Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant were two of the bigger steals from the 2014 NFL Draft after being mid-round picks.
Who could have a similar start to their careers out of the 2015 class of prospects? NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah believes you have to go with a certain Big Ten running back to start with in Minnesota's David Cobb.
"I think he's going to be an excellent value pick because the position is so deep in this draft. I could see him being the fifth or sixth running back chosen and could see him being a 1,000-yard runner very early in his career," Jeremiah said on NFL Network's "Path to the Draft." "I love the vision he has and the ability to make people miss. He is ultra productive."
Cobb is in the mix, along with a number of others, to be a mid-round pick who contributes early for some franchise. He was among the best tailbacks in college football this past season and played a big part in the Gophers' resurgence the past few years. He might not get as much publicity as some of his counterparts, but is no doubt a good player.
Another player who fits the bill of being a potential draft steal played his college ball a bit further west though.
"Wide receiver Nelson Agholor out of USC has all of the tools," analyst Solomon Wilcots said. "He has the ability, a real good mind and, more importantly, is a competitor."
Agholor's name has been shooting up draft boards in the past week or two, and it would not be all that surprising if he winds up going to early in the draft. He might be selected too early to even be disqualified as a "draft steal." On the other side of the ball, however, there is one name to watch out for.
"Grady Jarrett, a defensive tackle, keeps showing up every single game I watch. He refuses to stay blocked and is a penetration," Brian Baldinger added. "I think this is an incredibly disruptive player who has a lot of production. Day 1-type of production."
High praise for a few players who might not head into the league with high expectations given where they are projected to go in the draft.
You can follow Bryan Fischer on Twitter at @BryanDFischer.
