The 2025 NFL Draft is in the books, and despite what some people may say, this is a perfect time to take a stab at grading it. Ultimately, the draft is a game. Every team starts out with the same number of picks and has the same actions available to them to try and win — aka find the best players and build the best team. Like most games, there are historically proven strategies that tend to work better than others, but also times when it’s advantageous to go against convention.
We don’t know how the players who were picked will perform but we do know how teams did when it comes to general draft best practices, such as:
- Trading down and accumulating more picks is usually optimal. The draft is uncertain. More picks equal more chances to hit.
- Every team’s board is different than the general media consensus, but the general media consensus (or consensus big board) is actually just as good as the NFL at predicting which players will be successful. That means that players taken ahead of consensus are more likely to underperform than players drafted at or lower than their ranking — generally speaking.
- A successful player at a premium position is worth more than a successful player at a non-premium position. Therefore, it’s more optimal to use premium picks on premium positions.
- The goal of the draft is to make a team better, so needs are important. However, positions that seem stable can quickly become pain points, so a more long-term approach is generally optimal over sacrificing value for a short-term fix.
So with this in mind, we can evaluate the draft for all 32 teams even though it’s hardly just finished. Time will tell how it all actually turns out in the end.
San Francisco 49ers
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 1 | 11 | Mykel Williams | EDGE |
| 2 | 43 | Alfred Collins | DT |
| 3 | 75 | Nick Martin | LB |
| 3 | 100 | Upton Stout | CB |
| 4 | 113 | C.J. West | DT |
| 4 | 138 | Jordan Watkins | WR |
| 5 | 147 | Jordan James | RB |
| 5 | 160 | Marques Sigle | S |
| 7 | 227 | Kurtis Rourke | QB |
| 7 | 249 | Connor Colby | G |
| 7 | 252 | Junior Bergen | WR |
Grade: C+
Best Pick: QB Kurtis Rourke
Worst Pick: LB Nick Martin
This is an important draft for the 49ers, as with QB Brock Purdy‘s looming extension and some aging core players, it will be vital for San Francisco to hit on as many of its 11 picks as possible to rebalance the roster with cheap contributors, starters and ideally a star or two. I’m not sure if they met the moment. San Francisco reached against consensus with several selections, with the pick of Martin in the third round the most glaring. He ranked No. 192 on the consensus board and San Francisco took him well over 100 slots higher.
Martin tested quite well, for what it’s worth, and fills a major need at linebacker. Collins, Stout and Watkins were also significant reaches, though Collins also meets a notable need on the interior and brings some much-needed heft and athleticism. San Francisco snared West and James lower than consensus, meaning a double-dip at defensive tackle where the 49ers were weak and a boost to the depth at running back.
Williams has the highest upside of anyone the 49ers picked and fills a major need. But keep an eye on Rourke. He played all of last season on a torn ACL and had it repaired this past spring, keeping him from participating fully in the pre-draft process. He might have to take a de facto redshirt season and reps are hard to come by for third-string passers. However, he’s experienced, tough and has already beaten the odds by going from Ohio to Indiana to the NFL.
Chicago Bears
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 1 | 10 | Colston Loveland | TE |
| 2 | 39 | Luther Burden | WR |
| 2 | 56 | Ozzy Trapilo | OT |
| 2 | 62 | Shemar Turner | DT |
| 4 | 132 | Ruben Hyppolite II | LB |
| 5 | 169 | Zah Frazier | CB |
| 6 | 195 | Luke Newman | G |
| 7 | 233 | Kyle Monangai | RB |
Grade: A-
Best Pick: TE Colston Loveland
Worst Pick: OT Ozzy Trapilo
Chicago’s first two picks were aimed at giving HC Ben Johnson more firepower and weapons he can dictate matchups with against opposing defenses. Loveland is a skilled tight end who’s capable of not only holding his own as a blocker but also flexing out wide and winning one-on-one matchups. Burden is explosive, shifty and sturdy after the catch — similar in a lot of ways to Bears WR D.J. Moore. Combined with the team’s moves in free agency and the ingredients are in place for Chicago to take a big step forward.
