Biggest steal for all teams in last 5 years - ESPN Insider

[iowajerms]

Biggest NFL draft steals for every team
By Steve Muench and Kevin Weidl

Some NFL teams go after positions of need and draft a second-round star, as the Dolphins did with Jarvis Landry. Others simply have the good fortune of a fourth-round insurance pick blossoming into a franchise QB, like the Redskins with Kirk Cousins.

Here are the biggest draft steals of the past five years, with Steve Muench tackling the AFC teams and Kevin Weidl evaluating the NFC teams.

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills
Georgia OT Cordy Glenn: 2012 second round (41st overall)

There's a reason teams value left tackles so much. Finding one with the length and foot speed to match up with the best edge rushers in the league, as well as the size and power to create seams in the running game, outside the first round is no easy task. As such, the Bills did well to land Glenn nine picks into the second round. He stepped into the left tackle spot in Week 9 of his rookie season, and he has started there every game since. He made great strides in pass protection last year, and he has continued to progress to the point that he is one of the best pass-blockers in the league, so it's no surprise the Bills placed the franchise tag on him.

Miami Dolphins
LSU WR Jarvis Landry: 2014 second round (63rd overall)

The 12th receiver taken in the 2014 draft, Landry has made teams pay for passing on him. He caught 110 passes for 1,157 yards and four touchdowns last season. He's a crafty route runner who knows how to get open underneath, catches the ball well and produces after the catch. He also has flashed big-play ability as a return man. The depth of the 2014 draft class and an underwhelming 40 time caused Landry to fall, but looking back, it's hard to believe players such as Cody Latimer out of Indiana and Paul Richardson out of Colorado were drafted ahead of him.

New England Patriots
Southern Miss LB Jamie Collins: 2013 second round (52nd overall)

Crafty Denver tight end Owen Daniels admittedly got the better of Collins in the AFC Championship Game last year, but make no mistake about it: Collins is a difference-maker and was a steal at 52nd overall. He needs to continue to work on his technique and discipline, but he has the athletic ability to match up in coverage when his technique is sound. He also flashes the ability to play the ball. He's a disruptive pass-rusher with the length and speed to threaten off the edge, as well as the quick hands and instincts to win between the tackles. Finally, he's a rangy run-defender with above-average stopping power.

New York Jets
Temple DE Muhammad Wilkerson: 2011 first round (30th overall)

The Jets just haven't done a good enough job of drafting outside the first round over the past five years, but they did well to get Wilkerson at 30th overall in 2011. His athletic ability, size and length make him a tough matchup for offensive tackles, while his quickness and violent hands make him a tough matchup for interior offensive linemen. His ability to line up on the inside or the outside gives his defensive coordinator the ability to match one of his strongest players against one of the offensive line's weakest players. Finally, he recorded 12 sacks last season, and he's as effective rushing the passer as he is defending the run.

 

[iowajerms]

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens
Missouri Southern NT Brandon Williams: 2013 third round (94th overall)

Baltimore did an excellent job of recognizing value and fit when it took Williams at the end of the third round. His Division II Missouri Southern experience likely played a role in Williams' lasting as long as he did, but he graded out as the 65th overall player on our board that year because a strong showing at the Senior Bowl eased concerns about the level of competition. Plus, he dominated on tape. He has exceeded even our expectations and developed into one of the NFL's best interior defensive linemen. He's an excellent run-stuffer and powerful interior pass-rusher with 30 starts over the past two seasons. His size, strength and physicality make him a perfect fit for Baltimore's scheme and locker room.

Cincinnati Bengals
Boise State S George Iloka: 2012 fifth round (167th overall)

Iloka missed four games, and his production dipped in 2015. The Bengals still signed him to a five-year deal this offseason -- and for good reason. At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, he's a physical presence who flashes above-average stopping power both after the catch and defending the run. Although he doesn't have great change-of-direction skills, he's instinctive, has long arms and covers more ground than you'd think, based on his timed top-end speed. He also has the strong hands to rip the ball out of receivers' hands in 50-50 situations and develop into a playmaker. Andy Dalton would have been the easy choice for a draft steal here, but he got dinged for his playoff résumé and went 35th overall, while Iloka went 167th overall.

