Every pick has the chance to change a franchise. No matter the spot-first overall or Mr. Irrelevant-a player could flourish into a superstar.
This article highlights the biggest steal from each draft class in the AFC South (and the overall biggest steal of the division). Of course, there will be some honorable mentions at the end since it is not always definitive.
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Tennessee Titans: Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford (Round Four)
Ayomanor was a fan favorite this draft cycle.
The Stanford product had a near-perfect blend of speed, size, and fluidity. Knee injuries certainly played a role in his fall, but if they were that severe, Ayomanor would have slipped farther than round four.
If the concern is whether the Stanford product could play more than five years, then that is a good problem to have. Especially given the state of the Titans’ wide receiver corps, this pick made all the sense in the world.
Oh, and Ayomanor destroyed Jaguars’ cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter in their sole matchup (if you needed any more reason to love the pick).
Houston Texans: Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State (Round Three)
Choosing Noel is not due to him being a talent steal in the third round.
In fact, this was the proper range for him to go. The aspect that makes this pick an absolute steal is the instant chemistry it brings with second-round pick Jayden Higgins.
It is no secret—the Texans’ wide receiver corps is decimated. From the Tank Dell injury to Nico Collins being unreliably healthy to Stefon Diggs’ departure, Houston went from one of the best corps to one of the weakest.
Getting two dynamic weapons that have instant chemistry is a masterclass move.
Indianapolis Colts: DJ Giddens, RB, Kansas State (Round Five)
The run game is crucial in Indianapolis.
Redundancy at the running back position makes a ton of sense given its role. Giddens is a homerun-hitting threat that is perfect to complement Jonathan Taylor. With his insane 9.89 RAS score, the Kansas State product brings all the potential in the world.
Breakaway speed, insane short-range explosiveness, and a nose for the endzone—that is what Giddens provides off the bat.
If injury strikes Taylor, beware of this fifth-round pick going off and proving that he is far from a guaranteed backup.
Jacksonville Jaguars: LeQuint Allen (Round Seven)
James Gladstone had an interesting start to the draft with a massive trade-up for Travis Hunter. With so many needs, it was hard to think how he could fill them with the right value. Gladstone did.
Even his seventh-round pick could acquire noticeable snaps in year one. Allen is a premier third-down running back. His ability to receive the ball and block is a combination that the Jaguars do not have on the roster.
Here is an excerpt from an article on the site: “ The Syracuse product’s explosiveness was perfectly adequate, especially when combined with his ability to change direction. The burst and fluidity allowed Allen to create quick separation at a consistent rate. His blocking is Allen’s best trait, arguably. ”
Jacksonville might have solved its running back problem in the seventh round with Allen. What a steal.
Biggest Steal: Elic Ayomanor, WR, Tennessee Titans
Knee concerns or not, Ayomanor is a massive help to the Titans immediately. His X build, experience vs Hunter, and overall talent level are unmatched for his draft spot.
Keep an eye out for Ayomanor taking starting reps in 2025.
Honorable Mentions
There were lots of picks across most drafts that one would call ‘steals.’ Below are a few of the biggest for the AFC South that missed the top spot.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Wyatt Milum, OL, West Virginia (Round Three)
Milum is one of the best tackles in the country this year. His lack of arm length forces him inside, but his mobility and core strength are impeccable. The West Virginia product showed some hiccups transitioning inside at the Senior Bowl, but that is to be expected with a long-term tackle moving to guard. Milum could easily be the starting guard in the very near future.
Tennessee Titans: Jackson Slater, IOL, Sacramento State (Round Five)
Slater popped off at the Senior Bowl. No one expected him to remotely compete against a stacked defensive line group, and the Sacramento State product held his own and more. With only a one-year contract for Kevin Zeitler, an heir-apparent is needed, and somehow, the Titans found one in round five.
