Steals of the 2024 NFL Draft

By Hayden Shapiro

Every single year we see non-first round draft picks make their mark right away. Whether it’s a good training camp that cements their spot on a roster or an injury that forces a move-up on the depth chart, players selected in the latter half of the draft find ways to have their name heard. Guys like Puka Nacua and Brock Purdy are now household names, just a season or two after their talents were passed on by the rest of the field. In this piece, I take a deeper dive into some “steals” of the draft. Guys that maybe should have gone earlier, players that have the bare bones of superstar traits, and a couple legacy selections make this one a worthwhile read. I’ll give my analysis on why the pick is a “steal” and how the draftee can make his impact felt from the get-go. Grab some popcorn, maybe a drink, and enjoy.

Steals of the 2024 NFL Draft starts now; with no other than Florida State game-wrecking EDGE, Jared Verse.

Jared Verse, EDGE Florida St

LAR: Pick 19

I’m going to say it; Jared Verse might end up being the best defender in this class. His bull-rush and run-stopping ability are special. Seriously, I’ve never seen a college player have so much success with one move. He plays with extremely heavy hands and strong, strong arms. A tandem of Verse + Byron Young is about to drive the NFC West wild. They are both so productive whenever they are on the field and get help on the interior from Kobie Turner. Verse can be a three-down lineman or an OLB. Versatile, reckless, and smart.

Johnny Newton, DT Illinois

WSH: Pick 36

Not only is Newton a first-round talent, but his skill set, and pass-rush repertoire make him ready to go from day one. He’s catapulted into a crowded Commanders front-seven room, but the way they rotate their interior lineman will allow the Fighting Illini record smasher the opportunity to make plays early on. Washington’s 3–4 defensive scheme gives Dan Quinn the flexibility to keep three DTs on the field at once. Star NT Jonathan Allen and freshly-payed DT Daron Payne will be the perfect mentors for Newton; a player with an extremely complex skill set. Newton uses finesse and speed to rush the passer, something so unique for someone of his size. His quick feet and burst allow him to shoot gaps and beat double teams, while his strong arms give him the opportunity to stop inside runs with just a bicep. I love this fit and think the value they were able to grab Newton at is remarkable. For lack of better words, he just shouldn’t have been on the board this late.

Cooper DeJean, DB Iowa

PHI: Pick 40

Philly has turned their secondary from worst to what seems like first, well at least on paper, in the span of three months. Bringing in CJ Gardner-Johnson, drafting Quinyon Mitchell in the first, then being able to snag DeJean all the way down at 40 is amazing drafting and front office work from Howie Roseman and company. DeJean can step into any position on defense, the slot, outside, and even in the box. The guy is a willing tackler and extraordinary special teamer. Iowa punted A LOT this year, and it seemed like DeJean was the first one to down the ball on every single fourth down. He also gives Philly a returner, a position they haven’t seen electricity from since DeSean Jackson. DeJean literally could have gone in the top 15, but a run on offensive players led to his fall, ultimately landing right into the laps of the Eagles.

Mike Sainristil, NB Michigan

WSH: Pick 50

Washington just continues to win this offseason. They brought in guys like Frankie Luvu (LB), drafted Jayden Daniels (QB), and then was able to snag a Bonafide stud at 50 in Mike Sainristil. Nick Saban’s mouth-watering analysis of him during the ESPN broadcast isn’t something to ignore. He stated that “(Sainristil) might be the best all-around football player in this draft.” That’s some high praise coming from one of the best, if not the best in the business. Sainristil is a true slot corner. His hip turns are so fluid, and his ball-skills are elite. Constant PBUs in the flats and physicality at the LOS make Sainristil a steal. He’s not going to high point the football or dazzle you with his speed, but his tackling ability and unreal instincts make him the best slot guy in this draft. The slot corner position is so often overlooked; meanwhile guys like Kenny Moore II and Taron Johnson have had insane impacts on their team's success and were ultimately awarded with record contracts. The ex-Wolverine is going to be a day one starter in D.C. and don’t be surprised if he gets some All-Rookie honors.

