Day 3 of the NFL draft isn't when you look for players who will play a role right away. But in most cases, at least Rounds 4 and 5 are filled with talented players who could have been taken earlier if not for a clear deficiency in at least one area.
With that said, year after year we find that this is where solid roster depth is made, and immediate starters pop up. In a league of attrition, many of these guys are just an injury away from significant playing time.
After taking a look at 2017 early-impact rookies on Day 1 and Day 2, here's a quick look at some names from Rounds 4-7 who could have early roles. I've added notes on some others as well.
Mel Kiper's draft grades | Todd McShay's favorite picks
Offense
Samaje Perine, RB, Washington Redskins
Pick: No. 114 (Fourth round)
Yes, it's a crowded running back room in Washington, where undrafted rookie Rob Kelley took the reins in 2016 and finished as the lead back. Matt Jones and Chris Thompson each saw time, too. But I think the physical Perine could challenge Kelley for the starting spot for a team that simply has to trust the run more. The Redskins passed on 62.4 percent of plays, which was the eighth highest in the NFL, and their 379 total rushes ranked 27th. And after losing wide receivers DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon in free agency and offensive coordinator Sean McVay to a head-coaching job in Los Angeles, the offense could look significantly different.
Enter Perine, who rushed for 4,122 yards and 49 touchdowns in three seasons at Oklahoma. He dropped in the draft because of his top-end speed -- he ran a 4.65 40 at 5-foot-11 and 233 pounds at the combine -- but his punishing running style stands out. He just bullies defenders, and his 30 reps of 225 pounds in the bench press were the most of any back at the combine. At the very least, he could be a third-down back because he's not afraid to stick his nose in and protect the QB.
Jordan Leggett, TE, New York Jets
Pick: No. 150 (Fifth round)
I highlighted O.J. Howard among the first-round picks, and Leggett is another tight end who should play early -- because the Jets don't have much else. That's why I thought New York might take Howard at No. 6 overall. Austin Seferian-Jenkins is atop the depth chart, but he's suspended for the first two games of the season.
Leggett is more of a pass-catcher than a blocker, but at 6-5 and 258 pounds, he has some upside. He had 46 catches and seven touchdowns at Clemson last season, and he was one of the stars of the Tigers' national championship game win.
Jeremy McNichols, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pick: No. 162 (Fifth round)
Doug Martin had a disastrous 2016 season, averaging 2.9 yards per carry in eight games, and he'll be suspended for four games to start the season. Is he still the No. 1 back in Tampa? Veteran Jacquizz Rodgers emerged, but the 5-6 back averages fewer than 4.0 yards per carry in his career. Charles Sims missed nine games, and undrafted rookie Peyton Barber saw time, too.
I think McNichols can help somewhere. The converted receiver has great hands and had 88 catches and 10 receiving touchdowns over the past two seasons at Boise State. Could he help on third downs? QB Jameis Winston hasn't been shy about using running backs as receivers -- a healthy Sims had 51 catches in 2015. Two cautions on McNichols, however: He had five fumbles last season, and he had surgery to fix a torn labrum earlier this year and didn't work out at the combine. That could stunt his progress.
Next up
I wouldn't be surprised if fourth-round pick Nico Siragusa or fifth-round pick Jermaine Eluemunor started at left guard for the Ravens this season.
I'd like to see the Falcons carve out a role for fifth-round pick Eric Saubert. The tight end caught 183 passes in his career at Drake.
The Cardinals took T.J. Logan, my top-ranked kick returner, in Round 6.
Want instant impact? Pittsburgh took the draft's best long-snapper, Colin Holba, in Round 6.
Defense
Vince Biegel, OLB, Green Bay Packers
Pick: No. 108 (Fourth round)
How could you not love a Packer who was named after Vince Lombardi? Biegel saw a lot of time at Wisconsin, starting 40 games with 21.5 sacks and 39.5 tackles for loss. Green Bay is looking for outside linebackers to add to its rotation after Julius Peppers and Datone Jones departed in free agency, and Biegel could add some pass-rush skills.
Damontae Kazee, CB, Atlanta Falcons
Pick: No. 149 (Fifth round)
Kazee has neither top-end speed (4.54 40 at the combine) nor size (5-10, 184), but he does have ball skills. He catches interceptions like a receiver -- he had 15 in the past two seasons at San Diego State. I said before the draft that I think he'll have a better career than some of the guys drafted in the second round. I still believe that. He'll be a solid slot corner for the Falcons, who hit a home run in last year's draft with Deion Jones and Keanu Neal and found a hidden gem in undrafted corner Brian Poole, who ended up as the nickelback.
Kazee will help in the slot in Atlanta, even if there are few open spots. And he should find a role on special teams, too.
Anthony Walker Jr., LB, Indianapolis Colts
Pick: No. 161 (Fifth round)
New Colts general manager Chris Ballard has made the defense a priority this offseason -- and rightfully so -- with smart, low-cost free-agent signings at outside linebacker (Jabaal Sheard and John Simon) while using a first-round pick on a safety (Malik Hooker) and Day 2 picks on a corner (Quincy Wilson) and pass-rusher (Tarrell Basham).
At least one inside linebacker spot is open, however, with D'Qwell Jackson gone and new signing Sean Spence likely to take the other spot. Could Walker, who had 20.5 tackles for loss at Northwestern in 2015, compete there? He is my seventh-ranked inside linebacker in the class, a sound tackler with good measurables (6-1, 238). Walker should be a menace on kickoffs and punts.
Next up
Linebacker Blair Brown, a fifth-round pick, has the talent to make the Jaguars' roster and contribute.
Defensive tackle Elijah Qualls dropped to Round 6, but he has the talent and size (6-1, 313) to develop into a future starter for the Eagles.
I mentioned Jordan Willis on Wednesday, but the Bengals got another pass-rusher in Round 4: Carl Lawson has loads of potential, and he was a five-star recruit out of high school. He had a few injury issues at Auburn.