by The common saying goes: the NFL Draft is an inexact science. The saying permeates because, year after year, players prove it’s true.
With the 2024 NFL Draft now in the rearview mirror, it’s time to unveil my 20 biggest steals of the annual three-day event. This list features a handful of players who were either selected below their draft projection or are underrated superstars that have a good shot to exceed expectations at the next level.
I tried boiling this list down to at least 15 players, but there were so many notable selections that I had to push the total to 20, which speaks volumes as to how loaded this draft class was. So let me be clear: I’m still going to leave out a few sneaky good picks! Let’s dive into it.
- Terrion Arnold (CB, Lions)
Head coach Dan Campbell and the Lions traded up to No. 24 to get their cornerback of the future in Terrion Arnold.
A Crimson Tide prospect who oozes Campbell’s gritty mentality, Arnold is one of the most elite defenders in the 2024 NFL Draft. He led all draft-eligible corners in run tackles, while his five interceptions in 2023 tied for sixth among Power Five cornerbacks.
The Lions signed cornerbacks Carlton Davis III and Amik Robertson this offseason but were still in search of a true lockdown corner. Adding a guy like Arnold, who is a day-one starter, should drastically improve a passing defense that ranked 27th in the NFL and allowed the most 20+ yard passing plays a season ago. It was arguably the biggest steal of the first round.
2. Cooper DeJean (CB, Eagles)
After selecting Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell No. 22 overall, Philadelphia continued to stack up talent in their back end by snagging Iowa do-it-all cornerback Cooper DeJean.
A 2023 first-team All-American, DeJean was a projected late first rounder before somehow sliding to No. 40 overall. That’s when general manager Howie Roseman and co. traded up and pulled the trigger on the most versatile defensive back in this class.
A true ballhawk (7 interceptions since 2022), DeJean allowed a stellar 52.8 passer rating when targeted over his three years in Iowa City. The Hawkeye also thrived in slot coverage, allowing just 0.33 yards per coverage snap since 2021, which was the best in the FBS over that span.
DeJean should help further solidify a below-average pass defense that ranked 31st in the league in pass defense a year ago. He is a serviceable plug-and-play starter — most likely at safety/nickel — who should mesh well in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s scheme and can be a very impactful return specialist as well.
3. Payton Wilson (LB, Steelers)
If you strip away Payton Wilson’s medical history surrounding injuries to his shoulders and knees, he is a surefire first-round talent and the best linebacker in this draft.
The Butkus Award winner is the total package and is a sideline-to-sideline defender that Pittsburgh needs at the linebacker position. Wilson, who says that he idolized Bill Cowher growing up, excels in coverage, as a pass-rusher, and in run defense. When dropped back, his 26 coverage stops led FBS linebackers in 2023 while displaying a 0-3 TD/INT ratio. Wilson was also a force as a blitzer, accumulating six sacks through 12 games. If that’s not enough, the NC State product accumulated 402 tackles in college and paced all linebackers with a 4.43 40 at the combine — a few things that his injury history should not overshadow.
If the medicals check out, the Steelers might just have snatched one of, if not the steal of the draft at No. 98 overall.
4. Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB, Saints)
It can be strongly argued that McKinstry was the best cornerback in college football over the past two seasons and was considered a likely first-round selection. That’s before the Nick Saban product somehow fell into New Orleans’ lap at No. 41 overall after the Saints traded up with Green Bay to go get him.
A two-time first-team All-American, McKinstry led all FBS cornerbacks by allowing a reception per every 25.7 coverage snaps. He also only surrendered three touchdowns and missed nine tackles in his illustrious college career.
The pick gives the Saints a lethal McKinstry-Marshon Lattimore cornerback duo for the foreseeable future.
5. Zach Frazier (C, Steelers)
The Pittsburgh Steelers had an absolute dynamite draft in 2024. After selecting Washington offensive lineman Troy Faunatu in the first round, the Steelers continued to bolster the trenches by picking up arguably the best center in this draft class in Zach Frazier, who some think will be their franchise guy.
