The NFL Draft is the most exciting day in sports, but it can also be one of the most frustrating. Fans share their stories of how they got lucky on draft day and found the perfect player that would help them win their league.
The late-round draft steals fantasy football is a story about the NFL Draft Day. It features some amazing stories of players who had their name called in the late rounds of the draft, but went on to have incredible careers.
For football enthusiasts, the NFL draft is one of the most exciting occasions of the year. There’s always drama, which adds to the excitement. The majority of the time, people are fascinated with NFL Draft flops, but the draft also produces numerous gems. Franchises may sometimes chase players that are considered “reaches” at the time but turn out to be great draft steals.
Today, we’ll look at 20 examples of when this occurred. Fans told their tales about these draft choices and how they felt about them at the time. They also explain why they changed their minds, and we talk about their accomplishments on the field. Some are first-round reaches, while others are steals in the later rounds, but they’re all incredible. Check out the list below, which was compiled with the help of Reddit and Bleacher Report.
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Willis McGahee (number 20)
WideRight43 said, “People thought Willis McGahee a fairly large reach due to his collegiate injuries.” “I believe any RB Buffalo drafts fits this criteria. The list goes on and on: Lynch, Antoine Smith, and so on.” McGahee had a fairly successful career as a two-time Pro Bowler and the NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Scouts thought he might be a top-five running back, but he suffered a catastrophic knee injury that frightened off many clubs.
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McGahee played with the Bills for two seasons before disrespecting the whole city and leaving a cloud of dust in his wake. Then he moved to Baltimore, where he did well but had ailments at different times. While he was never the destructive force that many had anticipated, he did have some amazing moments. He was at his most ferocious.
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Travis Frederick, 19
JoeyBrickz remarked, “It’s always the first thing that springs to mind.” “I didn’t even know the name, which is why I was so excited with the selection, and he’s been dominating ever since.” Frederick is one of the most misunderstood draft choices in history. Then he became known as one of the greatest bargains ever. The media said he’d be a bust, but Frederick proved them all wrong by playing well for the Dallas Cowboys.
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Frederick, who was gloriously bearded, played seven years as a center with the Cowboys. He came from Wisconsin with little prior experience, yet he appeared in every game during his rookie season. He was a five-time Pro Bowler and one of the finest in his position in the league towards the conclusion of his career. It simply goes to show that great ability can come from the most unlikely of locations, since few anticipated him to be as brilliant as he was.
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Jordy Nelson (#18)
“I may be wrong, but both Jordy Nelson and Davante Adams were considered reaches at the time, and they both turned out pretty darn well,” adapt313 reflected. Nelson was a very unknown second-round selection who had a difficult first season in Green Bay, and the Reddit commenter was exactly right in his judgment. He, on the other hand, turned things around in style.
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Nelson played with the Packers for ten seasons and won a Super Bowl with them. He was also a member of the Pro Bowl once. Davante Adams was likewise a wide receiver who carried a lot of pressure on his shoulders. He did, however, put up excellent performances and soon became a fan favorite in Green Bay. In 2014, he was the ninth receiver chosen, although he surpassed many of those before of him.
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Darius Leonard (#17)
“My name is Darius Leonard. Many “draft gurus” awarded the colts a failing grade for that selection. MGCCC num4 commented, “Of course, he had an All-Pro rookie season.” In 2018, the Colts selected him in the second round. Because of his injury issues, many critics thought it was a poor choice. Leonard, on the other hand, hushed his critics with a stellar first season, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
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All the scouting and research in the world won’t make you a winner. With course, it helps, but guys like Leonard demonstrate that the draft is full of treasures. Leonard was also named a two-time First-Team All-Pro after regularly performing on the field. To summarize, he is a formidable tank and one of the AFC’s best linebackers. Every week, he puts his life on the line for Indianapolis.
