Day Three Darts: Fantasy Favorites and Draft Gems to Watch

Kevin predicts some Day 3 gems for the NFL draft!

When the draft hits Day Three, the energy shifts. The big names are off the board, the camera pans to war rooms full of coffee cups and crossed fingers, and fans start Googling who their team just picked. But for fantasy managers and draft junkies like myself, this is where it gets fun.

This article isn’t about the flashy first-rounders or the locked-in starters. It’s about the under-the-radar prospects—guys projected to go in Rounds 4-7—who could carve out real NFL roles and, in some cases, sneak their way into fantasy relevance. I’m blending my fantasy lens with a draft-minded approach, especially on some non-premium position players who might not move the needle on Twitter but will absolutely matter when depth charts shake out this summer.

We’re going one player per position—digging into names you’ll want to know when your team’s on the clock late and when you’re hunting for that deep dynasty stash that could pay off big.

QB – Kyle McCord | Syracuse

McCord is the ultimate vibe guy for me. He’s the kind of quarterback you can see falling into a few surprise starts and doing just enough to keep the door cracked open. The resume is there—three state titles in high school, a Gatorade Player of the Year, and a stint as QB1 at Ohio State. He’s played next to stars like Marvin Harrison Jr., sat behind C.J. Stroud, and now finishes his college career at Syracuse.

McCord’s tape is a mix of fireworks and fire drills. He’s got light feet, a quick release, and no shortage of confidence—sometimes to a fault. He led the Power Four in both big-time throws and turnover-worthy plays last year, which says all you need to know about his fearless, sometimes chaotic play style. He doesn’t have a cannon, but he plays like he does, reminiscent of a Drew Lock-lite or a less volatile Baker. His tools may never scream “starter,” but he’s wired like a competitor and could carve out a sneaky long-term backup role with upside.

There’s a world where McCord stumbles into the right system—maybe a West Coast scheme that favors timing and rhythm—and makes enough noise to matter, especially in superflex dynasty formats. He’s not for the faint of heart, but I’ll be watching every snap.

RB – Raheim “Rocket” Sanders | South Carolina

Rocket Sanders feels like the classic Day Three back who lands in a committee and forces his way into touches. He’s got the size (around 220) and enough burst to punish defenses when he gets a clean runway. While the long speed showed up at the combine, it hasn’t always matched the tape—especially early in 2023—but his power game is real. He averaged over 3.5 yards after contact per carry last season, and he’s not afraid to drop the hammer in short yardage.

The consistency hasn’t always been there. Post-2022, his blocking and line play dropped off hard, which exposed some vision issues and a lack of decisiveness in traffic. But when he hits a crease, he hits it with force. He’s a slashing one-cut runner who can do damage in a downhill scheme. Think gap-heavy systems that want their backs to get north in a hurry.

Sanders probably isn’t built for a full-time role, and he won’t give you much in the passing game beyond checkdowns. But if he lands in the right backfield as a No. 2, he’s got the tools to earn early-down work or even goal-line opportunities. He’s a stash-worthy name with a better-than-you-think shot to carve out a role by midseason.

WR – LaJohntay Wester | Colorado

If you want a sneaky Day Three wideout with production, return value, and just enough juice to pop in camp, Wester’s your guy. After lighting it up at FAU for four years—including a 100-catch season in 2023—he transferred to Colorado and immediately became one of Shedeur Sanders’ favorite targets. He posted 74 catches for 931 yards and 10 touchdowns, plus a 76-yard punt return TD that reminded everyone of his special teams upside.

Wester’s calling card is short-area quickness. He’s not going to beat defenders on the outside with strength or speed, but he wins with suddenness, clean hips, and the ability to separate early on routes. He’s built to work underneath and thrives on zone-beaters like flats, hitches, and quick seams. He also improved his hands significantly this past season—just three drops on 74 catches.

He’s a bit undersized and likely locked into a slot-only role, but teams love guys who can make plays after the catch and contribute on special teams. Wester checks both boxes. He’s had multiple interviews with NFL teams and could easily sneak into the fifth or sixth round. From a fantasy lens, he’s exactly the kind of player who finds his way into three-WR sets and PPR relevance if the right opportunity opens up.

TE – Moliki Matavao | UCLA

If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I’ve been a longtime supporter of Moliki Matavao. The former 4-star recruit out of Liberty High School in Nevada was one of the top tight end prospects in the country, earning offers from schools like Alabama, Penn State, and Georgia before committing to Oregon. After limited usage with the Ducks, he transferred to UCLA, where he finally broke out—posting 41 receptions for 506 yards in 2024 and earning an invite to the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Matavao brings strong hands, a wide catch radius, and toughness at the catch point. He thrives in zone coverage, finding soft spots and using his frame to box out defenders. While he’s not a sudden athlete and lacks top-end burst, he uses physicality to create small windows and shows good timing on routes like crosses, hitches, and out patterns. He’s particularly effective in the intermediate area and has a natural feel for spacing and leverage.

Blocking remains a work in progress. He doesn’t generate much movement at the point of attack and can struggle with pad level and sustaining blocks. Still, he flashes value on split-flow and bluff concepts, where he can get outside and lead on quarterback runs. While he may never be a fantasy difference-maker, Matavao has the traits to develop into a rock-solid ‘Y’ tight end in the league. On Day 3, he’s the kind of sleeper who could quietly carve out a long NFL career.

You’ve completed the free preview of this article. To get access to all premium articles, including a full team-by-team spring news breakdown, PLUS access to our active Discord community, upgrade to a paid subscription for just $5/month or $50/year. You can join us on Patreon for premium access and even more benefits!

Don't miss our latest article showcasing all our upcoming projects that are dropping for subscribers. Stay ahead of your league—subscribe today! 🚀

---