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 (and the overall biggest steal of the conference). Of course, there will be some honorable mentions at the end since it is not always definitive.
This article compiles winners from all our NFC Divisional Articles. Check them out here: AFC East, AFC South, AFC West, AFC North.
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AFC North: Pittsburgh Steelers’ Will Howard, QB, Ohio State (Round Six)
It is mind-boggling that Will Howard slipped to the sixth round.
The Steelers might have stolen their future quarterback after teams drafted their second and third string.
Howard showed immense poise in the biggest moments this year for Ohio State. In fact, most of his best games came against the best defenses in the country. Watching Howard command his team to a championship was awe-inspiring.
He can make all the throws Arthur Smith will ask of him, and Howard brings an excellent athletic floor for his size.
Every interview shows how amazing he is as a locker room guy, especially his appreciation for Pittsburgh and the opportunity.
A few others dropped for personality or off-the-field issues, but Howard did not have those concerns. He was a true steal.
AFC South: 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. His X build, experience vs Hunter, and overall talent level are unmatched for his draft spot. 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.
AFC East: New England Patriots: Bradyn Swinson, EDGE, LSU (Round Five)
The Patriots had arguably the best draft in the NFL. Even with concerns over Will Campbell’s arm length, the whole class just oozed with talent.
Swinson fell, per sources, due to having some less-than-positive interviews and some hiccups in college. He got into an altercation with Oregon HC Dan Lanning, leading to his departure to LSU. When at LSU, he was suspended for half a game, apparently due to blatant tardiness.
Those two facts would explain why a fringe first-round talent would slip, but it does not explain why he did so to round five.
Getting a starting-quality edge is hard as it is. Finding one on day three of the draft is nearly impossible. Great job to the Patriots for making this happen.
AFC West: Kansas City Chiefs’ Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State (Round Five)
Royals missed some time with an ankle injury.
Even when he was “80%,” he showed up and dominated in Mobile at the Senior Bowl. No one could cover him. Imagine Royals at 100%, and it is nearly impossible to believe he fell that far. Not many could handle the intensity required on a hurt ankle, but Royals did.
The Chiefs can utilize Royals’ skillset immediately as a burner and after-the-catch threat. He perfectly complements the weapons on the roster. Some even say that the Utah State product is the better version of former second-round pick Skyy Moore.
This article is not going to claim that comparison, but better production than Moore is expected. That is rare for a fifth-round pick.
Biggest AFC Steal: Bradyn Swinson, EDGE, Patriots
Swinson’s 60 pressures and 9 sacks in the SEC cannot be ignored. The leadership of Mike Vrabel washes away any doubt of the personality concerns getting in the way of continued production.
Not many teams can secure quality rotational edge rushers on day three, yet the Patriots may have acquired a starting-quality one.
Given the weakness of New England’s edge corps going into the draft, Swinson could easily start right away if the opportunity presents itself.
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