A two-time All-Big 12 selection and four-time West Virginia state wrestling champion in high school, Frazier tallied 198 knockdown blocks and only allowed five sacks in 46-career starts at West Virginia. While he did suffer a broken leg in the Mountaineers’ final game of the 2023 season (and dragged himself off the field to save clock), he will reportedly be good to go by the time training camp rolls around.
The Steelers had a glaring need at center, so Frazier, who had 37 straight starts at the position in the tail end of his college career, will be a plug-and-play starter right away and should thrive as a run-blocker in Arthur Smith’s zone running scheme. Perhaps Pittsburgh’s best selection of the draft from a round-value standpoint.
6. Kinglsey Suamataia (OT, Chiefs)
Protecting All-world quarterback Patrick Mahomes is paramount and the Chiefs might have just found a permanent blindside blocker in Suamataia.
After being projected as an early-second round pick, the BYU product fell all the way to the end of the round at pick No. 63. While playing both left and right tackle in his two seasons at BYU, Suamataia only yielded 24 total pressures and two sacks across 701 pass-blocking snaps.
While there are question marks as to whether or not he will be an immediate starter at the next level, Suamataia is a promising, young star who gives Kansas City more depth in the trenches. He’s a fast, physical specimen who can mold into a Pro Bowl caliber player in the ensuing years.
7. Ladd McConkey (WR, Chargers)
Jim Harbaugh views his beloved offensive linemen as “weapons,” so he got the best one in the draft in Joe Alt in the first round. However, the Chargers needed to give quarterback Justin Herbert more weapons at wide receiver sooner or later, and that’s exactly what we saw at pick 34.
McConkey is a better pass catcher than most of his college numbers would suggest and is one of, if not the best best route runner in this class. He will most likely work out of the slot early in his career, but is a threat anywhere on the perimeter, as evidenced by his 3.26 yards per route run, which ranks fourth among wide receivers in the 2024 draft. One of the more underrated facets of McConkey’s game is his elusiveness and yards-after-contact, demonstrated by a career 6.6 YAC-per-reception.
The Bulldog instantly adds more potency to a Los Angeles wide receiver room that includes youngsters Quentin Johnston and Josh Palmer, and has the potential to emerge as WR1 on the depth chart by the end of OTA’s.
8. Jackson Powers-Johnson (C/OG, Raiders)
The 2023 Rimington Trophy winner as the nation’s top center has made huge strides and developed into one of the best offensive linemen in the country over the past three seasons. An outstanding pass blocker, Powers-Johnson surrendered just three pressures and zero sacks across 678 pass-blocking snaps since 2022 per Pro Football Focus.
Powers-Johnson also had 457 career snaps at guard and five at left tackle to demonstrate his versatility to play anywhere in the NFL. With that being said, after signing center Cody Whitehair in free agency, Las Vegas may very likely slot him in at guard early on — a position that was a big need for the Raiders ahead of the draft.
Regardless of where he lines up, Powers-Johnson’s eye-popping production and overall upside makes him a huge get for Antonio Pierce and co. The Raiders got him as an early second, but he possesses first-round upside.
9. Mike Sainristil (CB, Commanders)
Washington quietly pieced together a solid draft and Sainristil is one of the top underrated prospects that fell into their lap in the second round.
A wide receiver-turned-cornerback at Michigan, Sainristil tied for second in the country with six interceptions in 2023 while being name a second-team All-American. The Wolverine also only allowed 29 catches on 50 targets while posting a quality 71.8 passer rating when targeted. He is a technical tackler as well, only missing 14 in his college career.
The best slot cornerback in this draft, Sainristil fills a pressing need for a Commanders defense that was one of the worst units in EPA allowed per slot target in 2023 per Pro Football Focus. Even for a smaller DB (5’9”, 182), Sainristil is a physical player who will be a name to know in the NFL a few years down the road.