Adonai Mitchell, WR Texas

IND: Pick 52

Indianapolis went Latu (UCLA) in the first round, waited patiently until their second-round pick came around, and landed one of the most complete players in this draft. Mitchell’s size makes him a phenomenal red zone threat, and combined with his speed, make him a dangerous target down the field. We know Anthony Richardson can absolutely fire the ball down the field; now he has his deep threat in AD Mitchell. Not only is this an amazing value selection, but it just makes sense. Indy has weapons in the middle of the field in Michael Pittman Jr and Alec Pierce, and now they have a guy who can take the top off of a defense and stretch the field. This leads to more room over the middle, less congestion at the line, and even helps Jonathan Taylor in screens. The character issues have been reported, but we need to remember that they are drafting this guy to play football. This pick is getting a lot of press and deservingly so.

Ennis Rakestraw Jr, CB Mizzou

DET: Pick 61

Rakestraw Jr is an extremely physical, uber-aggressive corner who knows exactly where to be in zone and brings the toughness you want from a boundary corner. If you can’t tell, I love this guy, and quite frankly I love this fit even more. Detroit has been dead last in pass-defense two years in a row; and they’ve been torched over-top for even longer. Drafting Arnold and Rakestraw Jr, two guys who may not be the fastest, but their ball-skills and hips make them surefire outside corners in the NFL. Rakestraw Jr knocks wideouts off of their routes on what seems like every play and his physicality is match made in heaven with Dan Campbell’s scheme.

Junior Colson, LB Michigan

LAC: Pick 69

Colson is a lightning-fast middle linebacker who can cover TEs and line up anywhere in the box. He reminds me a lot of my favorite player, Frankie Luvu. Colson is an exceptional tackler and isn’t fooled by the first move. He’s following Harbaugh to LA and will be a day one starter at SoFi Stadium in 2024. I love this pick. Not to mention, Colson was my LB2 throughout the draft process, and the Chargers were able to land him in the third round.

Christian Haynes, IOL UConn

SEA: Pick 81

Losing Damien Lewis leaves a hole in the Seahawks line. Haynes can come in and patch it up right away. The UConn product is a force in the run-game and has the footwork to better his pass blocking.

Roman Wilson, WR Michigan

PIT: Pick 84

Wilson is a productive, three-down receiver who does most of his damage in the slot. He can fly, yes, but that’s not really his game. He’s got quick feet and smaller strides, leaving defensive backs confused about where he is. His speed serves him well after the catch and he has the makeup of a solid slot receiver.

Adisa Isaac, EDGE Penn St

BAL: Pick 93

I think it’s going way under the radar that Isaac was so much more productive than Chop at Penn State. Isaac has counters ready when his first move fails and has the height to knock down balls at the LOS. He needs to improve in the run-game, but this was a phenomenal value pick.

Cade Stover, TE Ohio St

HOU: Pick 123

Stover lives in the red zone. After switching from linebacker to TE, he kept his physical playstyle and strong hands. He is a solid run-blocker who can bluff blocks and make big plays at the goal line. He could be a very sneaky fantasy pickup because Stroud doesn’t really have that safety net, and that’s exactly what Stover gives you.

T.J. Tampa, CB Iowa St

BAL: Pick 130

If you’ve read my mocks, I occasionally had TJ Tampa at the top of the first round. Why he fell I don’t know, but Baltimore is getting a physical, long corner with impeccable ball skills. Tampa was one of the best defensive players in the entire Big 12 last season. He knocks wideouts off of their path at the LOS and has really, really good hands for a corner. He is a little too aggressive sometimes, but the risk of this comes with a sweet reward.

Braelon Allen, RB Wisconsin

NYJ: Pick 134

I really, really like this pick. Not only is Braelon Allen 20, yes 20-years old, but he also gives the Jets that short-yardage, goal line running back that they do not have on their roster. Allen has great vision and doesn’t turn the ball over. He won’t amaze you with his speed, but he loves contact and plows over defenders in the trenches. I could see this Breece Hall + Allen combo being like 2021 D’Andre Swift + Jamaal Williams.

