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A cubist interpretation of the NFL Draft captures the strategic complexity teams navigate to uncover hidden gems on the final day of the event.Indianapolis Today
While the early rounds of the NFL Draft generate the most buzz, the later rounds on Day 3 are where teams find valuable contributors who can develop into starters and provide important depth. The league’s top franchises have consistently found success by identifying overlooked players with upside and the right mental makeup to thrive in the NFL.
Why it matters
Building a winning roster in the NFL requires finding talent beyond just the high-profile early-round picks. Teams that excel at unearthing gems on Day 3 of the draft and in undrafted free agency often have a competitive advantage, as these players provide cost-effective depth and special teams contributions that are crucial to sustained success.
The details
While early-round picks bring star power and big contracts, rosters are built and sustained through players selected in the fourth through seventh rounds, as well as undrafted free agents. These are the players who can develop into starters, excel on special teams, and provide needed depth. Scouting departments that can identify the right traits and upside in these later-round prospects are key to building winning programs.
The NFL Draft takes place over three days, with the fourth through seventh rounds occurring on the final day, known as ‘Day 3’.The 2024 Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles found key contributors like offensive lineman Jordan Mailata (7th round) and edge rusher Josh Sweat (4th round) on Day 3 of the draft.
The players
Nick Caserio
General Manager of the Houston Texans, who emphasizes the importance of scouting and developing players selected in the later rounds of the draft.
Howie Roseman
General Manager of the Philadelphia Eagles, who has found long-term starters like Jason Kelce (6th round) and other key contributors on Day 3 of the draft.
Chris Ballard
General Manager of the Indianapolis Colts, who believes that great players can come from anywhere in the draft, including late rounds and undrafted free agency.
John Lynch
General Manager of the San Francisco 49ers, who emphasizes the importance of mental toughness and intangibles in addition to physical ability when evaluating late-round prospects.
The legendary quarterback, who was famously selected in the 6th round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots and went on to become one of the greatest players in league history.
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What they’re saying
“You take a lot of pride in those players because those players have an opportunity to enhance your overall program, enhance your overall team. Again, just get them in the building. If they’re on the roster, great. If they’re off the roster in the practice squad, no problem. We’ve talked about this. You’re going to need those players at some point to go in and play really important snaps.”
— Nick Caserio, General Manager, Houston Texans
“I think when you’re talking about the first-round picks, you’re hoping you’re getting a two-contract player that has Pro Bowl potential. So you’re looking at it over hopefully eight- , nine- , 10-year period. Then I think as you go through the draft, those expectations change just based on really the research on those picks. When you’re in the fifth round, can you expect that you’re going to get an eight- , nine- , 10-year player based on the resource? Maybe not. Obviously, that’s what we’re looking to do and that’s what we’re looking to hit on.”
— Howie Roseman, General Manager, Philadelphia Eagles
“Great players come from everywhere in the draft, whether they’re a first-round pick, seventh-round pick, undrafted free agent. Our scouts do a great job of digging and trying to dig out those types of players that we think can come in and produce right away. They come from everywhere.”
— Chris Ballard, General Manager, Indianapolis Colts
“I will tell you that a lot of the things we track in terms of successful draft choices over the years, there’s obviously a requisite amount of ability. A lot of it goes to the person, the intangibles that they possess or don’t possess in terms of them making it or not making it. And I think that’s because, having done it myself for 15 years, the NFL is very hard. It’s tough. It’s not easy. You’re going to be tested over and over and over. And so, do you have that mental fortitude that when things get tough, because they will and they do and that never goes away, do you have that mental toughness, that physical toughness to endure and get the most out of whatever your abilities are? I think that’s really critical, but the tape is very critical.”
— John Lynch, General Manager, San Francisco 49ers
What’s next
As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, teams will be closely evaluating their scouting processes and strategies for finding talent on Day 3 of the draft. Fans and analysts will be closely watching to see which late-round picks and undrafted free agents emerge as key contributors for contending teams.
The takeaway
The NFL’s best teams understand that building a winning roster requires finding valuable contributors beyond just the high-profile early-round picks. By consistently identifying overlooked players with the right combination of ability and mental toughness, teams can uncover hidden gems on Day 3 of the draft and in undrafted free agency, providing crucial depth and special teams contributions that are essential for sustained success in the league.