The Bears’ success continued with a trade down with the Bills, giving them two second-round picks and a fourth in exchange for moving down 15 spots. That success was blunted a bit by reaching on Trapilo but the tackles were in high demand and the next one didn’t come off the board for another 50 picks. The biggest reach was Hyppolite, who wasn’t even ranked on the consensus board, but he put himself on the radar with a superb pro day, including a 4.42-second 40 and a sub-7-second three cone, so the reach makes some sense.
Frazier is another outstanding athlete, drawing comparisons to Seahawks QB Riq Woolen not just because he went to UTSA but because he has similar measurables. Monangai was the best value at 43 picks below his consensus value. He’s a tough, efficient runner who was pushed down because he didn’t test as a dominant athlete in a deep class.
Cincinnati Bengals
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 1 | 17 | Shemar Stewart | EDGE |
| 2 | 49 | Demetrius Knight | LB |
| 3 | 81 | Dylan Fairchild | G |
| 4 | 119 | Barrett Carter | LB |
| 5 | 153 | Jalen Rivers | OL |
| 6 | 193 | Tahj Brooks | RB |
Grade: C+
Best Pick: DE Shemar Stewart
Worst Pick: LB Demetrius Knight
Checking off as many needs as possible was the mission for the Bengals, hitting edge rusher, linebacker and guard with the first three picks and doubling back on the last two. Stewart is a fascinating prospect with almost limitless athleticism but a remarkable lack of college production. Depending on what happens with Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson, he could be thrust into a big role right away.
The Bengals reached on Knight, taking him 30 spots ahead of consensus. He’s a promising size/speed athlete at 6-3 and 245 pounds, but is already 24 and has some issues in coverage. Reaching on Knight forced the Bengals to reach on Fairchild 47 spots ahead of consensus to fill their need at guard. Cincinnati double-dipped at both guard and linebacker, which increased their odds of improving at both spots but limited the ability to address other needs.
Buffalo Bills
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 1 | 30 | Maxwell Hairston | CB |
| 2 | 41 | T.J. Sanders | DT |
| 3 | 72 | Landon Jackson | EDGE |
| 4 | 109 | Deone Walker | DT |
| 5 | 170 | Jordan Hancock | CB |
| 5 | 173 | Jackson Hawes | TE |
| 6 | 177 | Dorian Strong | CB |
| 6 | 206 | Chase Lundt | OT |
| 7 | 240 | Kaden Prather | WR |
Grade: B-
Best Pick: DE Landon Jackson
Worst Pick: Trading up
Buffalo’s issues on defense have been well-chronicled so it’s no surprise the Bills dedicated most of their draft efforts to that side of the ball. In particular, the Bills hit the defensive line hard by adding Sanders, Jackson and Walker. All three bring something a little different to the table.
Sanders has great length and pass-rushing potential. Walker was a unicorn in 2023 with 7.5 sacks at 6-7 and 331 pounds, but regressed statistically last year. Jackson is a powerful edge rusher with explosiveness and the best value the Bills got on the consensus board. However, the Bills sacrificed significant draft capital, a second, fourth and a fifth, to trade up twice with the Bears, once for Sanders and again for Walker.
Denver Broncos
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 1 | 20 | Jahdae Barron | CB |
| 2 | 60 | R.J. Harvey | RB |
| 3 | 74 | Pat Bryant | WR |
| 3 | 101 | Sai’vion Jones | EDGE |
| 4 | 134 | Que Robinson | EDGE |
| 6 | 216 | Jeremy Crawshaw | P |
| 7 | 241 | Caleb Lohner | TE |
Grade: C
Best Pick: RB R.J. Harvey
Worst Pick: OLB Que Robinson
Denver’s draft was curious. Cornerback wasn’t high on their list of needs but evidently the Broncos had too high a grade to pass on Barron for a running back or receiver, both bigger needs. They also had opportunities to trade down, which they spurned. Denver resisted trading into the early second for the second tier of backs and instead took Harvey. By the consensus, it was a significant reach of 40 slots, but Broncos HC Sean Payton has a solid track record with evaluating skill position players. Harvey is a diminutive but explosive runner who addresses the team’s biggest need.
