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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Curt Popejoy

6 biggest steals on the new ESPN 3-round mock draft

ESPN put out a new three-round mock draft authored by a tandem of their NFL draft writers. Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates teamed up to hit all 100 picks in the first three rounds of the 2024 NFL draft. Here are the biggest steals from the first three rounds.

TE Brock Bowers to Broncos at No. 12

ATHENS, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 11: Head coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs speaks with Brock Bowers #19 prior to the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Sanford Stadium on November 11, 2023 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Denver could have gone with a quarterback here but Bowers is a generational talent you don’t pass on for a second-tier quarterback.

CB Kool-Aid McKinstry to the Ravens at No. 30

Dec 31, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry (1) blocks a pass intended for Kansas State Wildcats wide receiver Malik Knowles (4) during the second half in the 2022 Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports

This is a very good cornerback class at the top but the more we watch Kool-Aid McKinstry the more we think he’s the most starter-ready of the group.

DT Maason Smith to the Texans at No. 42

Sep 4, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Louisiana State Tigers defensive tackle Maason Smith (0) celebrates a play during the first half against the Florida State Seminoles at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

Make no mistake, most draft pundits are too low on Smith but we love this pick.

C Jackson Powers-Johnson to the Raiders at No. 44

Oct 21, 2023; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) signals against the Washington State Cougars in the 4th quarter at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-USA TODAY Sports

Landing a guy who is going to start for 10 years and rack up multiple Pro Bowls this late is always going to be considered a steal.

CB Mike Sainristil to the Panthers at No. 52

Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Mike Sainristil (0) looks on during the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

I’ll call it right now when the draft actually happens, some team is going to take Sainristil in the first round. He’s that good.

S Jaden Hicks to the Jets at No. 72

Sep 23, 2023; Pullman, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars defensive back Jaden Hicks (25) celelbrates after. Play against the Oregon State Beavers in the second half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Washington State won 38-35. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

We come back to the Jets here as they snatch up another elite prospect, this time safety Jaden Hicks in the third round.

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