Now that the 2024 NFL Draft has come to a close, it’s time for some review. Though these prospects haven’t stepped onto a field with their new teams yet, we wanted to identify some rookies who we believe can be steals of the draft due to where they were selected versus where we had them on PFF’s final big board.
Here are 20 of the biggest draft steals.
Despite the Bears having just four picks in this year’s draft, the first eight selections put the team in a dream scenario. Rome Odunze fell into their lap at No. 9, with the Washington product having been in the conversation with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers as the best receiver in the class.
Able to win at all three levels and do some damage after the catch, Odunze recorded a 15.5-yard average depth of target, a 4.17 yards per route run mark and a 75% contested-catch rate last season. He rounds out the Bears’ receiving room with a dynamic threat for No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams.
Bowers at No. 13 to the Raiders appeared to be an awkward fit, with Michael Mayer already a budding player for the team, but this could turn out to be a savvy move to zig while the rest of the league zags, allowing Las Vegas to frequently operate in 12 personnel.
Topping the 85th percentile in three of PFF’s most stable metrics, Bowers saw only nine contested targets in 2022 while creating easy separation against SEC linebackers and defensive backs. He consistently made splashes after the catch, with 7.6 yards after the catch per reception, and ranked second among Power Five tight ends in yards per route run.
Latu captured five of nine top spots in PFF’s key grading facets among eligible EDGE defenders and earned an elite 94.3 pass-rush grade this past season.
The medical concerns clearly didn’t scare everyone off, as Latu ended up as the first defensive player off the board — but not until the Colts came on the clock at No. 15. Latu’s pass-rushing bag is as deep as any edge prospect we’ve seen in the past few years, and he pairs that with a quick first step and great closing speed. He has the potential to be a double-digit sack guy as early as his rookie season.
Thriving in off-man and Cover 3, Mitchell dominated his MAC competition with long speed and fluidity to stick to receivers’ hips and great ball skills, forcing an incompletion on more than 40 passes between 2022 and 2023.
His slide matched a bit of a need for Philadelphia at No. 22, with Darius Slay and James Bradberry both on the wrong side of 30. The Eagles were able to add to their defensive core with a high-level athlete who brings proven production and the ceiling of an NFL shutdown cornerback.
A feisty man coverage specialist, Arnold was the target of a Lions trade-up at No. 24, marking another step in an overhaul of their secondary after the team acquired Carlton Davis and Amik Robertson earlier in the offseason.
Arnold is capable of holding up as a boundary cornerback but really thrived inside, grading out in the 90th percentile when lined up in the slot in 2023. His five interceptions this past season tied for sixth among Power Five cornerbacks.
The 11th-ranked prospect on the PFF big board and one of the few ready-made impact defenders in the class, Newton likely slid out of the first round because of the partial Jones fracture he suffered midway through his senior season — an injury that forced him to sit out much of the pre-draft process.
Over the last two seasons, The Illinois product ranked first among the nation’s interior defenders in total pressures (102) and total run stops (55).
He will reinforce an already strong position group as he joins Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen along the interior in Dan Quinn’s new-look defense.
DeJean fell out of the first round presumably because of the questions over his true position at the next level. However, his playmaking ability and coverage instincts give him a chance to succeed in any role in the secondary.
Over the last two seasons, the Iowa standout allowed just a 45.0 passer rating on throws into his coverage despite playing over 800 coverage snaps. DeJean also racked up seven interceptions and 12 forced incompletions while providing value as a punt returner.
The Eagles have now snagged both of PFF’s top-ranked cornerback prospects. Quinyon Mitchell and DeJean will form a solid young core in the secondary, while Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis take care of business up front.
A first-round-caliber player for many, Powers-Johnson might well be the best interior offensive lineman in the class. He should slot in as an instant starter at guard for the Raiders.
The Oregon product posted an elite 90.6 pass-blocking grade in 2023, allowing just one pressure while offering great movement skills to make an impact at the second level as a run-blocker in zone or gap schemes. He will provide a nasty presence on the interior of the Raiders’ offensive line.
A popular late-first-round option for teams looking for a high-ceiling receiver, Mitchell ultimately came off the board at No. 52.
After transferring to Texas, Mitchell put together a strong season and showcased his playmaking ability, racking up 11 scores on 15.4 yards per reception.
Mitchell is an easy mover with a great release package and vice grips for hands. He has the talent to slot in as a Day 1 starter next to Michael Pittman Jr., giving Anthony Richardson a versatile receiving duo to develop alongside.
