The 2019 NFL Draft has come to an end and there were quite a few who slipped down further than expected. Who were the biggest steals of Day 3?
Now that the NFL Draft is finally over, it is time to take inventory on who went where and how well they will fit into their respective new “homes” as it were.
Many, like Kyler Murray or Nick Bosa, were expected to be where they were. Others, like DK Metcalf and Dwayne Haskins slipped further down than anyone expected. Those guys were first and second round picks, though.
We are talking about the biggest steals of Day 3, starting with a defensive end out of Texas.
The Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year for 2018 was drafted in the fifth round by the Houston Texans. Many expected him to go earlier, especially the Horn fans that were waiting so patiently for the first Texas player to be picked off the board. He finished the 2018 season with 45 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks. His tackles for loss and sack numbers were good enough for second in the Big 12.
While his talent still seems raw as it were, he has the tools and the athletic ability along with the physical stature to be an NFL defensive end. He seemed strong and polished at Texas and with the right coaching, which he will get on defense in Houston, he could emerge as one of the better defenders in the AFC.
This projected fourth rounder fell a bit, but is widely considered a steal for Houston who is looking to keep their defense as strong as they can, especially now that DeShaun Watson has the offense operating at the same capacity.