With The First Pick
Fansided

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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NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 17: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints in action against the New York Jets at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 17, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 17: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints in action against the New York Jets at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 17, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

3. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints

Drafted: Round 3, Pick 67
Position: Running Back
Season Statistics: 16 games played, 120 attempts, 728 yards, 8 touchdowns; 81 receptions, 826 yards, 5 touchdowns
Pro Football Focus Grade: 86.8

The New Orleans Saints pieced together one of the best rookie classes in NFL history. They swept the Rookie of the Year awards, Ryan Ramczyk is already a borderline star at offensive tackle, and Marcus Williams had an excellent season at safety.

One could make a fair case that the most explosive player of the group was running back Alvin Kamara—the 2017 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Much like fellow breakout running back Kareem Hunt, Kamara was drafted in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He produced less than 1,000 yards from scrimmage for the Tennessee Volunteers during the 2015 and 2016 seasons, and was thus overlooked off of production alone.

Whether or not you believe he was the best rookie in 2017, most would agree that he would be a top-10 draft pick if teams could do it over again.

Kamara produced 1,554 yards and 13 touchdowns from scrimmage during his remarkable rookie season. He split carries with Mark Ingram, but even with just one 100-yard game on the ground and one 100-yard game as a receiver, his production was prolific.

Kamara ran for 6.1 yards per carry, had seven games with 100-plus yards from scrimmage, and was the ultimate change-of-pace player for an 11-win team.

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