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Frank Clark, no. 16
Frank Clark’s selection in the second round was a big surprise, according to OBJesus. “Even if you ignore his off-field problems, no one regarded him as a first-round talent, and many anticipated him to drop in the selection due to his off-field issues. It was a huge surprise to see Seattle choose him first overall in the selection (2nd round).” Clark had a breakout sophomore season, racking up 10 sacks.
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Finally, after an outstanding season with the Seattle Seahawks, the Kansas City Chiefs rushed in to sign him. He became one of their most valuable players after helping them win their first Super Bowl in more than 50 years. Many others, however, thought he was a huge danger due to his nature and the perceived limitations of his ability. But he surmounted the obstacles to show the audience that he was worthy of their support.
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James Jones (number 15)
“Another was James Jones in the third round,” octopus rex added. “For a long time, I referred to him as James ‘The Reach’ Jones. He reached the peak of dependability after battling with dips during his first several years. One year, I also led the league in touchdowns.” In 2012, he became the first player in Green Bay Packers history to start every game. For a third-round draft selection, it was a meteoric ascent.
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During his first tenure with the Packers, Jones also won a Super Bowl ring. He also became well-known for wearing a hoodie beneath his jersey, which led to an NFL rule change. The Raiders also have a former San Jose State standout on their roster. In high school, he was a quarterback before transitioning to wide receiver in college.
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Ju’Wuan James is 14 years old.
“In the first, Ju’Wuan James was seen to be a stretch. Then he became the NFL’s highest-paid right tackle, according to AskMeAboutTheJets. In his debut season, James failed to persuade supporters that he was the solution, since he performed badly for at least half of it. Then, in his sophomore year, he was excellent until an injury cut short his season. The next year, the Miami Dolphins star played a full season.
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James is a fantastic athlete, yet he is always injured. His ability is undeniable since he is an exceptional player. Due to the worldwide health crisis, he declined to participate in 2020. Furthermore, the Broncos have given him a large sum of money. He was a member of one of the finest offensive lines in the nation during his tenure with the Tennessee Volunteers.
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Kenny Golladay (#13)
SockThemBoppers observed, “Kenny Golladay was given terrible grades and was a “huge reach” in the third round, yet here we are.” The Detroit Lions haven’t had much to cheer about in recent seasons, but Golladay was a bright spot. They, along with quarterback Matthew Stafford, added some talent to the Lions’ offense. Both guys, however, left following the 2020 season.
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Stafford’s transfer to L. A. was a big deal, but Golladay’s departure was much bigger. In 2019, the Pro Bowler led the league in receiving touchdowns, demonstrating his immense skill. With a string of spectacular performances, he made a mockery of his draft position. This also resulted in a big deal with the New York Giants, who were eager to add some excitement to their squad.
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Dwight Freeney (#12)
“He was expected to go in the second round, but the Colts “reached” and grabbed him with the 11th selection. Later, another top-15 club (the Cardinals, I believe) stated they were obviously going to pick him and felt they were safe based on mocks,” WiSeIVIaN recalled. Because he was so excellent throughout his career, Freeney has one of the most amazing records on our list. With the Indianapolis Colts, he even won a Super Bowl.
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Many athletes, on the other hand, earn Super Bowl rings simply by being in the right place at the right moment. As a seven-time Pro Bowler, Freeney constantly showed his abilities. He was a great defensive end of his age, leading the league in sacks in 2004. In retrospect, it’s hard to believe that some clubs believed they were taking a risk by chasing him.
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Baker Mayfield (#11)
“Many draftniks rated him behind Darnold, Rosen, and Allen, but he was drafted first overall. It’s too soon to say he’s worked out, but so far it’s looking good,” Benedict Cumberpatch remarked. Because of his attitude and performance on the field, Mayfield is one of the most divisive quarterbacks in recent NFL history. His first season was fantastic, but his second season was a disaster.