Xavier Thomas, EDGE Clemson

ARI: Pick 138

I absolutely love when teams take a calculated swing on someone. What i mean by this is exactly what Xavier Thomas offers. He was a star his freshman year. Starting for Clemson, racking up TFLs and sacks, but the production just fell off a cliff. He clearly has the talent and size to be a starting EDGE in the league, but the character concerns and love for the game led to a slip. If he stayed another year in school, he low key could have been a first/second round pick. Thomas is a little bit of a project, but he has shown all the tools and has the speed/strength combo to be successful at the next level.

Jordan Magee, LB Temple

WSH: Pick 139

The sub-240 LB era is here; and I’m a fan. I think Magee is the epitome of a home run hitter. He is always looking for the big play. The ex-Owl plays so much bigger than he is and clearly has a nose for the ball. He forces fumbles and jumps routes consistently. I hadn’t scouted him all too heavily, but after watching some tape, I really like this pick.

Cedric Van Pran-Granger, C Georgia

BUF: Pick 141

Total steal, highway robbery, and then some. Van Pran-Granger was a three-year starter at UGA and brings some much-needed experience and agility to Buffalo’s line. They can start him day one or wait for him to develop a little more, but this is a great value pick and a great fit.

Jarvis Brownlee Jr, CB Louisville

TEN: Pick 146

Smiling as I write this; Jarvis Brownlee Jr might be my favorite under-the-radar corner of this draft. His hands are so strong and he’s so, so physical at the line. He is a master in press and is strong enough to make plays in the backfield. The Louisville product lacks ideal speed which leads to some coverage-blunders, but with some sitting and learning behind zone-technician L’Jarius Sneed, Brownlee Jr could become a solid starter in this league. The fit just makes sense and I hope Tennessee doesn’t throw him in too soon like they did with Farley and Molden. Brownlee Jr needs some time, but his tools and aggressive play style will help him in the long run.

Mohamed Kamara, EDGE Colorado St

MIA: Pick 158

Mo Kamara is my favorite player in the draft and here’s why. First of all, Miami sends out multiple packages on defense. They switch up rushers and design plays around their player; something that will really help Kamara’s production. At only 6’1, Kamara uses leverage and lower body strength better than anyone else in the class. The 4.5–40 time doesn’t hurt either. Colorado St produced Shaq Barrett with the exact same skill set, and now he’s a pro-bowler. Mo Kamara has the experience, leadership qualities, and raw power to do damage in the league. There is no reason the Jersey native should have fallen this far and he is going to prove why he shouldn’t have rather quickly. I am in love with this pick and the fit is picture perfect.

Malik Washington, WR Virginia

MIA: Pick 184

Miami had a really nice draft, part of the reason being that they snagged guys who should have gone higher but ultimately fell right into their laps. I had a third-round grade on Washington. He finds the soft spots in zone, has the speed to make plays after the catch, and can play inside or outside. The Virginia product can come in with four-wide or just line up in the slot, McDaniels is going to love his versatility.

Daequan Hardy, NB Penn St

BUF: Pick 219

Hardy is another true nickel/slot corner who can tackle and has fast, fast feet. He stays with his mark underneath and breaks on the ball very well in the flats. BONUS: There’s no one better for him to learn from than current Bills SLCB Taron Johnson.

Brenden Rice, WR USC
LAC: Pick 225

Really good value for a guy who was the number one pick’s top-option in college. Rice is huge and plays like it. He is dynamic with the ball in the air and is a great red zone option.

Kalen King, DB Penn St

GB: Pick 255

I feel King is best fit at the safety position and I think he could really succeed in the league. His 2023 tape wasn’t good, plain and simple, but in 2022 he looked like he was primed to be a first-round pick. He is so aggressive and is always looking for the big play, something he needs to work on, but the instincts and ball-skills are there. Teams forgot about him, or at least it seems that way, and Green Bay capitalizes on some really raw but intriguing talent.