When studying past drafts, it's always interesting to find draft steals that slipped through the cracks for one reason or another. In some cases, players fall due to a lack of traits. In other cases, it could be concerns related to game-film review that leads to a slide, or injury or maturity concerns.
Let's take a look at my favorite picks from each round in the 2016 NFL Draft based on either value or fit with their respective teams.
Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss (Miami Dolphins)
Drafted: Round 1, 13th overall
Pre-draft projection: Top-6 pick
Summary: Tunsil was the best player in the draft, in my opinion. If his slip down the draft board was only due to the his leaked video and not due to anything medically, then the Dolphins might have landed a future Pro Bowler at the left tackle spot.
Tyler Boyd, WR, Pitt (Cincinnati Bengals)
Drafted Round 2, 55th overall
Pre-draft projection: Round 2
Summary: Boyd and the Bengals could be the perfect match. The Bengals already have a vertical threat in A.J. Green. Boyd gives them a possession receiver with the ability to make contested catches. When Green is being double-teamed, Boyd has the ability to rack up a lot of catches, which is something the Bengals didn't have before.
Le'Raven Clark, OT, Texas Tech (Indianapolis Colts)
Drafted: Round 3, 82nd overall
Pre-draft projection: Rounds 1 or 2
Summary: Clark has the traits of a first-round pick, but the inconsistent tape of a third-rounder. Clark wasn't able to work much on technique in Texas Tech's hyperdrive offense. He should grow by leaps and bounds with more coaching and experience. The Colts might have grabbed their left tackle of the future in the third round. That is tremendous potential value.
Tyler Higbee, TE, Western Kentucky (Los Angeles Rams)
Drafted: Round 4, 110th overall
Pre-draft projection: Round 4
Summary: While I had players with higher grades come off the board in the fourth round (Hasaan Ridgeway, Willie Henry and Kenneth Dixon), Higbee is a terrific fit for the Rams in that round. With Jared Goff needing to find a safety blanket that he can grow with as he acclimates to life in the NFL, Higbee offers a target with nice size, separation and "after-the-catch" ability. Higbee's stock did not appear to be affected much by his April arrest.
Jordan Howard, RB, Indiana (Chicago Bears)
Drafted: Round 5, 150th overall
Pre-draft projection: 2nd/3rd
Summary: I'm sure there were some concerns about the injuries that Howard sustained during the season, but he is a talented runner who can handle the heavy lifting for Jeremy Langford. With Langford and Howard rolling downhill for four quarters, the Bears can ask much less from the erratic Jay Cutler.
Harlan Miller, CB, Southeastern Louisiana (Arizona Cardinals)
Drafted: Round 6, 205th overall
Pre-draft projection: 5th
Summary: While Le'Raven Clark had first-round traits and third-round tape, Miller had fifth- or sixth-round speed with second-round tape. In another defense, the quick-twitch cornerback's long speed and lack of strength might be a bigger concern, but in Arizona, he can concentrate on being a ballhawk in off coverage and making plays on the ball, which is his forte.
Charone Peake, WR, Clemson (New York Jets)
Drafted: Round 7, 241st overall
Pre-draft projection: Round 3
Summary: Despite his outstanding size and speed, Peake slipped in this year's draft due to lingering concerns over a knee injury he suffered in 2013. The late rounds are the perfect spots to swing for the fences, and with Peake's size, speed and ability to learn under Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, both parties might have struck gold.
Follow Lance Zierlein on Twitter @LanceZierlein.
