The top each NFL team’s draft class garners headlines today, but it’s the draft steals that make waves for years to come.
Which players have the potential to outperform their draft slot? Which teams maneuvered the board best for top talent? The Athletic’s NFL beat reporters have the best value pick for all 32 NFL teams.
Read carefully — the league’s next late-round success story could be here.
Arizona Cardinals: Kaleb Proctor, DT, Southeast Louisiana
Pick: No. 104, Round 4
A three-year starter, Proctor had a chance to jump to the FBS level for more lucrative NIL offers, but he chose to stay. As a senior last season, Proctor became the first player in school history to be named the Southland Conference Player of the Year. The Cardinals liked what they saw on tape and throughout the draft process. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranked Proctor as the 14th-best defensive tackle in this class and wrote that his intangibles are qualities NFL teams should want in their organization. He was worth taking in the fourth round. — Doug Haller
Atlanta Falcons: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Pick: No. 48, Round 2
Lost in the feel-good story of Atlanta putting Terrell in the same defensive backfield as his brother A.J. is the fact that the Falcons may have gotten a steal. He was rated the fourth-best cornerback and 27th-best prospect at any position by Brugler, but Atlanta got him with the 48th pick. Terrell’s draft stock was hurt when he ran a 4.64-second 40-yard dash at Clemson’s pro day while nursing a hamstring injury, but he said Saturday his leg is healthy, and he’ll be able to go full speed throughout the offseason program. — Josh Kendall
Baltimore Ravens: Zion Young, Edge, Missouri
Pick: No. 45, Round 2
There weren’t a ton of players with legitimate first-round grades in this draft, but that didn’t stop the Ravens from organizing their board accordingly, and Young was comfortably ranked within their top 32 players. The Ravens were surprised when they were on the clock at No. 45 in the second round and Young was still available. The Ravens believe he fits them perfectly with his physicality, edge-setting capabilities and pass-rushing upside. There were other players whom they really liked at No. 45, including Clemson’s Avieon Terrell and Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers. They couldn’t resist Young, however. He was the 10th edge rusher selected. — Jeff Zrebiec
Buffalo Bills: Kaleb Elarms-Orr, LB, TCU
Pick: No. 126, Round 4
The Bills’ pick of Elarms-Orr at No. 126 is a potential home run. In the pre-draft process, he was one of my favorite fits for the team, given his potential draft cost and what he could be in the Bills’ new defensive scheme. Elarms-Orr has definitive starting potential, offering excellent athleticism, tackling and blitzing abilities that can help them on the field in several different ways. The opportunity could be there, too — and as early as the 2026 season. If Elarms-Orr is a backup in 2026, his vast special teams experience will keep him with a game-day role. — Joe Buscaglia
Carolina Panthers: Sam Hecht, C, Kansas State
Pick: No. 144, Round 5
Hecht was Brugler’s second-ranked center, behind Florida’s Jake Slaughter. While Slaughter went in the second round to the Chargers, Hecht had to wait until the fifth round to hear his name called. “I was a little surprised,” Hecht said. “I was kind of hearing I would be third round to early Day 3. But everything happens for a reason.” In two seasons as a starter, Hecht allowed no sacks in 796 pass-blocking reps, according to Pro Football Focus. He also didn’t commit a penalty last season, per Brugler. — Joseph Person
Chicago Bears: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Pick: No. 25, Round 1
Thieneman was ranked 18th overall in Brugler’s top 300. He was 17th on our consensus big board. Two defensive backs coaches told The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman that they had Thieneman rated ahead of Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. No one had any quibbles with the best safety available going to the team that had an opening at starting safety. It’s good value, a perfect fit and an immediate boost to the depth chart. — Kevin Fishbain
Cincinnati Bengals: Connor Lew, C, Auburn
Pick: No. 128, Round 4
Lew was on a path to be a potential top-50 pick before an ACL tear in October. He was a freshman All-American at Auburn and established himself as a leader and captain despite being only 20 years old entering the league. Lew’s strength is in pass protection, which makes him an ideal fit in Cincinnati, and holding up in the SEC for three years serves as an ideal training ground for the NFL trenches. The idea is that Lew could be the Bengals’ starting center in 2027, succeeding the 33-year-old Ted Karras, if this year goes well for him. That’s an easy path to envision. — Paul Dehner Jr.
