The first three rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft are officially over and the top players in this year’s class have found their homes at the next level. There have been multiple shocking moves in the first round including the Atlanta Falcons drafting Michael Penix Jr after signing Kirk Cousins this off-season and the Buffalo Bills trading back to give the Kansas City Chiefs Xavier Worthy.
Due to these unexpected moves, some players dropped down the draft board into Day 2 and multiple teams have capitalized by trading up. These are the five biggest steals of the second and third rounds based on where they were selected to and how far they slipped down.
The Biggest 2024 NFL Draft Steals From Day 2
1. Cooper DeJean: 40th Overall, Philadelphia Eagles
With the eighth pick in the second round, the Philadelphia Eagles traded up to draft Cooper DeJean out of Iowa. DeJean was a first-round grade by almost every NFL analyst and insider leading up to the draft. He was a unanimous All-American in 2023 and has the versatility to play multiple positions in the secondary.
Eagles General Manager Howie Roseman has a continuous pattern of trading up to draft the best available prospects. This is no different as DeJean will likely make an impact right away. Philadelphia will now add DeJean to a secondary room that already drafted Quinyon Mitchell in the first round.
2. Tyler Nubin: 47th Overall, New York Giants
After letting Xavier McKinney walk to the Green Bay Packers in free agency, adding secondary help was a need heading into this year’s draft for the New York Giants. Grabbing possibly the best safety prospect in Tyler Nubin will give New York an option for replacement at safety right away.
Nubin started 36 games over the past three seasons at Minnesota and has great ball-tracking skills. He is also a high-volume tackler and active in run support. He was a low first-round grade on most insiders’ boards, but trading up to grab Nubin in the middle of the second round is great value for what he will bring long-term.
3. Adonai Mitchell: 52nd Overall, Indianapolis Colts
With the 52nd overall pick, Anthony Richardson will get another weapon to throw the ball to in Adonai Mitchell out of Texas. The Indianapolis Colts just signed Michael Pittman Jr to a massive extension and drafted Josh Downs last year, but Mitchell slipping to the middle of the second round is value General Manager Chris Billard could not pass up.
Mitchell, who is six-foot-two and ran a 4.34 40-yard dash has the speed and ball-tracking skills to excel at the next level. Indianapolis wants to add speed at wide receiver this off-season. They will make that a reality by drafting Mitchell as he will line up next to Pittman with Downs in the slot next season.
4. Ennis Rakestraw Jr: 62nd Overall, Detroit Lions
After trading up to draft Terrion Arnold in the first round, the Detroit Lions have doubled down on cornerbacks and selected Ennis Rakestraw Jr with the 62nd overall pick. Arnold, who was a middle first-round grade on most insider’s draft boards slipped to 24th overall. Getting Rakestraw at 62 is an even bigger steal.
Rakestraw, who was a big part of Missouri’s defensive scheme last season is an instinctive corner who sits well in man and zone coverage. Detroit ranked 27th in passing yards per game last season and has addressed that issue with their first two draft picks. If you’re a Lions fan, you can’t be happier with how their draft has started.
5. Roman Wilson: 84th Overall, Pittsburgh Steelers
After trading Diontae Johnson this off-season, the Pittsburgh Steelers grabbed Roman Wilson late in the third round to help fill the hole. Wilson was ranked as a late second to early third-round grade, but Pittsburgh managed to get him at a low price tag.
Wilson played a key role in Michigan’s national championship run as the team’s top target despite being a run-heavy offense. He is a great separator off the line of scrimmage and ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He will join George Pickens as the Steelers young duo for the future and will have a real chance to make an impact during his rookie season.
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