2016: The Year Of The Draft Steal!

#Warriors

Each and every year, there are plenty of great players who are picked late in the draft and still pan out into amazing prospects. These guys exceed expectations and fight for their roles in the NFL and, despite their draft position, turn into massive threats at their respective positions. 2016 was a gigantic year for this. Some of the best players in the league came out of later rounds in the 2016 NFL draft.

Who was the biggest draft steal from the 2016 NFL Draft?

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”With the 38th pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins select Xavien Howard, Cornerback, Baylor”

Coming out of Baylor, Xavien Howard was seen as a very inconsistent prospect with a “feast-or-famine” playstyle. Scouts raved over his evident ball skills and tremendous disruption at the catch point. The bad side of his tape was his questionable long speed and his handsy and panicky approach when tested. Howard had a relatively weak combine but did do enough to keep his 2nd to 3rd round grade. He drew comparisons to guys like Jamell Fleming but also Stephon Gilmore. The Dolphins would trade up from pick #38, giving the Ravens a 4th round selection, to go up and grab Xavien Howard. He was the sixth cornerback off the board.

Despite suffering a knee injury on the last day of minicamp and missing most of the preseason, the Dolphins named Xavien Howard a starting corner alongside Byron Maxwell to begin the regular season. After a promising first four weeks, Howard would suffer another knee injury in practice which would keep him out for Week 5 through to Week 14. He finished his rookie season with 40 tackles and six breakups in just eight games. The Dolphins made the playoffs with a 10-6 record in 2016 and Howard would play lights out in the teams only playoff game, recording 5 tackles, 2 breakups and his first career interception. Howard would be named the starting cornerback for the 2017 season. He played well throughout the season but especially in Week 13 against the Denver Broncos where he would record two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. The following week, Howard would intercept Tom Brady twice. He finished his second season with 48 tackles, 13 breakups, 4 interceptions, 1 sack and a defensive touchdown.

Entering 2018, the league was on notice that there could be a superstar in Miami. This didn’t limit Howard’s abilities however as he would nab two picks in three different games, helping him to the league lead in interceptions for the season. What is more impressive is that Howard achieved the tied lead for interceptions on the season while playing in just 12 games after suffering a knee injury during a Week 13 matchup with the Buffalo Bills. Howard would be named to his first Pro Bowl for his efforts and would also be named second-team All-Pro. Howard signed a five-year, $76.5 million contract extension at the start of 2019, making him the highest-paid cornerback in the league. However, Howard would take a step back in 2019, only recording one interception in his seven games and even getting ejected in Week 3. He suffered another knee injury in Week 8 which would sideline him for the rest of the season.

Howard hasn’t had an illustrious career but he has shown major flashes of being a top corner in the NFL. If he could become a bit more consistent and less aggressive, he could easily take the league by storm.

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”With the 47th pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints select Michael Thomas, Wide Receiver, Ohio State”

Coming out of Ohio State, Michael Thomas was seen as a “boom-or-bust” receiver. Scouts raved over his “triangle numbers” (height/weight/speed) as well as his ability to be a major redzone threat and his run-after-catch skills. However, like every other boom-or-bust guy, there were major flaws to his game, scouts identified this as his footwork and route running. Thomas has a relatively weak combine which led to him being slapped with a 2nd-3rd round grade and pro comparisons like Charles Johnson but also Dez Bryant. Teams had no idea what they were getting with Thomas. He would be picked with the 47th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. He was the sixth receiver off the board.

Entering 2016, Thomas was given a starting role alongside Brandin Cooks. In his first career game, Thomas would catch six balls for 58 yards which would be enough to keep him in his starting role. In Week 3, Thomas would catch his first touchdown and in Week 7, he would record his first 100-yard game. Thomas would finish an explosive rookie year with 92 catches for 1,137 yards and 9 touchdowns, enough to get him named to the All-Rookie team but he didn’t take home any awards. Thomas set franchise records for a rookie in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. Thomas came back as the WR1 in New Orleans after the team traded Brandin Cooks. He came in and dominated, recording 1,245 yards and 5 touchdowns on 104 catches. He was named to his first Pro Bowl and set the record for most catches in a receiver’s first two seasons. He helped lead the Saints to a playoff appearance where he dominated before the Minneapolis Miracle. Thomas would be ranked 81st on the NFL’s Top 100 list by his peers.

In 2018, Thomas finished the season with 125 receptions for 1,405 yards and nine touchdowns. He led the league in receptions and finished sixth in the league in receiving yards. He also set the Saints franchise record in receiving yards, ing Joe Horn’s 1,399 yards set in 2004. He was named to his second straight Pro Bowl and was named first-team All-Pro. This insane effort landed Thomas a five-year, $100 million contract extension with the Saints, a deal which he signed before the 2019 NFL season. Thomas finished the 2019 season with an NFL record 149 catches for 1725 yards and 9 touchdowns. Thomas was awarded AP Offensive Player of the Year, becoming the first wide receiver to win the award since Jerry Rice in 1993.

Thomas’ NFL career has been amazing so far. In four seasons, he has recorded an outstanding 470 catches for 5,512 yards and 32 touchdowns. We have definitely seen the boom side of Thomas.