Cleveland Browns: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Pick: No. 58, Round 2
The Browns went into the second round believing they might select McNeil-Warren at No. 39. With Denzel Boston still available, the team understandably chose its perimeter wide receiver but felt compelled to move when McNeil-Warren was still on the board at No. 58. Cleveland safety Grant Delpit just had his best season, but he is currently only signed through 2026. The Browns value McNeil-Warren’s versatility and athletic upside regardless of how they proceed with Delpit and some of their other defensive veterans. — Zac Jackson
Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Pick: No. 11, Round 1
Most experts didn’t think there was any chance Downs would still be on the board at Pick 11. The Cowboys did the right thing by picking up the phone, calling the Miami Dolphins and trading up one spot to get their guy. Adding Downs is bigger than just filling a position of need. He’s the type of player who can be the face of a defense, impacting games at all three levels. — Jon Machota
Denver Broncos: Kage Casey, OL, Boise State
Pick: No. 111, Round 4
Casey’s value could come in his versatility, a priority for the Broncos as they continue to build depth behind the veteran starters on their offensive line. The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Casey will get his snaps at tackle during the offseason, but the Broncos will also want to see what he can do at left guard, where starter Ben Powers is entering the final year of his contract. If Casey can prove to be a replacement at the position by 2027 — or at least an option to compete for the job — the pick could turn into a major hit. — Nick Kosmider
Detroit Lions: Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State
Pick: No. 157, Round 5
Abney entered Saturday as one of the top prospects available, ranked No. 61 on Brugler’s big board. You had to think he was considered at No. 118. It didn’t take long for the Lions to turn in their selection when they were back on the clock at No. 157. A smaller, fiery cornerback with the competitive mindset required to play in the NFL, Abney fits the Lions as an instinctive player and a physical defender in run support. He projects best as nickel but could offer inside-outside versatility in ways that Amik Robertson brought to the Lions. This is excellent value. — Colton Pouncy
Green Bay Packers: Dani Dennis-Sutton, Edge, Penn State
Pick: No. 120, Round 4
Packers director of player personnel John Wojciechowski said Dennis-Sutton’s best attribute is his pass rush because of his speed to chase down quarterbacks combined with his length (33 1/2-inch arms) and height (6-5 1/2) to disrupt passing lanes. That may come in handy since fellow Penn State alumnus edge rusher Micah Parsons is expected to miss the first couple of games of next season while finishing ACL rehab. Dennis-Sutton, 22, led the Big Ten with 3.8 pressures per game last season and posted 8 1/2 sacks in each of the last two years. — Matt Schneidman
Houston Texans: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
Pick: No. 36, Round 2
McDonald was my favorite pick of the Texans’ draft class in part because of his value. The Texans got a first-round talent four picks into the second round, even though some projections had him going significantly higher. Brugler rated McDonald 32nd in his top 300 rankings. The Texans capitalized on the opportunity to get an immediate impact player to add to an already imposing defensive front. — Mike Jones
Indianapolis Colts: Bryce Boettcher, LB, Oregon
Pick: No. 135, Round 4
A former baseball star who was drafted in the 13th round by the Houston Astros in 2024, Boettcher stuck with football and turned into one of the top linebackers in the country. He led the Big Ten with 136 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss and one sack in 2025. Boettcher was Brugler’s 110th overall prospect, and Indianapolis grabbed him with the 135th pick. The Colts were very thin at linebacker, even with the addition of second-round pick CJ Allen, so Boettcher offers much-needed insurance and depth. He projects as a backup with the chance to be a spot starter. — James Boyd
Jacksonville Jaguars: Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon
Pick: No. 88, Round 3
Guard Emmanuel Pregnon wa Brugler’s 57th-ranked prospect, and the Jaguars got him with the 88th pick. Pregnon, whom Liam Coen lauded for his “ass and mass,” might not have a direct path to a starting job with Ezra Cleveland and Patrick Mekari on the roster, but we’ve yet to find a team that’s ever complained about having good depth up front. Pregnon will likely get a chance to fill in at some point as a rookie, and those opportunities could lead to a more consistent playing time down the road. — Jeff Howe
Kansas City Chiefs: Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska
Pick: No. 161, Round 5