Bryant was a significant reach as well, coming in at No. 163 on the consensus board. He’s a possession-style receiver in the same mold as Courtland Sutton and Devaughn Vele, so it’s unclear how much he’ll add to the passing attack. Payton’s track record merits some benefit of the doubt, however. Robinson was another reach, and while he’s got some grit to his game, he wasn’t particularly productive or athletic, the two biggest indicators of success for edge rushers.
Cleveland Browns
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 1 | 5 | Mason Graham | DT |
| 2 | 33 | Carson Schwesinger | LB |
| 2 | 36 | Quinshon Judkins | RB |
| 3 | 67 | Harold Fannin | TE |
| 3 | 94 | Dillon Gabriel | QB |
| 4 | 126 | Dylan Sampson | RB |
| 5 | 144 | Shedeur Sanders | QB |
Grade: B+
Best Pick: RB Quinshon Judkins
Worst Pick: QB Dillon Gabriel
There was a lot going on for the Browns during the draft, starting with their first-round blockbuster that was finalized while they were on the clock to move down from the No. 2 pick. In exchange for dropping three spots and passing on WR/CB Travis Hunter, the Browns got a highly-regarded player in Graham who plays a premium position, an extra second-rounder to take Judkins and a first-round pick in 2026. It’s a haul. Conventional wisdom says it’s a smash win for the Browns, who are probably multiple years away in their rebuild still.
But conventional wisdom was also on the Browns’ side when they traded down for a haul of picks and passed on the opportunity to take WR Julio Jones…
Setting that aside, the Browns put a lot of focus on the skill positions, with a side trip to get a linebacker at the top of the second. Schwesinger and Judkins don’t play premium positions but they’re highly regarded players who should be Day 1 starters. Judkins is a punishing runner with a well-rounded skill set, while Schwesinger is a high-end athlete who is a work in progress against the run but excels at some of the harder things the modern NFL asks linebackers to do. Fannin can be groomed behind veteran TE David Njoku, who’s in the final year of his contract, and helps give Browns HC Kevin Stefanski the personnel to lean back into the style of offense he’s familiar with.
Double-tapping the running back position with Sampson feels a little weird when the Browns had so many other glaring needs but I admit part of that is selfish on my part because I wanted to see him with a cleaner opportunity elsewhere. The real curious part for the Browns is how they handled the quarterbacks. Cleveland passed on Sanders six times, including once for a different quarterback in Gabriel, before finally giving up a sixth-round pick to trade up and take him. Obviously the pick looks like a huge value on the consensus board, yet the context seriously undercuts that if the Browns’ grade on Sanders was so low that they passed so many times.
Most evaluators saw Gabriel as a developmental backup. The Browns took Gabriel 74 picks ahead of consensus, indicating they had at least a slightly rosier view, but adding him along with Sanders puts both in a weird spot. There aren’t usually enough reps for three quarterbacks to have a competition in training camp, let alone four. In theory, it’s worth the upside to keep throwing darts at the quarterback position to try and land a competent player, but there’s a line to walk with rookies who need time to develop as well.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 1 | 19 | Emeka Egbuka | WR |
| 2 | 53 | Benjamin Morrison | CB |
| 3 | 84 | Jacob Parrish | CB |
| 4 | 121 | David Walker | LB |
| 5 | 157 | Elijah Roberts | EDGE |
| 7 | 235 | Tez Johnson | WR |
Grade: A
Best Pick: DE Elijah Roberts
Worst Pick: N/A
Tampa Bay has won the NFC South for four straight seasons and much of that success is due to the underrated drafting skills of GM Jason Licht. This class looks like it could be another solid batch. Morrison has some potential as an outside cornerback and Parrish is one of the feistiest players in the class. While his size likely relegates him to nickel, his speed and competitiveness gives him a chance to eventually develop into an outside corner eventually, like another former K-State alum, Lions CB D.J. Reed.