Cleveland Browns
Baylor WR Josh Gordon: 2012 second round (supplemental draft)

This is a controversial choice, considering the league suspended Gordon for 10 games in 2014 and the entire 2015 season and recently denied his petition for reinstatement. That said, the Browns surrendered their 2013 second-round pick (39th overall) to take Gordon in the 2012 supplemental draft, and they haven't drafted a player who has made anywhere near the kind of impact he has when he has been on the field. He caught 87 passes for 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns in 14 games in 2013. His blend of size and speed makes him one of the toughest one-on-one matchups. Offensive guard Joel Bitonio and former wide receiver Travis Benjamin are good players who were in the running, but Gordon is on another level.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Michigan State RB Le'Veon Bell: 2013 second round (48th overall)

A running back has to be a difference-maker in the passing game as well as the running game, and be one of the best overall players in the league to be a steal in the second round. Bell checks all the boxes. At 6-foot-1, 230 pounds, he's instinctive, he has excellent foot speed for his size, he's powerful, and he accelerates well once he locates a seam. He flashed the ability to develop into a productive receiver coming out of Michigan State, and he hasn't disappointed, as he caught 83 passes for 854 yards in 2014. He runs good routes, he has strong hands, and he's productive after the catch. A two-game suspension and season-ending knee injury derailed his 2015 season, but he's one of the best in the league when healthy.

 

[iowajerms]

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans
Arkansas State OT Derek Newton: 2011 seventh round (214th overall)

This is a tough one. There's a strong argument that getting J.J. Watt 11th overall in 2011 was a steal, while Newton isn't a great pass-blocker and it's unlikely he'll ever develop into an elite right tackle. But he's still the pick because he was taken with the 11th pick in the seventh round of the 2011 draft, and he has gone on to start 62 games the past four seasons. He's an effective run-blocker who does a nice job creating creases for the Texans' backs and does an adequate job of holding up in pass protection, for the most part. He also has shown he's versatile enough to play guard.

Indianapolis Colts
Florida International WR T.Y. Hilton: 2012 third round (92nd overall)

Hilton's inconsistent hands have been frustrating at times, and he's undersized, but his production has been impressive. He finished each of the past three seasons with more than 1,000 yards receiving, and last season he did so without QB Andrew Luck in the lineup for much of the season. He has developed into an above-average route runner with the burst to separate and produce after the catch. Hilton also has the second gear to take the top off the coverage and the body control to adjust to downfield passes.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Penn State WR Allen Robinson: 2014 second round (61st overall)

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Robinson tied for the league lead in receiving touchdowns (14), finished fourth in yards per catch (17.5) and finished sixth in receiving yards (1,400) last season. He was a good catch for the Jags, as Robinson lasted until late in the second round, and 10 receivers were drafted ahead of him. He has earned the confidence of quarterback Blake Bortles by consistently coming down with the ball in jump ball and 50-50 situations. He also plays faster than his timed top-end speed and shows the ability to take the top off the coverage.

Tennessee Titans
USC DT Jurrell Casey: 2011 third round (77th overall)

Casey, who has started 77 games, has shown he's effective lining up on the inside in a base four-man front and on the outside in a base three-man front. He didn't end up making the tackle, but watching him try to chase down Jets receiver Brandon Marshall on a screen pass that went 69 yards for a touchdown last season tells you everything you need to know about Casey. It speaks to his intelligence, as he recognized no one was covering Marshall and started to drop. The way he dropped, chased and almost made the play speaks to his athletic ability. Finally, the effort with which he chases Marshall isn't unique to that play, either.

 

[iowajerms]

AFC WEST

Denver Broncos
Cincinnati DL Derek Wolfe: 2012 second round (36th overall)

Wolfe has missed time as a result of illness in 2013 and a suspension in 2015, but he's an underrated member of Denver's outstanding defense who has started since the first game of his rookie season. He's an effective hand fighter who does a good job controlling blockers as a run-defender and flashes the ability to overwhelm offensive linemen as an interior pass-rusher. There's also a lot to like about his effort chasing the run and rushing the passer.

Kansas City Chiefs
Georgia OLB Justin Houston: 2011 third round (70th overall)

Every year, teams reach for edge rushers, yet Houston somehow lasted until the third round, and it's a safe bet that 31 teams regret passing on him, considering he has recorded 56 sacks and eight forced fumbles in his first five seasons in the league. He's an effective hand fighter with the quickness, flexibility, instincts and closing speed to beat offensive tackles in a number of ways. He isn't one-dimensional either. Although he's at his best getting after the quarterback, he's effective dropping into coverage and has the strength to set the edge against the run.