The Chiefs had to do a pick swap with the Steelers to get up to No. 161, but by doing so, they landed Brugler’s 105th-ranked player and fourth-rated running back in the fifth round. It’s no secret that the Chiefs’ running backs room was a player short entering the draft, so adding Johnson fills a need and also should fit into the offense well with his pass-catching skills. Johnson seems like a good value considering most mock drafts had him going a round or two earlier. — Jesse Newell
Las Vegas Raiders: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Pick: No. 101, Round 4
McCoy was the consensus top player at his position and a top-20 prospect overall when he declared his intentions to enter the NFL. But concerns about his knee arose in the weeks leading up to the draft. Teams that medically evaluated McCoy discovered a cartilage issue unrelated to a surgically-repaired ACL; it’s widely believed that he’ll need surgery soon, if not immediately. McCoy said that he feels good and getting surgery will be “strictly based off what the team wants me to do.” If the Raiders share McCoy’s sentiment, he could immediately be an impact starter in a secondary in need of playmakers. — Sam Warren
Los Angeles Chargers: Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State
Pick: No. 105, Round 4
Thompson ran the fastest 40 of any player at the combine at 4.26, and he was Brugler’s No. 82 overall player. The Chargers got him in the fourth round. Speed is typically quite coveted in the draft, and Thompson is more than just a straight burner. He has real upside as a route runner, particularly when setting up cornerbacks with double moves on the outside. He can create after the catch. Size was likely a factor in the fall. Thompson measured at just over 5-9 and weighed in at 164 pounds. Mike McDaniel is the exact schemer and play caller who can maximize this skill set, though. Thompson called pairing up with McDaniel a “perfect fit.” I agree. — Daniel Popper
Los Angeles Rams: Tim Keenan III, DT, Alabama
Pick: No. 232, Round 7
Landing Keenan in the seventh round was a nice outcome for someone Brugler had a sixth- or seventh-round grade on. It isn’t flashy to take a run-focused nose tackle, but it’s a sneaky depth role on this team. The Rams remade their run defense last year with the addition of nose tackle Poona Ford, but it saw a noticeable drop-off whenever he left the field. With Ford turning 31, it makes sense to rotate in a 23-year-old to ensure the unit remains sound. After a draft of early reaches, this was a solid move after the Rams made just one pick in Rounds 4-6. — Nate Atkins
Miami Dolphins: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Pick: No. 12, Round 1
I think there’s a very real chance Proctor becomes a legitimate franchise tackle, which means the Dolphins might have gotten a steal at No. 12. If he takes the professional work ethic to heart, Proctor has the talent to be a dominant lineman. If we’re re-drafting this class in a few years, I’d be surprised if Proctor didn’t turn himself into a top-five caliber player in the class. — Howe
Minnesota Vikings: Max Bredeson, FB, Michigan
Pick: No. 159, Round 5
The fifth-round pick has the potential to pick up where C.J. Ham left off, providing serious contributions on offense and special teams. This offseason, Minnesota added former Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith as its assistant head coach. With his arrival comes several new ideas. Notably, the 2025 Dolphins used a fullback on almost 25 percent of their snaps last season, the second-highest rate in the NFL. In Bredeson, who can line up at tight end and in the backfield, the Vikings hope to have found their version of Alec Ingold. Expect Bredeson to contribute early and often. — Alec Lewis
New England Patriots: Gabe Jacas, Edge, Illinois
Pick: No. 55, Round 2
It wasn’t great value in that they had to trade up to land him, but getting a player at No. 55 who perfectly fits the attitude Mike Vrabel wants for his team is impressive work. Were there players available at that point who are better pure pass rushers? Yes. Were there some who could stuff the run better than Jacas? For sure. But none fit as well with the Patriots, where Vrabel wants his edge rushers to play with a high motor and nasty demeanor. — Chad Graff
New Orleans Saints: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
Pick: No. 42, Round 2
Miller, taken in the second round, could give the Saints a long-term player up the middle that they’ve lacked for years. New Orleans has been typically weak against the run and none of the free agents it has added lately has been able to fix those ills. Miller’s stats might not be over the top given his role. Making life tough for opposing running backs, though, could make life easier defensively. — Larry Holder
New York Giants: Arvell Reese, LB/Edge, Ohio State
Pick: No. 5, Round 1
It might sound counterintuitive to put the No. 5 pick as the best value, but given Reese’s rankings coming into the draft it was hard to imagine he’d be available for the Giants. He was Brugler’s top overall prospect. Even general manager Joe Schoen didn’t anticipate the linebacker would be available. Coach John Harbaugh said, “I think Joe probably ran about a zillion mocks … and this one didn’t come up.” Reese will start off at inside linebacker alongside Tremaine Edmunds, but will be used in unique ways and add to an already formidable pass rush. — Charlotte Carroll
