NFL Draft
4/26/25
9 min read
2025 NFL Draft: Ranking 9 Biggest Steals From This Year's Class
The 2025 NFL Draft has officially concluded, and it was as wild as we expected.
There were several shocking picks in Round 1, and some really talented players fell to Friday and Saturday evening. But which players fell a little “too” far this weekend? Here are nine players who are poised to be massive steals for their respective teams right away:
Ranking 9 Biggest Steals in 2025 NFL Draft
9. D.J. Giddens, RB, Kansas State – Indianapolis Colts (No. 151)
The Colts had a big hole behind Jonathan Taylor on the depth chart and desperately needed a better No. 2 running back. They found one in the middle of Round 5, selecting DJ Giddens at No. 151. Chris Ballard loves athleticism, and Giddens has it, running a 4.43 40-yard dash at 213 pounds.
Giddens averaged 5.97 yards per carry on 517 carries at Kansas State and was a second-team All-Big 12 selection during the 2024 season after rushing for 1,343 yards. He doesn’t always play up to his 4.43 speed, but he is a shifty running back with the traits to be a starter at the next level.
He’ll be given the chance to back up Taylor and could be a great spot starter when needed. The Colts stole a quality running back in the middle part of Day 3. Don't be surprised if he finds his way onto the field as a rookie and puts up quality numbers in Shane Stechien's offense.
8. Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss – Washington Commanders (No. 61)
Dan Quinn has a type at cornerback, and that type is Trey Amos. While he isn’t the most explosive athlete, Amos is a long, physical cornerback with no problem getting physical with opposing receivers. The Commanders have done a lot of work improving their cornerback room, and Amos figures to be a factor immediately.
Amos has a bunch of experience playing in the SEC with Alabama and Ole Miss, so we know he is battle-tested. He’s an outside cornerback only and is likely limited to a Cover 1/Cover 3 heavy scheme, and that’s likely why he fell to the bottom of Round 2. But it’s hard to find starting-caliber cornerbacks from the SEC with his length and physicality.
Quinn has an excellent track record of finding and developing cornerbacks (Trevon Diggs, Daron Bland, etc.), and it sure seems like he'll pull it off again with Amos.
7. Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame – Atlanta Falcons (No. 96)
It’s easy to understand why Watts fell in the NFL Draft. He measured under 6-0, 205 pounds and ran a 4.58 40-yard dash at Notre Dame’s Pro Day. He is a very average athlete with modest size, and because of positional value, Watts nearly fell out of the top 100 selections.
However, Watts is a playmaker, recording 27 pass deflections and 13 interceptions over the past two seasons. He has been one of the most productive defensive players in the country since 2023, and it’s hard to imagine that won’t continue in the NFL.
The Falcons clearly prioritize playmaking in the secondary after paying big money to Jessie Bates in free agency a few years ago. And now they get a defensive back who can play with Bates and/or potentially back him up.
6. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia – Baltimore Ravens (No. 27)
Safeties tend to fall during the NFL Draft because they just don’t hold the same positional value as wide receivers, cornerbacks, pass rushers, etc.
However, the Ravens have shown they are willing to take highly valued players at safety should they fall to them. They had great success with Kyle Hamilton during the 2023 draft, and they’ve done it again with Malaki Starks.
Starks was a three-year starter in Kirby Smart’s defense and was one of the only true freshmen to ever start in Athens. He’s incredibly reliable but also a playmaker and can be used all over the field. He is more of a true free safety, but that’ll allow Kyle Hamilton to return to his natural spot in the box.
It'll shock no one if Starks becomes one of the league's best safeties and should be an impact player immediately. And yet again, the Ravens grab a big-time playmaker with a bunch of experience, and all they did was sit back and let the draft fall to them.
5. Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State – New England Patriots (No. 69)
To say New England has had a mixed record regarding drafting receivers is an understatement, but to their credit, they continue to invest in the position each year, even after using several picks on receivers last year.
The hope is that Stefon Diggs can be their No. 1 receiver in 2025, with the expectation that someone can step up as the No. 2.
The best bet might be Kyle Williams, whose game resembles Emmanuel Sanders'. Williams was incredibly productive during the last two seasons, playing both on the outside and in the slot. His stock rose after a terrific Senior Bowl performance and running a 4.41 at the NFL Combine. Williams is not the most physical receiver, but his ability to create quick separation will be a perfect fit in Josh McDaniels’ offense.
Williams could have easily been a top-50 selection, but falling to the top of Round 3 was a terrific value for New England. Don’t be surprised if he ends up playing ahead of Ja’Lynn Polk right away, as his game makes more sense with Drake Maye.
4. Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Missouri – Dallas Cowboys (No. 44)
The Cowboys had arguably the biggest reach in Round 1, selecting Tyler Booker at No. 12. However, they had a much better Day 2, and it started with Donovan Ezeiruaku, who easily could have been a first-round pick.
Ezeiruaku was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year after leading the conference in tackles for loss (21) and sacks (16.5).
Ezeiruaku finished No. 22 on The Athletics’ consensus board, and several outlets had him ranked as a top-20 player. While Ezeiruaku is undersized, he is incredibly productive, and his length makes him a strong fit in Matt Eberflus’ defense.
Look for him to play on passing downs immediately and add more juice to the pass rush for Dallas.
3. Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama – Philadelphia Eagles (No. 31)
Howie Roseman did it again. He took an SEC defender widely regarded as a top-15 player in this class and scooped him up with the No. 31 pick. Campbell fell due to a shoulder injury, but he’s an incredibly gifted linebacker at his best when going downhill.
Campbell’s athleticism and versatility are perfect for today’s NFL, and he fits well into Vic Fangio’s defense. His game isn’t all that different from Zack Baun's, but with more athleticism and pass-rush prowess. Campbell will likely be a Day 1 starter in Philadelphia and can make their defense even more dynamic.
It’s no wonder that Philadelphia is among the best drafting teams in the NFL. They get so much value each year with every premium selection.
2. Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri – Chicago Bears (No. 39)
Did the Bears really need another pass-catching option after selecting Colston Loveland in Round 1? Of course not. But Luther Burden III was way too good of a player to pass up at this stage of the draft.
Going into the 2024 season, Burden was viewed as a potential top 10 pick after posting a 1,200-yard season as a sophomore in the SEC. A down season in 2024 pushed him to the second round, and the Bears scooped him up.
Burden’s game is similar to DJ Moore's coming out of Maryland, but he might be a better fit in the slot. He’s one of the best receivers after the catch we’ve seen to enter the draft in several years, and can be a weapon right away in Ben Johnson’s offense.
The Bears have done a fantastic job of loading up on offensive talent to surround Caleb Williams, and Burden should be an impact player right away in the NFC North.
1. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado – Cleveland Browns (No. 144)
There are several reasons why Shedeur Sanders fell, and we don’t have to get into all of them now.
However, the Browns' selection of Sanders in the fifth round is an all-time low-risk, high-upside move. Sanders wasn’t even the first quarterback the Browns selected (Dillon Gabriel), but he is now going to a team that is expected to have an open quarterback competition and will have no problem playing the best option.
Sanders might not have the highest ceiling, but his accuracy and anticipation make him a strong fit in Kevin Stefanski’s offense. He's at his best when throwing on the move, but does well throwing the ball in the short to intermediate parts of the field.
Falling to the middle of Day 3 might be the best thing that has ever happened to Sanders, and it could motivate him in several phases of his life.
And at this stage, there is no downside to this as the Browns can move on at a moment’s notice. Cleveland continues to take (multiple) shots at the quarterback position, and grabbing Sanders at this point just makes too much sense.
