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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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 30: Kicker Evan McPherson #2 of the Cincinnati Bengals hits the game-winning field goal in overtime against the Kansas City Chiefs to win the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

No.1: Evan McPherson, Kicker, Cincinnati Bengals (RD: 5 PICK 149)

Joe Burrow gets credit as the quarterback who went into Arrowhead and knocked off Patrick Mahomes. But, the person who made the winning score was a fifth-rounder from Florida. Evan McPherson’s rookie season put the NFL world on notice, as he and his troop of Tigers found themselves minutes away from a Super Bowl title.

Though the season ended with disappointment, it’s hard to believe how fortunate Cincinnati was to land a confident yet disciplined kicker.

This past postseason, McPherson was 14-of-14 on playoff field goals and set the record for most field goals made by a rookie. He also tied the record for most field goals made in a single postseason.

In the regular season, he was 28-of-33 on field-goal attempts (84.8%), including 9-of-11 (81.8%) on attempts that were 50+ yards. One season doesn’t define a career, but as of right now, McPherson may have been the biggest steal of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Again, luck plays a role, and in the year of the Tiger, Cincinnati was undoubtedly fortunate.

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