This year’s NFL draft had a lot of unexpected moments which were very unpredictable. There were a lot of players who were predicted to go earlier but fell short. Here at DGS Blueprint, we created a list of the 5 biggest steals in this year’s draft.
1. Shedeur Sanders, Quarterback, Cleveland Browns
Expected to go 22 — Drafted with pick 144
The Browns now have five quarterbacks on their roster, but setting that aside for a moment. The real story surrounding Shedeur Sanders is, he was once considered a first-round talent but fell all the way to the fifth round. He threw for over 14,000 yards and 134 touchdowns with a 70.1% completion rate across his time at Jackson State and Colorado.
The drop in draft position was likely due to concerns about his pre-draft interviews and off-field persona, but now with a chip on his shoulder, Sanders is eager to prove the doubters wrong—and he might just do it.
2. Will Johnson, Cornerback, Arizona Cardinals
Expected to go 9 — Drafted with pick 47
Johnson was expected to be a top-10 pick out of Michigan, but the Arizona Cardinals managed to land him in the middle of the second round. A turf toe injury that nagged him during his junior season probably scared some teams off, but the numbers don’t lie in his last two years; Johnson allowed only 462 receiving yards on 33 catches with zero touchdowns allowed. Oh, and he had three pick-sixes to go with that. If he’s healthy, this could be a massive win for Arizona.
3. Mike Green, Edge, Baltimore Ravens
Expected to go 17 — Drafted with pick 59
Green dominated at Marshall, leading the nation with 17 sacks and being named Sun Belt Player of the Year. Still, questions about his size and off-field behavior caused his stock to fall. The Ravens, known for scooping up high-value defensive talent, grabbed him at No. 59.
With their track record of developing edge rushers, Green might just become the latest star in Baltimore’s defensive factory.
4. Jihaad Campbell, LB, Philadelphia Eagles
Expected to go 14 — Drafted with pick 31
Campbell was widely seen as a top-15 talent, but he slipped to the end of the first round, where the Eagles were happy to grab him.
Coming out of Alabama, he posted 117 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks in his final year. His range, athleticism, and versatility make him an ideal fit for Philly’s fast, aggressive defense. Don’t be surprised if he’s making an impact from day one.
5. Xavier Watts, Safety, Atlanta Falcons
Expected to go 48 — Drafted with pick 96
Atlanta traded up to grab Watts late in the third round, and it could end up being one of the smartest moves of the draft.
The Notre Dame safety had a monster final season, 83 tackles, six picks and took home the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation’s best defensive player. Some teams might have overthought this one, but the Falcons didn’t. Analysts are calling him a perfect fit, and he might crack the starting lineup sooner rather than later.
This year’s draft showed that you don’t have to pick early to find value. These five players may have flown under the radar, but they all have the potential to make a big impact in the NFL. Don’t be surprised if, in a few years, these are the names everyone’s talking about as the draft’s biggest steals.
