The 2024 NFL Draft has come and gone, but the real excitement begins now. As teams start to build their rosters and prepare for the upcoming season, it’s time to take a closer look at some of the biggest steals from Day 3 of the draft.
The biggest steals of the 2024 NFL Draft
Reunited in Denver
The Broncos got a steal when they picked up Oregon’s Troy Franklin at Pick No. 102. Franklin is a long, slender vertical threat who ranked above the 80th percentile among college receivers in overall receiving grade, separation percentage, and yards per route run. He decimated opposing defenses on his way to a 98.5 grade against zone coverage. Despite having a smaller frame, Franklin can get stronger and has flashed at the catch point. Reuniting with Bo Nix in Denver should only help ease his transition to the next level.
Troy Franklin, a long, slender vertical threat
Panthers Keep Stacking Weapons
The Panthers continued to surround Bryce Young with talent, adding the versatile and explosive Ja’Tavion Sanders with the first pick of the fourth round. Sanders is a sure-handed option who can make plays down the field, earning a 91.3 receiving grade in contested-catch situations and not recording a drop on 67 targets in 2023. Sanders adds to a TE room that includes Tommy Tremble and Ian Thomas, giving him an inside track to see significant snaps year one.
Ja’Tavion Sanders, a versatile and explosive weapon
Falcons Add Versatility to Defensive Front
A popular Day 2 prospect, Brandon Dorlus is a bit of a tweener but offers a ton of juice as a pass rusher. He tallied 46 total pressures and 11 quarterback knockdowns in 2023 for Oregon, leading to a 75.7 pass-rush grade. After adding Ruke Orhorhoro and Bralen Trice on Day 2, the Falcons continued to add versatility and athleticism to their defensive front depth for new head coach Raheem Morris.
Brandon Dorlus, a tweener with pass-rushing juice
Ravens Get Value at Cornerback
T.J. Tampa’s slide stopped at Pick No. 130, giving the Ravens two of PFF’s top-eight cornerback prospects — the other being Nate Wiggins. Earning a 78.3 coverage grade in 2023, Tampa allowed just one touchdown and forced an incompletion or interception on 16.3% of targets into his coverage. With Marlon Humphrey established as a starter, and Wiggins likely getting first crack at starting reps opposite him, Tampa offers upside as a depth piece who can develop into a solid starter down the road.
T.J. Tampa, a cornerback with upside
Chiefs Get Value at Safety
The Chiefs got great value compared to both the PFF big board and the consensus board, adding a downhill safety with a nasty mentality and some positional versatility. Jaden Hicks racked up 34 defensive stops in 2023, which ranked fifth among Power Five safeties, to go along with two interceptions and four forced incompletions. He gives defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo another chess piece to work with in the secondary.
Jaden Hicks, a downhill safety with versatility
Bills Get Value on the Interior
A consistently dominant force for Georgia over the past three seasons, Sedrick Van Pran has allowed just one sack and two quarterback hits across more than 1,400 pass-protection snaps. He peaked as a run blocker in 2023, posting a 76.9 grade in the Bulldogs’ multiple run scheme. With Mitch Morse out in Buffalo, there is a legitimate chance Van Pran pushes for a starting gig at center. At worst, he provides positional versatility across the interior.
Sedrick Van Pran, a dominant force on the interior
Eagles Get Value at Linebacker
A legacy pick for the Eagles, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. will follow in his father’s footsteps in Philly. PFF’s No. 4-ranked linebacker in the class, Trotter earned a two-year 91.3 overall grade and a 92.1 coverage grade over the past two years as well despite some limitations in space. He has great football intelligence and instincts to mask some of those deficiencies, and his work between the tackles could allow him to see the field in year one.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr., a linebacker with great instincts
Cowboys Get Value at Cornerback
Caelen Carson brings all the intangibles necessary to succeed as a cornerback at the next level but needs to stay healthy and improve his awareness at the catch point. Carson posted an 83.6 overall grade from 2021 to 2023, displaying physicality and good play diagnosis, which led to a career-high 83.4 run-defense grade in 2023. The Cowboys desperately needed reliable depth behind DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs, and Carson checks all the boxes to develop into a solid pro.
Caelen Carson, a cornerback with intangibles
Lions Get Value on the Interior
A premier pass protector, Christian Mahogany allowed just 14 pressures and one sack on 711 pass-blocking snaps from 2021 to 2023. He thrives in close quarters in the run game, posting a 75.0-plus run-blocking grade in both inside-zone and duo schemes, making him a seamless fit for the Lions, who want to get vertical quickly. Detroit’s interior starters seem set for now — Graham Glasgow, Kevin Zeitler, and Frank Ragnow — but Mahogany is clearly the next man up if any of them were to go down.
Christian Mahogany, a premier pass protector
Chargers Get Value at Wide Receiver
Brenden Rice represents a 100-pick value when comparing his PFF big board rank to his draft slot. Joining a thin receiving corps in Los Angeles, Rice has a clear opportunity to contribute in a rotational role as soon as year one if he can stay healthy and adjust to the speed and physicality of the NFL game. Rice was one of Caleb Williams’ favorite targets and racked up 16 receiving touchdowns over the past two seasons. His 117.3 passer rating when targeted since 2022 ranked ninth among all college receivers in that time.
Brenden Rice, a wide receiver with upside
These are just a few of the biggest steals from Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft. As teams start to build their rosters and prepare for the upcoming season, it’s clear that these players have the potential to make an impact from day one.
