NFL Draft: Top 5 steals from the talented class of 2021

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 22: Kicker Evan McPherson #2 of the Cincinnati Bengals lines up his game winning kick against the Tennessee Titans giving them a 19-16 win in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Nissan Stadium on January 22, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

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CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 29: Ja’Marr Chase poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell onstage after being selected fifth by the Cincinnati Bengals during round one of the 2021 NFL Draft at the Great Lakes Science Center on April 29, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

The 2021 NFL Draft featured quality selections near the top of the order, but a few late-round choices had successful individual seasons that bear mentioning.

Every year, a first or second-round rookie comes out of the NFL Draft and immediately impacts the league, and the 2021 class is no exception.

Players like Ja’Marr Chase and Micah Parsons gave their respective teams a reason to be thankful for their selections, with the former helping guide his team to the Super Bowl and the latter winning Defensive Rookie of the Year.

However, amidst all the hype, a few players were taken in the later rounds that were inserted into the lineups early and made the most of their opportunities. To qualify for this list, they had to be taken in the 3rd round or lower.

Unfortunately, there aren’t any defensive players on this list, which is a bit disappointing. But as of right now, there are none. A few honorable mentions that deserve mentioning include defensive backs Nate Hobbs of the Las Vegas Raiders and Thomas Graham Jr of the Chicago Bears.

So without further ado, let’s take a look at the five players who had a solid start to their NFL careers despite hearing their names called late.

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