Who Got the Steal? Biggest 1st-Round Bargains of the 2024 Draft

Nate Wiggins

Nate Wiggins and the Baltimore Ravens are a match made in heaven. And it's nothing short of a miracle that the former Clemson standout fell into the Ravens' laps. 

Several teams ahead of the Ravens needed to replenish their secondary, but with the early picks playing out the way they did, Wiggins tumbled further than he deserved to fall. 

Wiggins' size doesn't come at the expense of speed, as the 6'1" cornerback dropped a 4.28 40-yard dash at the combine. If he can stay out of his own way, Wiggins could end up being the steal of the first round.

Quinyon Mitchell

Quinyon Mitchell should have been a top-ten pick. Hell, a world exists where he was drafted in the top five. Instead, he saw his draft stock stumble before the Philadelphia Eagles drafted Mitchell with the 22nd overall pick. It's a move that will be looked back upon as a catalyst for improving the Eagles' championship aspirations. 

Mitchell was easily the best corner in the NFL Draft. He had a standout career with the Toledo Rockets, totaling 82 tackles and six interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns, over his final two seasons. Combined with his 37 pass deflections, Mitchell flashed all the tools needed to excel professionally. 

The Eagles desperately needed to replenish their secondary, and Mitchell is an immediate upgrade. Teams will regret not taking Mitchell earlier for years to come. 

Dallas Turner

Arguably, edge rushers have become the NFL's hottest draft commodity over the past few years. From 2013 to 2023, a defensive end has been taken in the top ten in all but one of those drafts, including three of the top five picks back in 2022. However, it took until the 15th overall selection this year before an edge rusher was taken, and two more spots before the Minnesota Vikings ended Dallas Turner's fall. 

Turner comes from a long line of productive Alabama defenders. Turner was among the top edge rushers available, totaling 54 tackles and 10.0 sacks in his senior season with Alabama.

Many of the teams ahead of the Vikings should have taken Turner. Instead, they made another move up the board to steal one of the best bargains on the board. 

Terrion Arnold

Another Crimson Tide alum makes his way into the biggest draft steals of the opening round. Terrion Arnold projects to be a disruptive force in the Detroit Lions secondary for years to come and never should have fallen to the 24th overall position. 

Arnold does everything right. He's technically sound, makes good reads, and has the skill set to excel in the NFL. That was evidenced by his incredible stat line last season, in which he recorded 63 tackles, 6.5 for a loss, 1.0 sacks, 12 pass deflections, and a forced fumble. 

The Lions still needed upgrades to their secondary. Arnold falling to where they could move up and take him was a gift.

Nate Wiggins

Nate Wiggins and the Baltimore Ravens are a match made in heaven. And it's nothing short of a miracle that the former Clemson standout fell into the Ravens' laps. 

Several teams ahead of the Ravens needed to replenish their secondary, but with the early picks playing out the way they did, Wiggins tumbled further than he deserved to fall. 

Wiggins' size doesn't come at the expense of speed, as the 6'1" cornerback dropped a 4.28 40-yard dash at the combine. If he can stay out of his own way, Wiggins could end up being the steal of the first round.