Underrated Draft Steals That Could Become Game-Changers

26 December 2025

Every draft class comes with its highs and lows—franchise saviors and head-scratching busts. But let’s not forget the real gems: those gritty, overlooked warriors who slip through the cracks like a whisper on draft night. They may not roar across headlines on Day 1, but give them a snap, a shift, or a shot, and suddenly they're rewriting scripts and flipping the script on expectations. Let's talk about the underrated draft steals that could become game-changers—the potential legends lurking in the shadows.

The Beauty of an Underdog: Why Draft Steals Matter

Have you ever cheered louder for a player picked in the late rounds than a top pick? You're not alone.

Draft steals are the sports equivalent of finding a $100 bill in a pair of old jeans. They're unexpected, thrilling, and usually proof that heart beats hype. These guys aren’t just fillers or practice squad hopefuls—they’re the soul of a roster. Think about Tom Brady (6th round, pick 199), Draymond Green (2nd round, 35th overall), or Kawhi Leonard (15th pick, mostly overlooked at the time)—all underestimated, all game-changers.

It’s not about where you start. It’s about how you grind.

So, let’s dive into the world of low picks with high potential—the players who slipped past the spotlight, but now, just maybe, are ready to light it up.

NFL Draft Sleeper Picks: The Future Playmakers

1. Aidan O’Connell – QB, Purdue (4th Round, 2023)

Let’s be honest—quarterbacks past Round 2 are either backup material or lottery tickets, right? But hold up. Aidan O’Connell might be the scratch-off that actually hits.

With poise in the pocket and a mind that’s quicker than a hiccup, O’Connell brings that old-school, Peyton-esque calm under pressure. Don’t let the low draft position fool you—this dude threw for over 9,000 yards and 65 touchdowns in college. And he reads defenses like they’re children’s books.

If the Raiders give him a real shot, he might just turn whispers into headlines.

2. Puka Nacua – WR, BYU (5th Round, 2023)

If Cooper Kupp is the symphony, Puka Nacua is the jazz solo—unpredictable, smooth, and totally magnetic.

Drafted 177th overall? That’s criminal. Nacua has a knack for the dramatic: toe-tap sideline catches, yards after contact, and a route tree that’s cleaner than your grandma’s kitchen floor. He’s already shown flashes of brilliance with the Rams, proving to be more than just a roster filler.

This man isn’t building a resume—he’s writing a novel. And Chapter 1 is already turning heads.

3. Isaiah Pacheco – RB, Rutgers (7th Round Pick, 2022)

You want heart? Speed? A truck stick that’ll make defenders think twice? That’s Isaiah Pacheco.

The Chiefs grabbed him practically for free in the 7th round. Now, he’s slicing defenses like sushi. He runs hard, straight up, no nonsense. And with Mahomes slinging it from the pocket, it’s easy to forget the chaos Pacheco causes on the ground.

Undervalued? For sure. Undeniable? Even more so.

NBA Late Picks Who Could Shine Bright

4. Jalen Williams – SG/SF, Santa Clara (12th Overall, 2022)

Okay, 12th overall may not scream “steal,” but when you compare him to higher picks who haven’t sniffed production, Jalen Williams looks like gold wrapped in bronze paper.

He glides on the court like he’s moving through air. A 6’6” guard with a 7’2” wingspan? Come on—that’s a cheat code. Silent but surgical, Williams has become a two-way assassin for the Thunder. He defends, distributes, and scores with the calmness of a monk.

One word: sleeper.

5. Herb Jones – SF, Alabama (2nd Round, 35th Pick, 2021)

Every team needs that glue guy. The one who isn’t flashy but always in the right place at the right time. Herb Jones is that guy—and then some.

Drafted in the second round by the Pelicans, Jones quickly became an elite perimeter defender. He’s the kind of guy who can give stars nightmares. Think Bruce Bowen with more bounce and better handles.

Everyone slept on Herb. Now he’s shutting down their dreams.

