Each team gets very fortunate in the draft every now and then getting a player of value to fall right into their hands later than expected. This here is a list of players that fell into later rounds/selections acceding to my rankings.
1. (+190) 51. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon, CB --> Selection: 241. Cleveland Browns
It's no surprise that Ekpre-Olomu fell into the later rounds, but 15 picks until the final selection seemed a little shocking. Before his ACL injury, Ekpre-Olomu was considered as one of if not the top cornerback in the draft class. That should mean something, right?
2. (+150) 30. Michael Bennett, Ohio State, DT --> Selection: 180. Jacksonville Jaguars
Normally when a player has first round grade potential he drops due to character or medical concerns. Well, in this case the Ohio State defensive tackle had no issues or concerns, but fell all the way to Jacksonville in the sixth round. I'm not sure why teams initially passed on him, but I can tell you that Jacksonville may have had the biggest steal of the draft when it's all said and done.
3. (+134) 82. Christian Covington, Rice, DT --> Selection: 216. Houston Texans
Covington went a little unnoticed during the draft process and still probably is to many that follow football, but the guy can play. Christian had some injury concerns which ultimately made him slip to the sixth round.
4. (+122) 117. Gerod Holliman, Louisville, S --> Selection: 239. Pittsburgh Steelers
I believe I was higher than most on Holliman's draft ranking, but you don't just get lucky in picking off 14 passes and leading the nation in that category. Holliman still has a lot of work to do in tackling and playing the field, but has potential to play immediately in the situation he fell into at Pittsburgh.
5. (+111) 74. Tre McBride, William & Mary, WR --> Selection: 245. Tennessee Titans
Tre McBride was a sleeper before the draft and still will be after and heading into the season. Having already selected Dorial Green-Beckham in the second round, it wasn't really expected for the Titans to select another receiver, but finding McBride in the seventh round it was a no-brainer to add another weapon to help out the rookie Marcus Mariota.
6. (+105) 32. Grady Jarrett, Clemson, Clemson, DT --> Selection: 137. Atlanta Falcons
7. (+97) 100. Derron Smith, Fresno State, S --> Selection: 197. Cincinnati Bengals
8. (+96) 53. Jay Ajayi, Boise State, RB --> Selection: 149. Miami Dolphins
9. (+85) 25. TJ Clemmings, Pittsburgh, OT --> Selection: 110. Minnesota Vikings
10. (+78) 61. Rashad Greene, Florida State, WR --> Selection: 139. Jacksonville Jaguars
11. (+77) 102. Max Valles, Virginia, OLB --> Selection: 179. Oakland Raiders
12. (+71) 40. Tre' Jackson, Florida State, OG --> Selection: 111. New England Patriots
1. (+190) 51. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon, CB --> Selection: 241. Cleveland Browns
It's no surprise that Ekpre-Olomu fell into the later rounds, but 15 picks until the final selection seemed a little shocking. Before his ACL injury, Ekpre-Olomu was considered as one of if not the top cornerback in the draft class. That should mean something, right?
2. (+150) 30. Michael Bennett, Ohio State, DT --> Selection: 180. Jacksonville Jaguars
Normally when a player has first round grade potential he drops due to character or medical concerns. Well, in this case the Ohio State defensive tackle had no issues or concerns, but fell all the way to Jacksonville in the sixth round. I'm not sure why teams initially passed on him, but I can tell you that Jacksonville may have had the biggest steal of the draft when it's all said and done.
3. (+134) 82. Christian Covington, Rice, DT --> Selection: 216. Houston Texans
Covington went a little unnoticed during the draft process and still probably is to many that follow football, but the guy can play. Christian had some injury concerns which ultimately made him slip to the sixth round.
4. (+122) 117. Gerod Holliman, Louisville, S --> Selection: 239. Pittsburgh Steelers
I believe I was higher than most on Holliman's draft ranking, but you don't just get lucky in picking off 14 passes and leading the nation in that category. Holliman still has a lot of work to do in tackling and playing the field, but has potential to play immediately in the situation he fell into at Pittsburgh.
5. (+111) 74. Tre McBride, William & Mary, WR --> Selection: 245. Tennessee Titans
Tre McBride was a sleeper before the draft and still will be after and heading into the season. Having already selected Dorial Green-Beckham in the second round, it wasn't really expected for the Titans to select another receiver, but finding McBride in the seventh round it was a no-brainer to add another weapon to help out the rookie Marcus Mariota.
6. (+105) 32. Grady Jarrett, Clemson, Clemson, DT --> Selection: 137. Atlanta Falcons
7. (+97) 100. Derron Smith, Fresno State, S --> Selection: 197. Cincinnati Bengals
8. (+96) 53. Jay Ajayi, Boise State, RB --> Selection: 149. Miami Dolphins
9. (+85) 25. TJ Clemmings, Pittsburgh, OT --> Selection: 110. Minnesota Vikings
10. (+78) 61. Rashad Greene, Florida State, WR --> Selection: 139. Jacksonville Jaguars
11. (+77) 102. Max Valles, Virginia, OLB --> Selection: 179. Oakland Raiders
12. (+71) 40. Tre' Jackson, Florida State, OG --> Selection: 111. New England Patriots