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”With the 69th pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars select Yannick Ngakoue, Defensive End, Maryland”

Coming out of Maryland, Yannick Ngakoue was thought of as a work in progress, he had to be properly developed to unleash the scary potential that we could all see. Scouts raved over his athleticism, his quickness and his suddenness. However, they did have questions about Ngakoue’s small steps and not being able to win strongly at the line of scrimmage. He received comparisons to Jackson Jeffcoat and Jarvis Jones. Ngakoue would receive a 4th to 5th round grade even after performing well at the combine. Ngakoue would be selected at pick #69 in the draft, becoming the 7th defensive end off the board in 2016.

Ngakoue was named a backup defensive end to begin his rookie season. However, he would get a start in Week 2 and recorded the first forced fumble and sack of his career. He would snag his first interception in Week 4 against Andrew Luck. Ngakoue would finish his rookie season with 22 tackles, 8 sacks, 2 breakups, 1 interception and a forced fumble. He would be named to the All-Rookie team for his efforts. He would keep his starting role for 2017 and would destroy the Texans in the first week of the season, recording 4 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He would finish his second season with 30 tackles, 12 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries and a defensive touchdown. He would record a sack in the Jaguars’ playoff run in 2017. Ngakoue would be named to his first Pro Bowl as an injury replacement for his teammate Calais Campbell. He would be ranked 88th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

Ngakoue would continue his success in 2018, recording 28 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 33 quarterback hits and a breakup. Ngakoue would continue to solidify himself as a top rusher in the league. Ngakoue finished with 8 sacks, 41 tackles, 15 quarterback hits, four forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, six es defended, and an interception returned for a touchdown in 2019.

Ngakoue has outplayed expectations and developed into a star rusher in the league. His disruptiveness and athleticism will land him a huge contract this season, whether that is with the Jaguars or elsewhere.

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”With the 81st pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons select Austin Hooper, Tight End, Stanford”

Coming out of Stanford, Austin Hooper was labelled as a “move” tight end. Scouts raved over his ability to play inline or as a move tight end as well as his great hand-eye coordination and strong catch ability. However, scouts weren’t in love with his footwork or his physicality. Hooper received comparisons to Coby Fleener and Tyler Eifert and received a 3rd round grade from most sources. His combine was solid and he would go on to be picked with the 81st pick by the Atlanta Falcons and was the second tight end off the board.

Throughout training camp, Hooper competed with Levine Toilolo and Jacob Tamme for the starting Tight End role, a battle of which he lost. Playing as the third Tight End, he would see limited playing action throughout his rookie year. His first catch came in the 2016 season opener in the form of a 14-yard reception from Matt Ryan. In Week 4, Hooper caught his first touchdown . He would finish his rookie season 19 receptions for 271 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 14 games. He would score a touchdown in the Super Bowl. He started the 2017 season as the starting Tight End and had his first 100-yard game in the 2017 season opener, he also had an 88-yard touchdown in that game. Despite this incredible start, Hooper would finish with just 41 catches for 526 yards and 3 touchdowns.

His 2018 season is where the uptick began. Hooper would finish the year with 660 yards and 4 touchdowns on 71 catches which would solidify himself as a true threat for the Falcons. Hooper would be named to the Pro Bowl and an injury replacement for Zach Ertz. In 2019, Hooper would have his best season as a pro so far, recording 75 catches for 787 yards and 6 touchdowns and once again being named to the Pro Bowl, this time to replace George Kittle.

Hooper has proven to be a viable threat to a weak Falcons offense that had struggled to get off the ground in recent years. It will be interesting to see how he continues to develop and whether he will take another massive step in 2020, with Atlanta or elsewhere.

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”With the 135th pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys select Dak Prescott, Quarterback, Mississippi State”

Coming out of Mississippi State, Dak Prescott was seen as a capable backup who could have a chance to work into a starting role. Scouts raved over his build and his character and leadership while having concerns about his lack of awareness and his sloppy footwork in the pocket. Scouts compared Prescott to guys like Brett Hundley and Alex Smith and was given mixed grades but most people said 5th round. Prescott was picked up to be an insurance option for the Cowboys and, more specifically, Tony Romo but was ultimately thrown into the fire immediately.

Tony Romo went down with an injury in Week 3 of the Preseason, throwing Prescott into the starting role. It wouldn’t be until Week 3 that Prescott would throw his first touchdown but he was proficient in the previous games nonetheless. He wouldn’t throw an interception until Week 6, showing excellent poise and knowledge. Ultimately, Prescott would finish his rookie year with 3,667 ing yards, 282 rushing yards, 29 total touchdowns, four interceptions, and a 67.8% completion percentage which lead him to being named Rookie Of The Year as well as being named to the Pro Bowl and the All-Rookie team. He was also ranked 14th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017. Prescott finished his second professional season with 3,324 ing yards, 22 ing touchdowns, 13 interceptions, 357 rushing yards, and six rushing touchdowns, a far cry from the elite numbers he put together in the 2016 season.

In his third season, Prescott was named to the Pro Bowl as an alternate to replace Drew Brees after recording 3,885 ing yards, 22 ing touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 305 rushing yards and 6 rushing touchdowns. Prescott finished the 2019 season with 4,902 ing yards, 30 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions to go along with 52 carries for 277 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, proving himself to be a legitimate threat despite missing the playoffs.

Prescott should continue to take steps forward in 2020 and beyond and will more than likely get a deal done to be the Cowboys’ long-term starting Quarterback.

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These guys all show that it doesn’t matter where or when you are drafted, you can always make a huge impact. You don’t necessarily have to be a top pick to make it, all you need is some effort and some drive.

Never give up, no matter what happens.

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