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The 2023 NFL Draft has been completed, and each team made plenty of picks over the course of the three days. Some of those picks, the players they drafted, were steals where they got them and are going to be major impact players for the team. This series will go over each team’s steal of the draft, and analysts Marissa Myers and Cameron Sanderson provide them for the NFC East!
Dallas Cowboys: Deuce Vaughn, Running Back, Kansas State
After losing Ezekiel Elliott, it was clear this team would address the running back room at some point during the draft. They waited longer than most would have guessed, but the payoff may have been worth it. They were able to land star Kansas State running back Deuce Vaughn in the sixth round. Vaughn’s size had him undervalued in a strong running back class, which caused him to fall right into the Cowboys’ hands. “Double Deuce” is the most elusive back in the class, showing off his elite foot work and ability to find the gap in every game he played in. During his time in college, Vaughn rushed for 3,604 yards and 34 touchdowns in just three years. Deuce Vaughn has the potential to make an immediate impact in this Cowboys offense.
Philadelphia Eagles: Moro Ojomo, Defensive Tackle, Texas
Ojomo had the potential to go in the middle rounds, but instead he slid, and the Eagles were able to draft him in the seventh round. Ojomo was coming off a 2022 season in which he led the Big 12 in sack rate among defensive tackles with 2.0%, and was second in pressure rate among defensive tackles. He has shown how effective he is off the line with how he wins with his quick get-off to get into the backfield. With how he takes on blocks as well and uses good hand placement to shed blocks, he has also been a force against the run. While the Eagles drafted Jalen Carter as well, and already have Jordan Davis and Fletcher Cox, Ojomo has starting level potential if needed, making him an absolute steal in the seventh.
New York Giants: Jalin Hyatt, Wide Receiver, Tennessee
The New York Giants are one of the most wide receiver needy teams in the NFL. They were able to land Jalin Hyatt in round three, and it could be considered the steal of the draft. Hyatt is a first round talent that did not get nearly as much love in the draft as he should have. He is dominant in the deep game, never fearing to go up and grab the ball. He plays aggressive and pulls in balls with ease. His last season with Tennessee, he put up stats to remember. He went for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns in his last season as a Volunteer. If this success transfers over to the NFL, Jalin Hyatt will be more than worth the pick.
Washington Commanders: Chris Rodriguez Jr., Running Back, Kentucky
Brian Robinson Jr. dealt with a knee injury in January and Antonio Gibson dealt with injuries throughout the season while JD McKissic is no longer on the team. Getting depth at running back was a need, and not only did Washington address it, they got a high-level starter in the sixth round. Rodriguez finished his career at Kentucky with 3,644 rush yards, which is the third most in program history, and had 20 100-yard games over 46 games played, which is a school record. He brings a physical, efficient style of running to the Commanders’ running back room, a style of play they can rely on. With his vision, and workhorse potential, don’t be surprised if Rodriguez ends up cutting into Gibson’s carries and providing major value despite being a sixth round pick.
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