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In year three, though, he turned things around by leading the Browns to a rare playoff appearance and bringing pleasure to a whole community. Mayfield is undeniably talented and had a great college career. However, following that terrible second year, many fans and experts questioned and criticized him. To call him a steal is an exaggeration, but the Browns will be pleased since Allen is the only other success story among the aforementioned names.
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Marlon Humphrey is number ten on the list.
“At least so far, it’s been Marlon Humphrey. Nobody expected him to go so early, but he seems to be developing into a top-tier corner,” hossboss69 said. The Baltimore Ravens were ecstatic to get their guy in the first round, and he did not disappoint. He was named to the Pro Bowl for his efforts, and he became a popular favorite in Maryland. In a nutshell, it was a fantastic bargain.
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The Ravens signed him to a deal for almost $100 million in 2020. Because he was so consistent and influential on the field, he deserved this. He was born and raised in Alabama, and he gave his all to the Crimson Tide before entering the NFL. He was ranked the fifth-best cornerback in the 2017 draft by Sports Illustrated, but he has established himself as one of the finest in the league.
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Todd Gurley (nine)
“Todd Gurley,” says the narrator. He was a consensus first-round talent, but owing to his position and knee injury, he was projected to be a late first-round pick at best. The Rams were chastised for selecting him at number ten. CB1984 observed, “It’s safe to say it’s worked out quite well for us.” While Gurley’s time in Los Angeles was cut short due to injuries, it’s fair to say that the first few years were fantastic for both him and the organization.
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In 2015, he was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He then won the Offensive Player of the Year title two years later. Meanwhile, he led the league in running touchdowns twice and appeared in two Pro Bowls. Before injuries took their toll, Gurley was a force to be reckoned with. Finally, in 2020, he left the Rams for the Atlanta Falcons in an attempt to turn his career around.
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Kenny Clark (#8)
“I can think of one recent selection that many felt was a stretch for the Packers: Kenny Clark. GridironFootballer described him as “a beast.” In 2016, Clark was a late first-round pick. Green Bay supporters now consider it a bargain since he developed into a fearsome nose tackle. Clark is, quite simply, a rhinoceros in human form because he is such a force to be reckoned with.
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Clark made his mark in 2018 by outperforming his prior seasons with the Packers. They finally signed him to a huge mega-money contract after he finished his five-year rookie term. Many supporters were relieved because they wanted to retain the famous former UCLA basketball player in Wisconsin. Clark has the potential to be a long-term staple at his position.
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Cam Newton (number 7)
“I remember the 2011 NFL offseason as if it were yesterday. I recall the outrage Panther fans felt when Luck decided to remain in school. According to rumors, Harbaugh urged Luck to avoid the Panthers as Eli Manning did. It became so widespread that Oliver Luck went on local radio to debunk the rumor,” Sturdevant said. Newton wasn’t a terrible quarterback choice for the Panthers, at least at first.
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Andrew Luck was one of his generation’s greatest players, but he was unavailable. Newton then went on to win the NFL MVP award, proving his worth. While his latter career with the Panthers and subsequently the Patriots was hampered by injuries, there is no doubting his brilliance. “With Cam Newton, they didn’t view him as a long shot, but rather as a divisive possibility. He was certainly the first overall selection if you didn’t believe he’d be a complete bust,” sfzen revealed.
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Jerod Mayo, No. 6
“One of them was Patriots quarterback Jerod Mayo,” finnwormser added. “At #10 overall, he was considered a bit of a stretch, but he had a number of above-average seasons, as well as a couple of very excellent ones. Unfortunately, due to injuries, his career was cut short, but I heard he’s back with the Patriots as a linebackers coach.” Mayo was named Defensive First of the Year in his rookie season, demonstrating his talent.
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But he also showed great devotion to the Patriots, and following his retirement, Bill Belichick named him a part of his coaching staff. Mayo was a Super Bowl winner and a two-time Pro Bowler who had a lot of success on the field. Mayo has a work ethic that is legendary. He worked hard on and off the field, never taking his draft position for granted. It’s no surprise that Belichick thinks so highly of him.
