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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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2. Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs

Drafted: Round 3, Pick 86
Position: Running Back
Season Statistics: 16 games played, 272 attempts, 1,327 yards, 8 touchdowns; 53 receptions, 455 yards, 3 touchdowns

Alvin Kamara won Rookie of the Year, but no rookie running back was better on the ground than Kareem Hunt. In fact, no running back was more productive on the ground during the 2017 season than Hunt—whether rookie or otherwise.

Thus, while Kamara may have received the hardware, Hunt has a stellar case for being the true steal of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Hunt won the rushing title in 2017, amassing 1,327 yards on an average of 4.9 yards per carry. He tied for the league lead with 12 runs of 20 yards or more, and ranked fourth to Le’Veon Bell, Todd Gurley, and Jordan Howard in first downs via runs (60).

Kamara ran for the most yards per carry in the NFL, but Hunt’s 4.9 may be equally impressive considering he ran the ball 152 more times than his fellow rookie in 2017.

It’s also worth noting that Hunt was sixth amongst rookies in receptions and 10th in receiving yards. He had six games with at least 100 rushing yards, two games with at least 150 rushing yards, and 10 games with at least 100 yards from scrimmage.

Throw in the fact that Hunt committed just one fumble all season as a runner, and he has a strong case for being robbed of the Rookie of the Year award.

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