10. Jalen McMillan (WR, Buccaneers)
McMillan may be one of the best kept secrets of the draft and Tampa got him at pick No. 92 in the third round.
While Washington teammate Rome Odunze was taken No. 9 overall by Chicago, McMillan had more receptions and touchdowns than him in 2022. The Husky wideout’s production took a dip this past season due to a knee injury, but he still posted 45 catches and 559 receiving yards. In 2022, his 403 YAC and 54 first downs both ranked in the top-4 among draft-eligible receivers.
Don’t let the injury fool you, McMillan is an awesome prospect who can make an early impact at the next level. A serious vertical threat who will most likely work out of the slot early on in his career, McMillan gets the opportunity to grow and develop behind veteran Chris Godwin and future Hall of Famer Mike Evans. He is a star in the making and an excellent value pick for the Bucs.
11. Adisa Isaac (EDGE, Ravens)
This pick screams Baltimore Ravens doesn’t it?
A speed rusher who stands at 6-foot-4, 247 pounds, Adisa Isaac posted 13 sacks, 69 quarterback pressures, and an impressive 13.1% pass-rush win rate since 2022 — all better numbers than first-round pick and Penn State teammate Chop Robinson.
After the Ravens lost Jadeveon Clowney in the offseason, Isaac should mesh perfectly into that rotation of edge rushers that includes former Nittany Lion teammate Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy, and David Ojabo. He’s the exact type of player that John Harbaugh wants chasing down opposing quarterbacks — gritty, physical, and freakishly athletic. Baltimore got a steal at No. 93 overall.
12. Blake Corum (RB, Rams)
The offensive MVP of the national champion Michigan Wolverines, Corum is the total package at the tailback position.
While he is a smaller back (5-foot-8), Corum’s compact frame and low center of gravity makes it challenging for defenders to tackle him in open space. He led the nation and set Michigan’s single-season record with 27 rushing touchdowns last season to go along with 22 breakaway runs of 15+ yards.
For a super elusive running back that can carry the load and do anything that is asked of him, Corum gives the Rams an electric one-two punch in the backfield along with 2023 breakout star Kyren Williams, who missed 12 games over the past two seasons.
13. Jaylen Wright (RB, Dolphins)
One of my most underrated draft prospects in this class, the Miami Dolphins selected Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright No. 120 overall.
Mike McDaniels loves his speed and just got one of the fastest and most explosive running backs of this entire draft. Wright clocked in at 4.38 in the 40 and ranked second in the FBS with 7.4 yards-per-carry in 2023.
Similar to Josh Heupel’s offense at Tennessee, Miami runs a spread offense that benefits its running backs by allowing them to get into open space more frequently. That’s a recipe to success for Wright, who led the FBS with 70+ yard runs in 2023 and is a home-run threat every time he touches the ball. He has the extra gear that few players have at his position and there’s a reason why he was the fifth running back taken. I absolutely love this fit.
14. Roman Wilson (WR, Steelers)
Pittsburgh has a habit of finding diamonds in the ruff at the wide receiver position in the later rounds and the former Michigan Wolverine may just be the next prolific one playing in Steel City.
Wilson brings great speed to the table as a slot receiver (4.44 40) and had a breakout 2023 campaign behind 41 catches and an elite 140.9 QBR when targeted.
Pittsburgh traded Diontae Johnson to Carolina, making George Pickens the consensus WR1. Quez Watkins, Calvin Austin III, and Van Jefferson are the next best options through the air, but they all lack consistent production. Wilson gives the Steelers a nice slot receiver to compliment Pickens’ downfield prowess.
15. Isaac Guerendo (RB, 49ers)
The underrated talent level, off-the-charts athleticism and overall fit into Kyle Shanahan’s offensive scheme makes Guerendo and the 49ers a perfect marriage.
