NFL Draft: Washington & New England land some of 2021's biggest steals

The NFL Draft is first and foremost about making the most of first-round selections so rosters are supplemented with prospects who can have a transformative impact on their team.

But the best general managers are able to identity first-round stars and unearth gems on days two and three.

There was plenty of value to be had in the 2021 draft, which was extremely deep at several key positions, including quarterback, wide receiver and cornerback.

And several personnel chiefs did an excellent job of drafting potential bargains who can improve their team's odds of success in the coming season.

But which prospects represented the best value in this year's class? Using Stats Perform data, we look at the biggest steals on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.

Dyami Brown & Dax Milne - Washington Football Team

Washington did not make a move up to land a franchise quarterback but they ensured that, regardless of whether it is Ryan Fitzpatrick or Taylor Heinicke at quarterback, they will have an exciting cast of young pass catchers to throw to.

Brown gives Washington one of the best downfield threats in the draft and they got him with the 82nd overall pick in the third round. That is a bargain price for a receiver who led all Power 5 and Group of 5 wideouts with an average of 17.30 burn yards per target (minimum 50 targets).

He was fifth in burn yards per route (4.67) and was open on 75.6 per cent of his targets while leading Power 5 and Group of 5 wideouts with an average depth of target of 18 yards.

Washington further bolstered the receiving corps with the franchise's final pick, taking Zach Wilson's top target at BYU last year, Dax Milne.

Milne was fourth in burn yards per route (4.68) and burn yards per target (15.27) and got open on 84.6 per cent of his targets. If that ability to separate can translate to the NFL, he will be an incredible value pick at 258th overall.

By adding Brown and Milne to a group of receivers that already includes Terry McLaurin and Curtis Samuel, Washington general manager Martin Mayhew did an excellent job of putting weapons around their quarterbacks and did so without spending premium picks.

Elijah Mitchell - San Francisco 49ers

The Niners doubled up at running back in the draft, an unexpected decision but a potentially astute one given Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr and Wayne Gallman are all free agents in 2022.

Trey Sermon was the headliner in that sense, San Francisco trading up for him in the third round, but Mitchell could prove to be just as impactful.

Mitchell ran the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds at his pro day and has the potential to replace Mostert as the Niners' burner in the backfield.

The Louisiana-Lafayette back was 14th among Power 5 and Group of 5 runners with at least 100 carries with 6.18 yards per attempt, while he ranked third in yards after contact per attempt (3.23).

Kyle Shanahan has proven he can get consistent production out of a variety of his backs during his career and San Francisco's investment in Mitchell with their final pick in the sixth round could soon look extremely smart.

Creed Humphrey - Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City's offensive line remodel was completed with the selection of Humphrey with the 63rd overall pick in the second round.

The Oklahoma center had been considered a fringe first-rounder by some but ended up being the third player at his position off the board as the Green Bay Packers took Ohio State's Josh Myers one pick before him.

Yet the numbers overwhelmingly favour Humphrey, who allowed just four hurries on 255 pass protection snaps last season for a pressure rate of 1.6 per cent.

Myers, by contrast, allowed 13 pressures on (12 hurries and 1 knockdown) on 190 such snaps, a pressure rate of 6.8 per cent.

The Packers going with Myers over Humphrey allowed the Chiefs to snag a plug-and-play center at essentially a third-round value. Patrick Mahomes should be a very happy man.

Ronnie Perkins - New England Patriots

Another Oklahoma prospect that went undervalued, the Patriots were able to wait until the 96th overall pick in the third round to select an extremely well-refined edge rusher in Perkins.

Perkins did not test brilliantly but any athletic shortcomings did not hinder him during his college career, Perkins winning consistently with violent hands and showing the closing speed to get to the quarterback in a hurry.

That ability was borne out by his numbers. Across the Power 5 and Group of 5, Perkins' pressure rate of 26.9 per cent was fifth among edge rushers with at least 100 snaps and 75 pass rushes last season.

So thankful for coach Belichick and this opportunity

He was even better defending the ground game, ranking second in run disruption rate (21.2%) behind Oklahoma team-mate Isaiah Thomas.

Perkins brings a well-rounded skill set to a defense looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2020. He will be a steal if he replicates his college impact in the pros.

Jason Pinnock - New York Jets

The Jets focused on offense with their early selections in the draft, but they did give new head coach Robert Saleh some players to mould on defense.

Saleh is renowned for getting the most out of his defenses, having done so in 2019 and 2020 with San Francisco.

And in fifth-round pick Pinnock he now has a cornerback with intriguing physical traits to develop.

Pinnock has long arms and a large wingspan and brings impressive production to the pros, registering three interceptions and five pass breakups in nine games last season.

The average depth of target against Pinnock was 15.9, yet he allowed receivers to get open on just 42.9 per cent of his targets. Only two Power 5 defenders with at least 100 snaps at outside corner and a depth of target average of 15 or more did a better job of preventing receivers from getting open.

He did allow a disappointing 13.84 burn yards per target but with his ability to prevent separation and make plays on the ball, Pinnock can grow into a starter for a Jets secondary that has been too porous for too long.

Jabril Cox - Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys appear set for a complete makeover at linebacker, having drafted Micah Parsons in the first round and then Cox with the 115th overall pick in the fourth.

And the versatile Cox could prove to be just as valuable an asset as former Penn State star Parsons despite their difference in draft status.

Having transferred from North Dakota State to LSU for the 2020 season, Cox's burns allowed percentage of 34.3 was bettered by only one Power 5 linebacker with over 200 coverage snaps.

Cox was tied for fifth in the FBS for interceptions by linebackers, recording three in his sole season with Tigers, while he also excelled as a pass rusher, his pressure rate of 36.8 per cent 15th among Power 5 players at his position with a minimum of 200 snaps.

The Cowboys may want more of an impact from Cox against the ground game -- he had a run disruption rate of just 3.8 per cent -- but defense in 2021 is predominantly about stopping the pass. Whether it is rushing the passer or covering receivers, Cox has more than illustrated his worth in doing just that.