Biggest reaches from Day 3 of NFL Draft: Did teams get too aggressive with RBs?

The 2025 NFL Draft concluded on Saturday. We already looked at some of the best picks from Rounds 4-7, so let's take a look at some of the biggest reaches from Saturday's picks.

New York Jets select WR Arian Smith (No. 110 overall)

Smith has tremendous speed and can be an electrifying player when he has the football in his hands. There is potential there for an exciting addition to the Jets offense.

The problem is that he developed a knack for having some ugly drops in college and does not have the best hands for a wide receiver. The NFL is not really full of players who had extensive drop issues in college that suddenly figured it all out when they reached the highest level. 

Intriguing speed. Concerning hands. 

You might be able to look past that as a lottery ticket pick later on Day 3. But the top of the fourth round is a bit risky. 

Carolina Panthers select RB Trevor Etienne (No. 114 overall)

Etienne is a fine prospect, and the value here is probably fine in a vacuum. But it is a matter of fit when it comes to the Panthers taking him, mostly because they have already invested so many resources into the position. 

They already re-signed Chubba Hubbard to a long-term contract and signed Rico Dowdle in free agency. 

There is already some good depth here, and the Panthers had significant needs elsewhere on the roster.

It was a deep draft for running backs, and any additional playmakers will help quarterback Bryce Young, but this seemed like a bit of a reach for Carolina.

Houston Texans select RB Woody Marks (No. 116 overall)

There is a strong argument to be made for the Texans taking Marks. There really is. They needed running back depth. This is a good running back class. When the talent is there, take it. But the fact that this was such a good running back class does bring into question whether it was worth it for the Texans to trade up as far as they did to select Marks, giving up a third-round pick next season in the process. That is a steep price to pay, especially when the Texans still have big issues along their offensive line. Marks could be a very good player. The Texans need him to be for the price they paid to get him. 

Cincinnati Bengals select LB Barrett Carter (No. 119 overall)

Another situation where you question the position more than the player.

The Bengals desperately need to upgrade their defense after finishing as one of the worst defenses in the league the past two seasons, wasting a great offense in the process.

While Carter is some additional help on the defensive side of the ball, he was their second linebacker pick of the draft and also comes in a little undersized. The Bengals also did not really do much to address their secondary, and a couple of really intriguing defensive back prospects went off the board shortly after Carter was picked. With only six picks in this year's class, this might have been a good spot to address the secondary. Especially after taking a linebacker earlier in the draft. 

San Francisco 49ers select RB Jordan James (No. 147 overall)

The 49ers roster is not as deep as it was a few years ago, especially after getting gutted in free agency. They have needs all over the lineup, but running back did not really seem to be a pressing one with Christian McCaffrey and Isaac Guerendo already on the roster. Jordan James might end up producing if he gets the opportunity, but the 49ers have been able to pump out production from the position no matter who they plug in there.