At noon, the third and final day of the NFL Draft begins. Although it lasts nearly all day, Day 3 is typically the least interesting for fans. The players selected range from lesser known to totally anonymous, and few project to make much of an instant impact. However, the final day of the draft is just as important as the two that preceded it. Not only do teams find key depth players in rounds four through seven, but they also occasionally find true superstars.
NFL Draft 2015: Start time and TV schedule for Rounds 4-7
Some Day 3 picks will turn into NFL stars.
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
The reigning NFC champion Seattle Seahawks built a title contender largely on the backs of prospects taken on the final day of the draft. Seventy-five percent of last year's starting secondary -- Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor and Byron Maxwell -- was selected after the start of the fourth round. Two of them are All-Pros and arguably the best at their position, the other earned a massive free agent contract with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason.
However, the most famous Day 3 draft story is that of future Hall of Famer and four-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady. Brady, an unheralded quarterback out of Michigan, was selected with the 199th overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft. One year later, he led the New England Patriots to their first championship.
So what still available players could follow in those footsteps in 2015? UCLA’s Brett Hundley and Baylor’s Bryce Petty, who watched four other quarterbacks go in front of them, are still sitting around. Boise State running back Jay Ajayi, who’s drawn loose comparisons to Marshawn Lynch, is on the board. Ohio State defensive lineman Michael Bennett, Pittsburgh offensive tackle T.J. Clemmings and Ole Miss safety Cody Prewitt are other names to watch.
Teams are allotted five minutes for each pick in the fourth through the sixth rounds, and then four minutes for each pick in the final round. Unlike earlier rounds, teams often make their selection before the clock is nearing zero.
How to Watch
Date: May 2
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Location: Auditorium Theatre, Chicago
TV: NFL Network, ESPN
Online: WatchESPN, NFL.com
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