Oakland Raiders
Fresno State QB Derek Carr: 2014 second round (36th overall)

We weren't that high on Carr coming out of Fresno State, but he admittedly exceeded our expectations as a rookie in 2014 and progressed last season, thanks in part to the addition of talented rookie receiver Amari Cooper. Carr needs to continue to improve his timing, ball placement and mechanics, but the NFL isn't too big a stage for him. He has the arm strength to make any throw, as well as the athletic ability to buy time in the pocket and make plays outside it. He also has shown the ability to stand in there and locate the open man.

San Diego Chargers
Cal WR Keenan Allen: 2013 third round (76th overall)

There were concerns about Allen's durability coming out of Cal, and he has missed 11 games in three NFL seasons, including eight in 2015. Last season, he was on pace to catch 134 passes for 1,450 yards and eight touchdowns when he got hurt. He's a physical receiver who does the dirty work over the middle, runs hard after the catch and makes contested catches downfield and in the red zone. Although he isn't as explosive as some other receivers, he's a crafty route runner who knows how to get open and boxes out corners when he's unable to create separation.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Steals? Almost all these picks are 2nd rounders. That's a great selection and good value but not really sure I can consider a 2nd rounder (or the 1st for Wilkerson) a STEAL, especially at some of the positions listed.

 

[iowajerms]

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys
Boise State DT Tyrone Crawford: 2012 third round (81st overall)

Dallas has nailed all three first-round picks used on the offensive line in the past five drafts, as G Zack Martin (2014), C Travis Frederick (2013) and OT Tyron Smith (2011) were all selected to the Pro Bowl in 2015. However, Crawford has been a steal as a third-rounder in 2012. He is an ascending player who has developed into the linchpin on the interior of the Cowboys' defensive line. Dallas locked Crawford up with a six-year extension worth more than $45 million in September, and he responded with a career year in tackles (35) and sacks (five) in 2015.

New York Giants
LSU WR Odell Beckham Jr.: 2014 first round (12th overall)

This choice is as obvious as they, come considering how Beckham has torched the NFL in his first two seasons. Although he appeared in just 12 games in 2014, Beckham became the first rookie receiver to catch more than 90 passes and have 10-plus touchdown catches while earning offensive rookie of the year honors. He also broke Randy Moss' record for receiving yards by a player in his first two seasons (2,755). We gave Beckham a high first-round grade coming out, but no one could have predicted he'd turn into one of the top receivers so quickly.

Philadelphia Eagles
Cincinnati C Jason Kelce: 2011 sixth round (191st overall)

The Eagles found tremendous value late in the sixth round with Kelce, who was a starter from day one and has started in all 62 games he has appeared in throughout his first five seasons. Although he has dealt with some injuries and missed the majority of the 2012 season with a torn MCL, Kelce has developed into one of the top centers in the league while also earning a spot in the 2014 Pro Bowl.

Washington Redskins
Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins: 2012 fourth round (102nd overall)

It's ironic that the Redskins made their worst draft decision and their best on two quarterbacks in the same year. After paying a king's ransom to the Rams for the second overall pick to take QB Robert Griffin III, Washington had the foresight to get some insurance for Griffin's durability concerns coming out of Baylor (which ended up paying off) with Cousins' selection in the fourth round. In Cousins' first year as a full-time starter, the Redskins' scoring offense improved from 26th in 2014 to 10th, and the team also captured its first division title since 2012.

 

[iowajerms]

NFC NORTH

Chicago Bears
South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffery: 2012 second round (45th overall)

Current GM Ryan Pace found great value in his first draft, with a 2015 fifth-round selection of Adrian Amos, who started all 16 games as a rookie at safety. However, it's hard to argue with former GM Phil Emery's selection of Jeffery, who has developed into a solid No. 1 receiver for the Bears. Jeffery was the seventh receiver taken in 2012 and has arguably been the top receiver from the class through four seasons, with 252 catches for 3,728 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Detroit Lions
BYU DE Ziggy Ansah: 2013 first round (5th overall)

Former GM Martin Mayhew did well in taking Ansah, who has developed into one of the NFL's best edge rushers. He has recorded 30 sacks in his first three seasons, including a career-high 14.5 sacks in 2015 (third highest in the NFL) on his way to his first Pro Bowl selection. It also should be noted that the three other defensive ends selected in the first round of the 2013 class -- Dion Jordan (Dolphins, third overall); Barkevious Mingo (Browns, sixth overall); Bjoern Werner (Colts, 24th overall) -- could all be considered busts through their first three years.