Roberts is thickly built and a pretty good mover for his size. Tampa Bay got him 18 spots below consensus and he should help the edge rusher rotation. Walker is another high-effort potential contributor. Johnson was another steal relative to the consensus, but he was an outlier due to weighing just 154 pounds at the Combine and running “only” 4.51 seconds in the 40. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him stick and eventually become a contributor as a slot receiver.
I didn’t feel like any players deserved to be highlighted as a worst pick but it is worth noting Egbuka enters a crowded depth chart with three other receivers solidly ahead of him in Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan. Still, Evans and Godwin are getting older, so this pick insulates Tampa Bay for the future.
Arizona Cardinals
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 1 | 16 | Walter Nolen | DT |
| 2 | 47 | Will Johnson | CB |
| 3 | 78 | Jordan Burch | EDGE |
| 4 | 115 | Cody Simon | LB |
| 5 | 174 | Denzel Burke | CB |
| 6 | 211 | Hayden Conner | G |
| 7 | 225 | Kitan Crawford | S |
Grade: B+
Best Pick: CB Will Johnson
Worst Pick: LB Cody Simon
Not many teams did as well with regards to getting value slipping down the board as the Cardinals did. Johnson is the big highlight after his slip from top ten prospect to mid-second round but four of Arizona’s seven picks were players taken notably lower than consensus. Nolen was also getting some top-ten buzz, so landing him at No. 16 was pretty good for Arizona and fills a big need for help in the front seven.
Johnson did slide for a reason, so there’s a reason to temper the optimism. Teams were wary of a lack of speed combined with a potential long-term knee condition. Still, he should help upgrade the Cardinals’ cornerback group right away, even if a second contract is an iffier proposition.
Simon was drafted almost 30 picks ahead of consensus, which is why he was highlighted here. Burke is also worth mentioning, as while he was once seen as a potential first-round pick coming out of Ohio State, he never quite put it all together. Arizona’s cornerback room is filled to the brim, as Johnson is the fourth Day 2 pick the team has used in the past three seasons.
Los Angeles Chargers
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 1 | 22 | Omarion Hampton | RB |
| 2 | 55 | Tre Harris | WR |
| 3 | 86 | Jamaree Caldwell | DT |
| 4 | 125 | Kyle Kennard | LB |
| 5 | 158 | KeAndre Lambert-Smith | WR |
| 5 | 165 | Oronde Gadsden II | TE |
| 6 | 199 | Branson Taylor | OT |
| 6 | 214 | R.J. Mickens | S |
| 7 | 256 | Trikweze Bridges | CB |
Grade: B-
Best Pick: RB Omarion Hampton
Worst Pick: WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith
Chargers GM Joe Hortiz worked for the Ravens before landing his current gig and the influences on his philosophy are apparent given how the team prized having a lot of picks this year. It’s worth questioning whether a few of those could have been allocated toward trades for potential high-impact veterans but the Chargers did address several needs. They hit running back, receiver, edge rusher, nose tackle and tight end, all which had varying degrees of urgency.
Running back was in a solid space after signing veteran Najee Harris in free agency but Hampton brings the same physical element as Harris while also having the speed to hit 40 or 50-yard runs in situations where Harris would 15 or 20. Caldwell has nose tackle size but quick feet, making him an interesting addition. Kennard doesn’t necessarily have a high ceiling but he should become a contributor to the edge rush rotation.
The two receiver picks were a little more questionable. Harris was productive in college but has some of the same pitfalls to his game as fellow Chargers WR Quentin Johnston. Both are enticing size/speed players who can be letdowns at the catch point. Lambert-Smith did not stand out in an underwhelming class. There’s a strong case to be made the Chargers would have been better off trading those picks for an established receiver like D.K. Metcalf.