Despite never being a featured back in college, Guerendo may be the best change-of-pace running back in this draft. In 2023, Guerendo logged 810 rushing yards and 11 trips to the paint while splitting carries with Jawhar Jordan. The former Louisville tailback also posted the fastest 40 time (4.33) among players at his position at the Combine, while his 9.99/10 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) ranks 2nd out of 1,745 running backs from 1987-2024.
Guerendo is a uniquely gifted athlete that can do it all — run, catch, and block — and will be a sneaky good weapon in San Francisco’s elite offense.
16. Tykee Smith (S, Buccaneers)
Tampa Bay signed safety Jordan Whitehead to a two-year deal to start opposite of All-Pro Antoine Winfield Jr., but selecting Tykee Smith at No. 89 overall is a great value.
One of the most versatile defenders in the draft, Smith can play outside corner, slot corner, and even linebacker, and will most likely line up as a nickelback early on in his career. While an ACL tear in 2021 was a big reason for his slide, Smith was a production machine in his final two seasons in Athens, Ga. In 2023, the Bulldog led the team in tackles (70), tackles for loss (8.5) and interceptions (4) while earning second-team All-SEC honors.
Those Georgia boys are built different and Tampa got one of their ultra-talented DBs on Friday night.
17. Jermaine Burton (WR, Bengals)
Character flaws likely scared some teams away from him, but the Cincinnati Bengals opted to select Alabama wideout Jermaine Burton at No. 80 overall.
Burton is a terrific vertical threat who has a physical frame and is a contested-catch maven. His 20.5 yards-per-catch led the SEC and ranked sixth in the FBS while his 20.2 average depth of target (ADOT) ranks first among draft-eligible receivers. Burton also did not drop a single pass in 2023, demonstrating his consistency as a pass catcher.
Burton’s raw potential and tools should gel with Cincinnati’s offense and make him a serviceable deep-ball threat for quarterback Joe Burrow. For a receiver who was slightly overlooked and underrated relative to his talent level, the Bengals got a great weapon in the middle of the third. He’s an ideal Tyler Boyd replacement.
18. Javon Baker (WR, Patriots)
New England invested in three pass catchers this draft with Baker arguably being the best of them all.
A 2023 first-team All-Big 12 selection, Baker’s 21.9 yards-per-catch ranked second in the nation an his 7.2 YAC-per-reception ranks third in the class. What makes Baker so dangerous is his vertical ability, as the UCF Knight had 15 deep catches (3rd in FBS) and 574 deep yards (8th in FBS) this past season.
For a baller who has great physical traits and strong hands, Baker is the type of receiver who will translate well to the modern NFL and can potentially emerge as an impactful WR2 or WR3 for the Pats early on in his career.
19. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (LB, Eagles)
The Eagles have had one heck of a draft and selecting a player as well-rounded as Jeremiah Trotter Jr. in the fifth round exemplifies that.
Trotter Jr., who’s father, Jeremiah Sr., was an All-Pro for Philly in the early 2000s, was a first-team All-American and Butkus Award finalist in 2023. The Clemson Tiger was a production machine over the past two seasons, racking up 104 tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, and four interceptions.
While it may take some time for Trotter Jr. to blossom into an elite NFL linebacker, his pedigree and physicality should translate well to Vic Fangio’s defense. It’s a pick that Eagles fans adore and he could make an early impact in run support and blitzing as a rookie.
20. Zak Zinter (OG, Browns)
The fourth Michigan player on this list, Zinter could quietly become a Pro-Bowl caliber player for Cleveland in the future if the medical concerns fade away.
Despite suffering a season-ending broken leg against Ohio State in the final game of the 2023 regular season, Zinter was one of the best guards in college football. Across 677 pass-blocking snaps in his career, Zinter allowed just 14 quarterback pressures and two sacks.
Zinter adds quality depth to an already elite Cleveland offensive front and will wait his turn behind Pro Bowl guards Joel Bitino and Wyatt Teller before potentially breaking out as a pro. Transitioning him to center could always be an option too. People forget that Zinter was a first round talent before the leg injury.
