Every NFL season, there's always a handful of rookies drafted in the late rounds that exceed expectations, and 2023 is no different. So here are the biggest steals of the 2023 NFL draft:
Ivan Pace Jr., Minnesota Vikings (Undrafted)
Everyone loves a good underdog story of an undrafted free agent who finds major success in the big leagues. Ivan Pace Jr. is by no means the most successful undrafted free agent in NFL history, but his production in 2023 made other teams wish they had drafted him. Playing all seventeen games is quite the feat for an undrafted free agent, but Ivan Pace Jr. took it one step further and recorded a solid 68 tackles, 1 interception, and 1 forced fumble in his rookie year. Pace should serve as a reliable replacement for the 31-year-old Jordan Hicks at the linebacker position in the coming years, and the Vikings didn't have to spend a draft pick on him.
Byron Young, Los Angeles Rams
(3rd round, 77th overall pick)
Despite not having a first-round pick, the Rams somehow have two of the best rookies in the NFL, the second being linebacker Byron Young. The young pass rusher has put up some impressive stats to start what should be a long and successful NFL career: 8.0 sacks, 22 QB hits, and two forced fumbles. Pass rushers don't usually hit their primes until their second or third season, making Young's rookie campaign a promising sign of what's to come. Bryon Young's stellar pass rushing has also kept a young and inexperienced defense afloat after losing Jalen Ramsey and Bobby Wagner in the prior offseason.
Mekhi Blackmon, Minnesota Vikings
(3rd round, 102nd overall pick)
The Vikings' defense greatly improved in 2023, partly due to their ball-hogging cornerback who's seemingly flown under the radar as one of the draft's biggest steals. After Patrick Peterson left the Vikes in free agency, the hole at cornerback was immediate with Mekhi Blackmon, the third-round pick out of Southern California. Blackmon doesn't have eye-popping statistics or a substantial amount of takeaways, but that's because opposing quarterbacks are wisely avoiding throwing the ball his way.
Tyrique Stevenson, Chicago Bears
(Round 2, 56th overall pick)
I've talked a lot about Tyrique Stevenson on this blog so I'll keep it short. But the 56th overall pick of the 2023 draft has proven to be a crucial asset to a rapidly improving Bears' defense. Tyrique Stevenson has quietly become one of the best corners the NFL has to offer, with 15 passes defended, four interceptions, and 79 tackles to round out a promising rookie campaign. Despite Stevenson not being considered for the 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year honors for some reason, he should be a lockdown corner and franchise cornerstone for years to come.
Demario Douglas, New England Patriots
(Round 6, 210th overall pick )
Demario Douglas isn't a gigantic difference-maker like Puka Nacua or Devon Achane. But 561 receiving yards in a rookie season is rather impressive when most receivers taken in the 6th round barely play any offensive snaps. Few receivers could have displayed such production on such an inept Patriots offense in 2023. And Douglas is yet to reach his ceiling, as his yardage will likely improve with a new quarterback, head coach, and offensive coordinator next season.
Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys (Undrafted)
Kickers are often signed as undrafted free agents, thus greatly exceeding expectations makes them an easy pick for a draft steal. And the Cowboys' rookie kicker perfectly fits that description. Brandon Aubrey played in the USFL in 2022, and the Cowboys needed a new kicker after Brett Maher missed four consecutive kicks in the previous wild-card round. Aubrey quickly became one of the league's best kickers in just one season, making a league-best 94.8% of kicks, breaking numerous NFL rookie kicker records. If that doesn't scream draft steal, I don't what does.
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
(3rd round, 79th overall pick)
The Colts got more than they asked for with the third-round pick receiver, Josh Downs, which is pretty much the definition of a draft steal. Downs wasn't the primary centerpiece of the Colts' offense, but he still managed to record over 750 receiving yards and 68 receptions in what was a productive rookie season. In 2024, Josh Downs should continue to develop into Anthony Richardson's reliable second read that Indy had envisioned when drafting him.
Yaya Diaby, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
(3rd round, 82nd overall pick)
There sure were plenty of high-quality receivers and pass rushers in the 2023 draft class, and Yaya Diaby's stellar rookie campaign did nothing to break that mold. The Bucs' defense was in desperate need of young talent, and they had to wait until the third round to get it. But Yaya Diaby has been playing more like a first-round pick, with his 7.5 sacks and 8 QB hits in his rookie 2023 season. And the production of the young Bucs' linebacker should only increase in the next few years, making Yaya Diaby one of the biggest draft steals of 2023.
Tank Dell, Houston Texans (3rd round, 69th overall pick)
Tank Dell simply does not receive enough credit for the Texans' surprising 10-7 season and divisional-round appearance in 2023. Dell played only 11 games in 2023 due to injury, but he certainly torched opposing defenses when on the field, receiving for 709 yards in his 11 games, without even being his team's no.1 wideout. Dell's versatility is also why he's so dangerous; he can run the entire field on a screen pass, catch long bombs, and get first downs with a jet sweep. Assuming he's fully healthy in 2024, Tank Dell could rank in the upper echelon of the NFL's receivers and propel the Texans to more playoff success.
Devon Achane, Miami Dolphins
(3rd round, 84th overall pick)
Devon Achane wasn't super consistent during his 2023 season, but his big-play ability was enough to rack up 800 yards on the ground and gain a spot on this list. Rushing for 800 yards while missing six games and playing second fiddle to Raheem Mostert in the backfield, is quite the feat. Achane was also a crucial component to the Dolphins' historic 70-point dismantling of the Broncos, in which he ran for over 200 yards and two touchdowns. If Achane can stay healthy and consistent in 2024, he could easily develop into one of the league's elite backs, especially since Raheem Mostert will likely slow down by the age of 32.
Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
(5th round, 177th overall pick)
Without star receiver Cooper Kupp for much of the season, the Rams had to use lemons to make lemonade, and Puka Nacua was the water and sugar that made the lemonade taste good. The Rams had no first-round draft picks for this season, but who needs first-round picks when you can get a superstar receiver in the 5th round? Rookie 5th-round pick Puka Nacua has shocked the NFL world with over 1,000 yards and 77 receptions to keep the Rams' offense intact. Nacua's strategy of looking deep and then curling back has embarrassed defenders has made him quickly become one of the NFL's best slot receivers and a candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
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