With The First Pick
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NFL: The biggest steals of the 2017 NFL Draft

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 07: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates after a touchdown by eating Airheads candy on the sideline during the game against the Carolina Panthers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 07: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates after a touchdown by eating Airheads candy on the sideline during the game against the Carolina Panthers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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4. Marcus Williams, New Orleans Saints

Drafted: Round 2, Pick 42
Position: Safety
Season Statistics: 15 games played, 73 tackles, 4 interceptions, 7 passes defended
Pro Football Focus Grade: 86.8

If all you know about Marcus Williams is what transpired during the NFC Championship Game, then you missed out on an excellent rookie season. Joining Marshon Lattimore as rookies in a previously dreadful secondary, Williams helped turn the New Orleans Saints around on defense.

As a second-round draft pick who was overlooked 41 separate times, Williams was an unequivocal steal of a selection at the 2017 NFL Draft.

Pro Football Focus graded Williams as the No. 11 safety in the NFL—just barely behind Seattle Seahawks star Earl Thomas. He missed just two of a possible 22 tackles in run defense, and ranked fifth amongst safeties in tackles in the passing game.

What made Williams one of the best defensive rookies in recent memory, however, was his legitimate dominance in coverage.

Williams allowed one reception per 114.4 cover snaps—the second-best mark amongst any NFL safety. He ranked third amongst safeties in cover snaps per target and third in yards per cover snap at a downright absurd 0.13.

Perhaps most impressive of all: Williams allowed zero passing touchdowns and pulled down four interceptions during an under-appreciated rookie season.

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