NFL’s Biggest Draft Steals of 2024: Rookies Outperforming Their Draft Position

The NFL’s Biggest Draft Steals of 2024, Draft class is already making waves across the league, but while first-round picks grab headlines, the real value emerges from late-round selections and undrafted free agents who are outperforming their draft slots. After analyzing every rookie’s performance through Week 7, we’ve identified the eight most impactful draft steals who are proving to be franchise-changing values. These aren’t just pleasant surprises—they’re players who should have gone multiple rounds earlier based on their immediate NFL production.

What Makes a True Draft Steal?

Before revealing our selections, let’s establish the criteria:

• Selected in Round 3 or later (or undrafted)

• Currently starting or playing starter-level snaps

• Outperforming players drafted earlier at their position

• Providing surplus value versus draft capital invested

According to scouting data from NFL Newsz, true draft steals typically share these traits:

• 68% were team captains in college

• 82% tested in top-25 percentile athletically for their position

• 91% played multiple positions/special teams in college

1. Jaylen Wright, RB, Miami Dolphins (Round 4, Pick 120)

Why He’s a Steal:

• 6.3 yards per carry (leads all qualified RBs)

• 3 touchdowns on just 48 carries

• Perfect fit for Miami’s outside zone scheme

Draft Day Crime: 12 RBs drafted earlier, including 3 who are already backups

Stat That Stuns: His 19.7% broken tackle rate would lead NFL if qualified

2. Javon Baker, WR, New England Patriots (Round 4, Pick 110)

Breakout Evidence:

• Team-leading 387 receiving yards

• 18.4 yards per reception (3rd among rookies)

• 9 catches of 20+ yards

Scouting Miss: 21 WRs drafted before Baker, including 7 with <100 yards

Advanced Metric: Leads all rookies in yards per route run (2.81)

3. Mason McCormick, G, Pittsburgh Steelers (Round 4, Pick 119)

O-Line Savior:

• 0 sacks allowed in 217 pass blocks

• Key to Steelers’ improved run game (4.8 YPC when running left)

• Played every offensive snap since Week 3

Draft Fall: Projected as 2nd-rounder, fell due to small-school bias

Pro Comparison: Similar rookie year to All-Pro Quenton Nelson

4. Cedric Gray, LB, Tennessee Titans (Round 4, Pick 106)

Defensive Catalyst:

• 54 tackles (leads all rookies)

• 2 forced fumbles

• Calling defensive signals for top-10 unit

Combine Snub: 4.52 40-time at pro day would’ve been LB best at Combine

Impact Play: 3rd-down stop percentage (82%) leads all LBs

5. Jaden Hicks, S, Kansas City Chiefs (Round 4, Pick 131)

Versatile Weapon:

• 2 INTs, 1 sack, 1 TD

• Playing 89% of defensive snaps

• Allowing 4.1 yards per target (best among rookie DBs)

Draft Slide: Fell due to perceived coverage limitations (since disproven)

Chiefs Value: Highest-graded rookie safety since 2018 per PFF

6. Tanner McLachlan, TE, Cincinnati Bengals (Round 6, Pick 194)

Revelation:

• 3 TDs on 18 catches

• 84.6% catch rate

• Key red zone weapon for Burrow

Athletic Oversight: 9.65 RAS score (elite TE athleticism)

Historical Context: Most productive rookie TE drafted this late since 2009

7. Brennan Jackson, EDGE, Los Angeles Rams (Round 5, Pick 154)

Pass Rush Spark:

• 4 sacks (T-2nd among rookies)

• 15 QB pressures

• Playing 65% of defensive snaps

Draft Crime: 23 edge rushers drafted earlier, 18 with fewer pressures

Efficiency Metric: Pressure on 14.7% of pass rushes (higher than Will Anderson Jr.)

8. Jowon Briggs, DT, Cleveland Browns (Round 7, Pick 243)

Run-Stuffing Phenom:

• 2.3 yards per carry allowed when engaged

• 12 run stops (T-5th among DTs)

• Playing 58% of defensive snaps

Analytical Gem: 93.4 run defense grade leads all rookie D-linemen

Browns Value: Best 7th-round DT find since 2012

Why These Players Were Overlooked

Combine/Pro Day Factors

4 of 8 didn’t receive Combine invites
3 tested poorly in specific drills that overshadowed game tape

College Program Bias

5 played at non-Power 5 schools
2 were buried on depth charts behind NFL draft picks

Age Concerns

3 were 24+ year old rookies
1 had injury history that scared teams

Coaches & Scouts Sound Off

Anonymous quotes from NFL personnel:

“Wright was our RB3 on the board. Still can’t believe he lasted to Day 3.” — AFC South Scout

“Baker’s route-running was NFL-ready. The production matched the tape.” — NFC East WR Coach

*”McCormick is the steal of the draft. Already a top-15 guard.”* — AFC North OL Coach

Fantasy & Betting Implications

Waiver Wire Targets

• Jaylen Wright (RB2 with RB1 upside if Mostert misses time)

• Javon Baker (WR3 with weekly flex appeal)

Prop Bet Opportunities

• Tanner McLachlan OVER 2.5 receptions (hit in 4 of last 5)

• Cedric Gray OVER 7.5 tackles (averaging 8.2 per game)

Historical Precedent for Late-Round Success

Studying past draft steals shows these players could have bright futures NFL’s Biggest Draft Steals of 2024:

2025 Impact Projections

Where these steals could rank at their positions next year:

• Jaylen Wright: Top-15 RB

• Javon Baker: Top-30 WR

• Mason McCormick: Top-10 G

• Cedric Gray: Top-20 LB

How to Identify Future Draft Steals

Scouts recommend looking for:

1. College Production (Did they dominate their competition?)

2. Athletic Testing (Are there untapped physical tools?)

3. Scheme Fit (Does their skillset match their NFL team’s system?)

4. Football IQ (How quickly do they learn NFL concepts?)

Why This Matters for NFL Teams

Finding draft steals:

• Creates cap flexibility to spend elsewhere

• Extends championship windows with cheap talent

• Builds organizational depth for injury contingencies

• Reflects superior scouting compared to competitors

Read More: NFL’s Most Improved Players of 2024: 7 Stunning Breakouts Redefining Their Careers

Final Verdict: Teams That Won the 2024 Draft

NFL’s Biggest Draft Steals of 2024, While the Bears (Caleb Williams) and Patriots (Drake Maye) made splashy first-round picks, these eight franchises found franchise-altering value in the draft’s later rounds. Their scouting departments deserve as much credit as their coaching staffs for developing this talent so quickly.

For more draft analysis and rookie development tracking, bookmark NFL Newsz—your premier source for NFL insights beyond the box score.

Which 2024 draft steal has impressed you most? Did we miss any hidden gems? Let us know in the comments!