New York Jets: D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
Pick: No. 50, Round 2
Ponds is a diminutive cornerback (5 feet, 8 inches) who doesn’t play like he’s small. Snagging him in the second round — after trading back six picks to No. 50 and picking up an additional fourth-round pick, no less — was a smart move and a great value at that spot. There really aren’t many knocks against Ponds … other than his size. Many inside the league believe he would have been a first-round pick if not for his height. — Zack Rosenblatt
Philadelphia Eagles: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Pick: No. 20, Round 1
Lemon was a top-15 player on the Eagles’ draft board. They traded up from No. 23 to No. 20 to select him, but it’s difficult to suggest the two picks they gave up would have offered the Eagles greater value had they chosen to stay at No. 23 and missed out on the first-team All-American. At 5-11, 195 pounds, he offers the Eagles an inside-outside option. He led the FBS in first-down receptions in 2025 (50) and was the only Big Ten player with 500-plus yards after the catch. — Brooks Kubena
Pittsburgh Steelers: Gennings Dunker, G, Iowa
Pick: No. 96, Round 3
After the Steelers filled nearly every starting job in free agency, guard loomed as one of the biggest immediate needs. They addressed the position in a substantial way with Dunker. He was rated 71st overall on Brugler’s big board; the Steelers were able to select the powerful offensive lineman with position flexibility using pick No. 96. Beyond his big-board value, it was also a well-spent selection to find a possible Day 1 starter at the end of Round 3. — Mike DeFabo
Iowa’s Gennings Dunker participates in a drill during the NFL combine in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Stacy Revere / Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers: Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma
Pick: No. 107, Round 4
Hmm. Not a lot of options here. It’s either Romello Height or Halton, as everybody else was a little bit of a reach. Give me Halton, who might be a little undersized at 6-3, 293 pounds, but is athletic and was able to get off blocks against some pretty good competition at Oklahoma. He ran a 4.83 40-yard dash at the combine, and the explosiveness shows up on film. He rounds out a pretty formidable foursome inside for the 49ers. — Vic Tafur
Seattle Seahawks: Bud Clark, S, TCU
Pick: No. 64, Round 2
By the consensus big board, the Seahawks didn’t get great value with any of their first three selections. Jadarian Price (No. 47 on the big board), Clark (No. 77) and Julian Neal (No. 123) were selected a bit earlier than their consensus rankings projected. It would be unfair to deem any of those picks reaches, but they probably aren’t steals, either. That said, Clark and Neal will look like steals if they become impact players in Year 1. Clark has a clean path to the starting lineup, and if he winds up there, he’ll prove a very valuable pick. — Michael-Shawn Dugar
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Keionte Scott, CB, Miami
Pick: No. 116, Round 4
If Scott does for the Bucs what he did in college, he will be much more valuable than a fourth-round pick is supposed to be. Especially last year, Scott made big plays, and his aggression and energy was contagious for Miami. He was probably the best defender on a team that played in the national championship game. Before transferring to Miami, Scott also returned punts for Auburn, leading the SEC with a 14.8 average in 2023. And he could have a ripple effect on the defense. If Scott can be the nickel corner, the Bucs can move Jacob Parrish outside, where he could compete with Benjamin Morrison and Zyon McCollum. — Dan Pompei
Tennessee Titans: Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State
Pick: No. 165, Round 5
Faulk was the best value in relation to Brugler’s board — Faulk was his No. 15 prospect and the Titans moved up to 31 to get him — but the answer here is Singleton at 165. Brugler had him at 163, which makes him one of three Titans draftees rated higher than they went. This was good patience for the Titans, grabbing an explosive player who could easily beat out Tyjae Spears and be the third-down back in 2025. If Singleton can improve his vision and patience, it might be him and a workload partner TBD in the Titans backfield in 2026. — Joe Rexrode
Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Pick: No. 7, Round 1
Styles may have been among the best values of the entire draft. The former Ohio State captain was one of the most athletic and versatile players available, and he fills a significant need for Washington as a defensive leader and playmaker. Pre-draft projections for how the top 10 would unfold were especially erratic this year, but the chances of Styles being available at No. 7 seemed unlikely to many — including the Commanders. (Brugler ranked Styles as the fourth-best prospect overall.) Styles, as general manager Adam Peters said, “checks every box” for the Commanders and should be a long-time staple of their defense. – Nicki Jhabvala