The 2024 NFL Draft saw a handful of big names leave the board earlier than expected. None were more notable than Michael Penix Jr., the Washington quarterback who went No. 8 overall to the Atlanta Falcons, ahead of future Minnesota Vikings selection JJ McCarthy. But for all the surprise decisions in this regard, there were arguably just as many potential bargains.
Here are seven of our best steals from the 2024 draft:
Widely considered the best runner in his class, Turner slipped in large part because of his historic run on offensive prospects, and the Minnesota Vikings took advantage. That required a trade, but putting the Alabama product at No. 17 overall wouldn’t have been on general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s first-round bingo card. A complete package, Turner should vie for immediate starting reps alongside veteran additions Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel.
The Philadelphia Eagles badly needed both short-term and long-term cornerback help in the draft, but they managed to hang around at No. 22 overall and still have a consensus top-two prospect at this post. You could also say that team executives were convinced of his potential as a cover man, given general manager Howie Roseman’s track record of making investments outside of the first round. Mitchell’s speed and timely hands should allow him to compete immediately for a starting outside role.
Two spots after Quinyon Mitchell’s surprise fall against the Eagles, the Detroit Lions followed suit, coming back to stop the Alabama Falcon’s improbable slide. Not only was the selection a smart deal for Motown, with the Lions needing additional corner depth following the release of Cameron Sutton, but it was also a perfect fit for Arnold, who will slot in alongside the former Crimson Tide chess player, Brian Branch. Like the Eagles, the Lions would also continue to double down for secondary value on day two.
Touted by many as a potential first-round candidate, Newton instead slipped to No. 36, where Washington’s commanders refused to let the existing presence of interior stalwarts like Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne prevent them from further bolstering the trenches. Did the commanders need another big man here? Not necessarily. But the value was too good to pass up, and Newton’s running skills could help spell the biggest names under new defensive head coach Dan Quinn.
Most thought the Eagles were done tackling the secondary after capitalizing on Quinyon Mitchell’s opening day slide. But few expected DeJean to be available at No. 40, where Philadelphia opted to move back-to-back at corner in a move reminiscent of their 2002 draft, which drafted longtime starters like Lito Sheppard, Sheldon Brown and Michael Lewis. DeJean’s elastic versatility could also find him at safety or on special teams as a top returning player in 2024.
Injuries are a concern for Wilson, who is playing without one of his ACLs, according to NFL Media. But his combination of size, instincts, experience and overall toughness makes him a perfect fit for Mike Tomlin’s Pittsburgh Steelers defense. And placing him at No. 98 overall, near the end of the third round, is a good deal even if the NC State product only plays one contract in the Steel City. Paired with prized veteran Patrick Queen, he could make an immediate difference.
Who doesn’t love a late-round quarterback? Six signalmen made the top 12, but Travis slipped to 171st overall in the fifth round. While he doesn’t possess elite size (6-1, 200) and is coming off a serious leg injury at Florida State, he represents a low-risk, high-reward swing for a New York Jets team that needs to keep at least one eye toward the future as Aaron Rodgers begins his age-40 season. His off-script athleticism could give him a higher floor than expected.
