Before the 2021 NFL Draft, analysts and pundits were going gaga over the incredible bounty of top-flight talent available in the first round. This draft class is incredibly prolific, and more analysis than normal went into it, given that several teams at the top had needs at multiple relevant positions.

These were headlined by the San Francisco 49ers and the 3rd overall pick: would they go for Trey Lance, Mac Jones, or Justin Fields? Would the Cincinnati Bengals opt to protect quarterback Joe Burrow, or give him a clear number one option at wide receiver? Questions like these abound all the way up until the draft itself, and many were surprised by what actually went down.

That said, plenty of talent ended up slipping down the draft order, either due to need or ancillary questions, resulting in spectacular steals from teams that never expected to get such a blessing.

These are the three biggest draft steals from the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft:

3. Detroit Lions, 7th Overall: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

You read that right. Even as the 7th overall pick, Penei Sewell was an absolute boon to the Detroit Lions. Many thought that he'd go to either the Bengals or the Miami Dolphins, just a pick or two earlier. Outside of Kyle Pitts, Sewell has the highest upside of any non-quarterback in this draft class.

If you replay the Lions' war room after taking Sewell, you'll see plenty of hugging, fist pumping, and crying. That's because Sewell is by far the best lineman in this draft. For a team that has a talented but immobile quarterback in Jared Goff, and an intriguing young running back in D'Andre Swift, Sewell brings immediate safety and time for them to generate offense.

Sure, there were plenty of weapons available at the 7th overall pick, but Sewell is a top-5 prospect in this rookie class at worst, so the Lions couldn't have done better by choosing to take him instead–need or not.

2. Chicago Bears, 11th Overall (from New York Giants): Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

Justin Fields could have been taken second overall. In fact, they'll hide the records, but analysts in 2020 were allowing him to challenge Trevor Lawrence as the best overall prospect in the 2021 NFL Draft.

But for whatever reason, Zach Wilson's intriguing arm, Trey Lance's upside, and Mac Jones' pre-snap abilities helped them to leapfrog Fields, resulting in a huge slip from the top. But even if the New York Jets' didn't take him second overall, the Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, and hell, even Philadelphia Eagles (traded with the Dallas Cowboys for the 10th overall pick) have legitimate questions at the quarterback position.

Fields has a solid argument as the best quarterback talent in this rookie class. He is wildly athletic, and best of all, built like a $5 steak. He's not the type to get pushed around by anyone, and with his talent, no one will dare to try.

The Bears gave up a lot to get him this 2021 NFL Draft, surrendering four picks to the New York Giants so they could move up to claim his talents. But outside of Trevor Lawrence, Fields is easily the most pro-ready quarterback in this class with a high ceiling to match, and odds are that other clubs will be kicking themselves that they didn't take him when they had the chance.

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1. Indianapolis Colts, 21st Overall: Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan

A lot of teams needed an edge rusher, and Kwity Paye was arguably the best. If nothing else, most fans and analysts were expecting the Giants to take him, either at 11th or 20th overall. Point blank: Paye shouldn't have fallen this far.

If Sewell is an athletic freak for the offensive line, Paye is the same thing for a defensive front, and the fact that Indianapolis took him despite their recent need to bolster the offensive line speaks volumes to his talent, particularly at the slot where he fell to.

In fact, a foil to Sewell is the perfect profile for Paye, as they line up very similarly across the board. Both present freakish size and athleticism, partnered with incredible motors. They share shortcomings too, as they are completely forward-facing beasts that could stand to gain some skill and nuance to go with their prodigious physical gifts.

But Kwity Paye at 21st overall in the 2021 NFL Draft is tantamount to highway robbery. Again, plenty of teams need an edge rusher, and he enters the league as one of the best in the business.