Wilson was in the conversation with the second tier of receivers in this class but fell to No. 84, giving the Steelers great value on a QB-friendly target who is also one of the best separators in the class.
A season ago, 26 of Wilson’s 34 targets against single coverage were charted as “open,” leading to an absurd 99.9 receiving grade in those situations.
An easy projection to start Day 1 in the slot for Pittsburgh, Wilson should quickly establish himself as a trustworthy target who can help move the chains on key downs.
The Panthers continue to surround Bryce Young with talent, adding the versatile and explosive weapon out of Texas on Day 3. Sanders is a sure-handed option who can make plays down the field, earning a 91.3 receiving grade in contested-catch situations and not recording a drop on 67 targets in 2023. Sanders adds to a TE room that includes Tommy Tremble and Ian Thomas, giving him an inside track to see significant snaps year one.
Oregon’s Franklin is a long but slender vertical threat who ranked above the 80th percentile among college receivers in overall receiving grade (87.3), separation percentage (82.5%) and yards per route run (3.26), decimating opposing defenses on his way to a 98.5 grade against zone coverage. Despite having a smaller frame, Franklin can get stronger and has flashed at the catch point. Reuniting Bo Nix in Denver should only help ease his transition to the next level.
A popular Day 2 prospect, Dorlus is a bit of a tweener but offers a ton of juice as a pass rusher. He tallied 46 total pressures and 11 quarterback knockdowns in 2023 for Oregon, leading to a 75.7 pass-rush grade. After adding Ruke Orhorhoro and Bralen Trice on Day 2, the Falcons continued to add versatility and athleticism to their defensive front depth for new head coach Raheem Morris.
Tampa’s slide stopped at Pick No. 130, giving the Ravens two of PFF’s top-eight cornerback prospects — the other being Nate Wiggins. Earning a 78.3 coverage grade in 2023, Tampa allowed just one touchdown and forced an incompletion or interception on 16.3% of targets into his coverage. With Marlon Humphrey established as a starter, and Wiggins likely getting first crack at starting reps opposite him, Tampa offers upside as a depth piece who can develop into a solid starter down the road.
The Chiefs got great value compared to both the PFF big board and the consensus board, adding a downhill safety with a nasty mentality and some positional versatility. Hicks racked up 34 defensive stops in 2023, which ranked fifth among Power Five safeties, to go along with two interceptions and four forced incompletions. He gives defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo another chess piece to work with in the secondary.
A consistently dominant force for Georgia over the past three seasons, Van Pran has allowed just one sack and two quarterback hits across more than 1,400 pass-protection snaps. He peaked as a run blocker in 2023, posting a 76.9 grade in the Bulldogs’ multiple run scheme. With Mitch Morse out in Buffalo, there is a legitimate chance Van Pran pushes for a starting gig at center. At worst, he provides positional versatility across the interior.
A legacy pick for the Eagles, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. will follow in his father’s footsteps in Philly. PFF’s No. 4-ranked linebacker in the class, Trotter earned a two-year 91.3 overall grade and a 92.1 coverage grade over the past two years as well despite some limitations in space. He has great football intelligence and instincts to mask some of those deficiencies, and his work between the tackles could allow him to see the field in year one.
Carson brings all the intangibles necessary to succeed as a cornerback at the next level but needs to stay healthy and improve his awareness at the catch point. Carson posted an 83.6 overall grade from 2021 to 2023, displaying physicality and good play diagnosis, which led to a career-high 83.4 run-defense grade in 2023. The Cowboys desperately needed reliable depth behind DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs, and Carson checks all the boxes to develop into a solid pro.
A premier pass protector, Mahogany allowed just 14 pressures and one sack on 711 pass-blocking snaps from 2021 to 2023. He thrives in close quarters in the run game, posting a 75.0-plus run-blocking grade in both inside-zone and duo schemes, making him a seamless fit for the Lions, who want to get vertical quickly. Detroit’s interior starters seem set for now — Graham Glasgow, Kevin Zeitler and Frank Ragnow — but Mahogany is clearly the next man up if any of them were to go down.
Rice represents a 100-pick value when comparing his PFF big board rank to his draft slot. Joining a thin receiving corps in Los Angeles, Rice has a clear opportunity to contribute in a rotational role as soon as year one if he can stay healthy and adjust to the speed and physicality of the NFL game. Rice was one of Caleb Williams’ favorite targets and racked up 16 receiving touchdowns over the past two seasons. His 117.3 passer rating when targeted since 2022 ranked ninth among all college receivers in that time.