MLB’s Hidden Gems: More Than Just Farm System Fillers

6. Spencer Steer – INF, University of Oregon (3rd Round, 2019)

If baseball had a version of the Swiss army knife, Spencer Steer would be it.

Originally drafted by the Twins but now playing for the Cincinnati Reds, he’s the kind of guy who brings quiet storms. Multiple positions? Check. Power at the plate? Check. Clutch hitting in high-leverage moments? Double check.

He’s not a guy you build marketing campaigns around—until suddenly, he’s the reason your team's above .500 in August.

7. Jeremy Peña – SS, Maine (3rd Round, 2018)

Following in Carlos Correa’s footsteps is like trying to fill Shaq's shoes, but Peña didn’t flinch. Drafted in the third round, he wasn’t projected to be the next big thing.

Fast forward to 2022, and he’s outdueling Correa, taking home a Gold Glove and ALCS MVP honors. He’s got swagger, athletic range, and a bat that knows when to speak up.

If you didn’t know his name, now you do.

NHL Prospects: Silent Operators on Ice

8. Jesper Bratt – LW, Sweden (6th Round, 2016)

Bratt was drafted so late, it almost looked like the Devils ran out of picks and just rolled a dice.

But since lacing up his skates in the NHL, he’s been electric. Speed for days, hands like silk, and the kind of vision that turns defensemen into traffic cones. He’s steadily put up points like a top-line winger, all while wearing the underdog label proudly.

Don’t blink, or you’ll miss his next highlight.

9. K’Andre Miller – D, New York Rangers (22nd Overall, 2018)

Now hear me out—he’s a first-rounder, yes, but 22nd overall still counts as “overlooked” when you see how good he’s become.

Miller is what happens when size meets skill, and they high-five. He’s 6’5”, skates like a forward, and plays defense like it’s a personal mission. He disrupts plays, joins the rush, and has a cannon from the blue line.

A top-10 talent picked outside the top 20? That’s a steal.

What Makes These Players So Special?

Here’s the thing: talent alone doesn’t make a player a game-changer. It’s grit. It’s resilience. It’s that chip-on-the-shoulder, I’ll-show-you mindset. The overlooked bring hunger to the table, and hunger—my friend—is the ultimate motivator.

These steals often:

- Outwork their draft position. They hustle like rent’s due tomorrow.
- Play with fire. Energy? Intensity? Always on.
- Stay humble. They know nothing's guaranteed.

They turn adversity into an advantage and doubt into fuel.

Lessons From Draft Night Surprises

So what can we, the fans, take away from all of this?

Well, don’t count someone out just because they weren’t a top pick. Sports are full of surprises, and sometimes the most significant difference-makers are the ones nobody saw coming.

It’s also a reminder that scouting is an art as much as it is a science. Stats and drills only reveal so much. What truly matters? Heart, effort, and the will to rise.

Future Stars Still Flying Under The Radar

Don't think the draft gods are done dealing diamonds. Every year, someone rises from obscurity. Want a few names to keep tabs on?

- Zach Evans (NFL, Rams) – Running back with scary upside.
- Leonard Miller (NBA, Timberwolves) – A raw force with finesse on the rise.
- Brett Baty (MLB, Mets) – Corner infielder with home run potential.
- Devon Levi (NHL, Sabres) – Goalie who plays like a seasoned vet.

Write these down. These aren't just players. They're future stories waiting to be told.

Final Thoughts: Underdogs, Unleashed

There’s something inherently magical about a draft steal. It’s David vs. 32 Goliaths. It’s the beautiful chaos of sports—the idea that greatness isn’t always found under the brightest lights. Sometimes, it’s buried deep in the draft board.

So, next time you're watching a late-round pick trot onto the field, ice, or court—don’t shrug. Clap. Cheer. Smile. Because you might just be witnessing the start of something legendary.

After all, stars aren't always born in the spotlight. Sometimes, they rise in the shadows.