason became even stranger when they decided against spending one of their eight picks on a running back. ESPN’s Todd Archer reported following the team’s inaction at the position through the draft’s first three rounds that Elliott’s return appeared “more and more likely.” It’s a necessity after the team once again neglected to address the position on Saturday.