NFL Draft Steals & Busts: Mid-Round Magic

0:00On April 21st, drafts can make or break NFL teams, and over the last five years from 2021 to 2024, we've seen epic steals. And painful busts across all 32 squads. Late round gyms like San Francisco's Brock Purdy, pick 260 second overall, turn Mr. 60. They're relevant into a playoff hero with five postseason wins. Detroit's Aiman Ross St. Brown at 112th, and the Rams is Puka Nakua at 177th shattered rookie records and lead there. Leagues and catches. Meanwhile, running backs prove gold in the middle rounds. Buffalo's James Cook from 63rd overall, top the league without the 621 rushing yards last season, earning 3 pro bowls. Tampa Bay's Bucky Irving at 125th led his team in rushing both years, totaling over 1,700 yards. Tide ends like Arizona's Traming Bride, 55th pick, became all pro leaders in receiving. Fans lit up over these hits, boosting offenses and defenses.

1:02Think Micah Parsons terrorizing QBs before his trade, or Patrick's retain snagging, defensive player of the year honors. But bust thung hard, especially quarterbacks, New York's Zach Wilson with 25 picks and 17 fumbles, San Francisco's Tray Lands. Starting just four games after trading three first rounders, and Jacksonville's Travon Walker, the top pick, yet to earn pro bowl nons. Rookies from 2024 are already flipping scripts. Washington's Jaden Daniels rushed for a record 891 yards as a rookie QB, winning offensive rookie of the year. Las Vegas tight-in Brock Bauer set rookie records with 112 catches. Yet early picks like Atlanta's Michael Penix Jr. sit at four wins and eight losses with a torn ACL, while others battle injuries. These picks ripple through contenders and rebuilds, showing draft value trumps position every time, teams that nail the mid rounds build dynasties that last. NFL News today, powered by AI bringing you what matters on game day.