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Patrick Mahomes (#5)
“In 2017, Mahomes was thought to be a Clelin Ferrell-type reach (15 places higher than projected to go).” IIHURRlCANEII noted, “It came out alright.” Mahomes is clearly a generational talent, but that was far from certain when the Chiefs selected him in the first round. However, they did the right thing by redshirting him in his first season. Then, in 2018, he burst into the scene and transformed Kansas City into a force.
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“Wonderful. “I remember a lot of people criticizing the Chiefs for drafting a developing quarterback so early when they already had Alex Smith under contract and doing well,” AKraiderfan observed. Andy Reid and his staff deserve a lot of credit for the way they coached and fine-tuned Mahomes for the NFL. They got a great deal with a Super Bowl winner and a multi-time Pro Bowler.
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Bruce Irvin, No. 4
ImanShumpertplus noted, “Bruce Irvin was a big surprise at 15 and played a significant part in the Super Bowl.” Irvin played a key part in more than one Super Bowl, but he only got one ring. In 2013, he helped the Patriots beat the Broncos and was a key player on the field. However, when the Patriots beat his Seahawks in 2014, he became the first player to be ejected from a Super Bowl.
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“No, he wasn’t a superstar like some of the other guys listed, but he was a very effective player on our defense and was generally seen as a risk when we selected him. Since he departed, we haven’t been able to locate a decent third LB,” hendrix67 remarked. Irvin wasn’t the most flashy player on the team, but he was a fantastic athlete with a high level of efficiency. This is something that every Super Bowl-winning team need.
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J.J Watt is number three.
“I recall Texans fans being enraged in 2011 when JJ Watt was “reaching” for him. Everyone was furious that Prince Amukamara would be replaced with an unathletic DE. “It turned out to be a decent “reach” on the side of the Texans,” RhoAlphaPhii remarked. When Watt eventually left Houston for Arizona in 2021, many Texans fans were in tears. This was due to his unwavering dedication to the squad.
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During his three-year tenure with the Texans, the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year shattered every significant Texans record. On two occasions, he topped the league in sacks. Meanwhile, a short look at one of Watt’s workouts reveals that he is a really amazing beast. He’s one of the greatest defensive ends in the league because to his fierce tackling and excellent positional play.
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Kyle Long is number two.
“Kyle Long wants to go back to school for another year in order to enhance his abilities and raise his worth. “However, the NCAA denied him a medical redshirt, forcing him to become pro as well,” Hyperdrunk added. He sought for another year of eligibility, but the NCAA turned him down, thus he ended up playing with the Chicago Bears. For the former Oregon star, it turned out to be a gift in disguise.
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The Bears’ choice was panned by many fans, yet it turned out to be a wise one. “In college, Long was only a starter for about half a season due to an injury. The fact that he was a big unknown with very little footage was more important than his age,” TheManWhoWasNotShort remembered. During his tenure in Chicago, he was a three-time Pro Bowler, so it was a fantastic choice.
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Ed Reed is number one.
andyzaltzman1 concurred, “This has to be the winner, Ed Reed is without a doubt the greatest safety to ever play.” “Probably the greatest defensive back in history, and without a doubt one of the top defenders in the past 30 years.” By no means is this an exaggeration. Reed was a fantastic athlete who deserved to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He deserves to be at the top of our list since he is one of Baltimore’s best players of all time.
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He won the Super Bowl with the Ravens and was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2005. Reed was a nine-time Pro Bowler and has the most interceptions in the league. Meanwhile, he has a huge personality, which has helped him gain popularity among admirers. Every generation, a game-changing talent emerges, and Reed was one of them. Simply put, he was exceptional and a top athlete.
The nfl draft grades 2021 is a list of the top NFL prospects for the upcoming draft. This list is updated before every NFL Draft.
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