Green Bay Packers
Colorado OT David Bakhtiari: 2013 fourth round (109th overall)

In a heavy 2013 offensive tackle class that held three of the first four overall picks, GM Ted Thompson arguably found the best of the group to this point. After a preseason injury to Bryan Bulaga prior to the 2013 season, Bakhtiari was thrown into the fire as a rookie starting left tackle, and he has not looked back since. He was the 10th tackle selected in 2013 and the only one to notch 50 career starts through his first three seasons (including playoffs), which includes a streak of 49 consecutive starts.

Minnesota Vikings
Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater: 2014 first round (32nd overall)

We really loved Rick Spielman's Harrison Smith selection with the Vikings' second first-round pick in 2012. However, trading with Seattle and moving back into the first round and finding a starter at the hardest position to find takes precedent here. It's important to remember Spielman had to give up only second- and fourth-round picks to jump ahead of the Texans, who also needed a quarterback and held the first pick of the second round.

 

[jarntt]

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys
Boise State DT Tyrone Crawford: 2012 third round (81st overall)

Dallas has nailed all three first-round picks used on the offensive line in the past five drafts, as G Zack Martin (2014), C Travis Frederick (2013) and OT Tyron Smith (2011) were all selected to the Pro Bowl in 2015. However, Crawford has been a steal as a third-rounder in 2012. He is an ascending player who has developed into the linchpin on the interior of the Cowboys' defensive line. Dallas locked Crawford up with a six-year extension worth more than $45 million in September, and he responded with a career year in tackles (35) and sacks (five) in 2015.

Murray was a better pick

 

[iowajerms]

NFC SOUTH

Atlanta Falcons
Florida State RB Devonta Freeman: 2014 fourth round (103rd overall)

Freeman was the eighth running back selected in 2014, and though he showed flashes as a rookie, he came into his own in 2015 in his first year as a starter. Freeman has quickly developed into one of the more versatile running backs in the league, accumulating 14 total touchdowns in 2015 while rushing for more than 1,000 yards and adding 578 yards receiving (73 catches).

Carolina Panthers
Boston College ILB Luke Kuechly: 2012 first round (9th overall)

Obviously, taking Cam Newton with the first overall pick in 2011 changed the franchise, but for the sake of the drill, we excluded him here. Even still, there was a heavy internal debate over this selection, as there are plenty to choose from, including CB Josh Norman (2012 fifth round, 143rd overall) and Kawann Short (2013 second round, 44th overall), who both have legit arguments. In the end, though, we went with Kuechly, who has turned into the best middle linebacker in the game and has three Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections along with defensive player of the year (2013) and defensive rookie of the year (2012) awards under his belt through his first four seasons.

New Orleans Saints
Arkansas-Pine Bluff OT Terron Armstead: 2013 third round (76th overall)

The Saints found excellent value in Armstead, a small-school prospect who has quickly developed into a starter at left tackle in his second season. Armstead has dealt with some minor injuries and has not yet put together a full season, but when he has been on the field, he has played at a high level. He was selected as an alternate for the Pro Bowl last season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Nebraska OLB Lavonte David: 2012 second round (58th overall)

Credit needs to be given to current GM Matt Licht for his selection of Jameis Winston with the first overall pick last year, which has worked out so far, despite some of Winston's off-the-field issues coming out of college. However, as with the Panthers and Newton, as the first overall pick, we excluded Winston for the sake of the drill. Former GM Mark Dominik found great value with David, who has set the recent trend of undersized "space" linebackers in the league. Despite his lack of measurables, David has been productive and durable, appearing and starting in 62 of 64 games through his first four seasons, while also earning All-Pro honors (2013) and being selected to his first Pro Bowl last season.

 

[iowajerms]

NFC WEST

Arizona Cardinals
Northern Iowa RB David Johnson: 2015 third round (86th overall)

Undoubtedly, S Tyrann Mathieu (2013 third round) would get the nod here, but durability issues, including two major knee surgeries in his first three seasons, are concerning. There are also other arguments, including WR John Brown (2014 third round) and converted linebacker Deone Bucannon (2014 first round), who led the team in tackles last season. We went with Johnson here because he had outstanding production in his rookie season, with 1,606 all-purpose yards and a team-leading 13 total touchdowns. Johnson is quickly developing into one of the NFL's more versatile running backs.

Los Angeles Rams
Pittsburgh DT Aaron Donald: 2014 first round (13th overall)

The Rams' best move in the past five years has been the famous Robert Griffin trade with Washington in 2012, which added an influx of talent. GM Les Snead and Jeff Fisher also found great value with CB Trumaine Johnson (2012 third round) and nailed last year's first-round pick in RB Todd Gurley (offensive rookie of the year). However, it's hard to argue with Donald, who was defensive rookie of the year (2014) and has quickly developed into one the top defensive players in the league, with Pro Bowl selections in his first two seasons and All-Pro honors last year.

San Francisco 49ers
South Florida DE Aaron Lynch: 2014 fifth round (150th overall)

San Francisco took a flier in the fifth and has found quality value in Lynch, who had top-50 caliber talent but fell in the 2014 draft because of character baggage. The risk has paid off so far, as Lynch developed into a starter in his second season and has recorded at least six sacks in each of his first two seasons.

Seattle Seahawks
Wisconsin QB Russell Wilson: 2012 third round (75th overall)

There are plenty of options from the John Schneider and Pete Carroll era, including CB Richard Sherman (2011 sixth round) and WR Tyler Lockett (2015 third round), but Wilson is the obvious answer here, and it really isn't close. The 2012 offensive rookie of the year and three-time Pro Bowl selection instantly changed the direction of the franchise, and he played a big part in getting Seattle to two consecutive Super Bowls in his first three seasons -- and winning the championship in 2013.

 

[Psych-Ward]

Steals? Almost all these picks are 2nd rounders. That's a great selection and good value but not really sure I can consider a 2nd rounder (or the 1st for Wilkerson) a STEAL, especially at some of the positions listed.

It's from ESPN, what would you expect????

 

[megalodon30]

This might be the worst article I've read in my whole life. 5th overall pick is a steal? Because he turned out better than Bjoern Warner? Who was taken 19 picks after Ansah.

There are too many 1st and 2nd rounders here to take this list seriously. Derek Wolfe (2nd round) over Malik Jackson (5th round)? Psh, please.

 

[Superbelt]

Steelers: Kelvin Beachum, LT, Round 7 in 2012

I'd say that's a hell of a lot more of a steal than getting Bell in a premium draft position.

 

[Scooby-Doo]

How is Ziggy Ansah, 5th overall, a steal? What a stupid analysis.

 

[Tharvot]

...

Cleveland Browns
Baylor WR Josh Gordon: 2012 second round (supplemental draft)

This is a controversial choice, considering the league suspended Gordon for 10 games in 2014 and the entire 2015 season and recently denied his petition for reinstatement. That said, the Browns surrendered their 2013 second-round pick (39th overall) to take Gordon in the 2012 supplemental draft, and they haven't drafted a player who has made anywhere near the kind of impact he has when he has been on the field. He caught 87 passes for 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns in 14 games in 2013. His blend of size and speed makes him one of the toughest one-on-one matchups. Offensive guard Joel Bitonio and former wide receiver Travis Benjamin are good players who were in the running, but Gordon is on another level....

This is plain retarded. How is a guy a "steal" when he cost a 2nd round pick and has been able to stay on the field 1 of his 3 seasons???

500 yards receiving and 3 TDs per season out of a 2nd rounder isn't even good. Travis Benjamin has the exact same numbers for his career but he was a 4th round selection and good in special teams. If anything, Gordon is a bust.

 

[Cave_Johnson]

Man I really do appreciate Jerms posting this stuff that's only available to ESPN Insiders. But I gotta say, reading a lot of it just reminds me why it wouldn't be worth it to become an ESPN Insider.

 

[SeizeTheCarp]

How is Ziggy Ansah, 5th overall, a steal? What a stupid analysis.

So who would you have picked?

Detroit Lions All-Time Draft History | Pro-Football-Reference.com

 

[martinez]

So who would you have picked?

Detroit Lions All-Time Draft History | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Slay is the only other option

 

[NinerSickness]

How is Ziggy Ansah, 5th overall, a steal? What a stupid analysis.

Should've been taken ahead of the 4 guys who went higher. You usually don't get a guy that good at 5 unless the draft is really top heavy (he was #1 overall on my big board by the way).

Also, it's the Lions. It's not like they have a ton of steals to which they can compare.

 

[cdumler7]

Steals? Almost all these picks are 2nd rounders. That's a great selection and good value but not really sure I can consider a 2nd rounder (or the 1st for Wilkerson) a STEAL, especially at some of the positions listed.

Yup agree with this. To me a steal is somebody who has greatly outperformed their draft position. A 2nd round pick is expected to be a starter at some point. Now a 5th round pick and beyond maybe not so much. For me as a Bronco fan I would say Danny Trevathan in the 6th round has meant more to the team than Wolfe. Trevathan was a 3 year starter and a highly productive starter. I love Wolfe who they picked but really he didn't come on as a quality starter until this past season. Injuries and suspensions really limited his first 3 years in the league.