Kansas City Chiefs
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 1 | 32 | Josh Simmons | OT |
| 2 | 63 | Omarr Norman-Lott | DT |
| 3 | 66 | Ashton Gillotte | EDGE |
| 3 | 85 | Nohl Williams | CB |
| 4 | 133 | Jalen Royals | WR |
| 5 | 156 | Jeffery Bassa | LB |
| 7 | 228 | Brashard Smith | RB |
Grade: A
Best Pick: Ohio State OT Josh Simmons
Worst Pick: Louisville DE Ashton Gillotte
There’s a lot to get excited about with the Chiefs’ draft. Simmons slid to the end of the first round due to a torn patellar tendon but Kansas City doesn’t need to press him into the lineup right away. They can afford to be patient and the reward might be a top-ten talent who can solve the longstanding left tackle issue.
The Day 2 picks were all reaches to varying degrees per the consensus big board but understandable ones. Norman-Lott and Gillotte add to the depth up front and are promising athletes, albeit a tick undersized. Norman-Lott was one of the most effective pass rushers in college football last year on a per-snap basis. Gillotte was the biggest reach but also the best athlete of the three. The Chiefs gave up a fourth-round pick in 2026 to move up for Williams and address the secondary.
Kansas City made up for it on Day 3 by getting surplus value on all its picks. Royals was expected to be a Day 2 pick but slid to the fourth. He’s got juice both as a deep threat and after the catch. Bassa is undersized but fast and should be a core special teams player at minimum. Smith slid nearly 90 picks past the consensus and is another electric playmaker for a Kansas City offense that can use them. He converted from receiver to running back and had a dynamite 2024 season at SMU during the playoff run.
Indianapolis Colts
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 1 | 14 | Tyler Warren | TE |
| 2 | 45 | JT Tuimoloau | EDGE |
| 3 | 80 | Justin Walley | CB |
| 4 | 127 | Jalen Travis | OT |
| 5 | 151 | DJ Giddens | RB |
| 6 | 189 | Riley Leonard | QB |
| 6 | 190 | Tim Smith | DT |
| 7 | 232 | Hunter Wohler | S |
Grade: B
Best Pick: TE Tyler Warren
Worst Pick: CB Justin Walley
Walley has to be listed as the worst pick here because he was one of the biggest reaches of the draft going by the consensus board. He ranked No. 194 and the Colts took him No. 80 overall — a remarkable 114-pick difference or nearly four rounds! That being said, there’s a lot to like once you dig into the player. He tested well, running a 4.4 flat 40, and had strong production in college. He seems like an interesting heir to slot CB Kenny Moore.
The Colts got good value with the rest of their draft, starting with Warren sliding to them in the dream scenario for pick No. 14. Tuimoloau adds to the edge rushing depth and Giddens gives the Colts an upgrade to the depth behind RB Jonathan Taylor. Leonard fits in great with the rest of the quarterback room given his rushing proficiency, Travis is a phenomenal athlete at 6-7 and nearly 340 pounds, and Wohler has the smarts and athleticism to outperform his draft slot.
Washington Commanders
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 1 | 29 | Josh Conerly | OT |
| 2 | 61 | Trey Amos | CB |
| 4 | 128 | Jaylin Lane | WR |
| 6 | 205 | Kain Medrano | LB |
| 7 | 245 | Jacory Croskey-Merritt | RB |
Grade: B
Best Pick: CB Trey Amos
Worst Pick: WR Jaylin Lane
It would have been ideal if the Commanders had been able to trade back at some point to add a few more picks but it wasn’t in the cards. The plan with Conerly seems to be to put him on the right side opposite LT Laremy Tunsil and to move 2024 third-round OL Brandon Coleman inside to guard after he punched above his weight as a tackle as a rookie. Conerly will need some time to adjust to the NFL but he’s remarkably athletic for a tackle.
Amos was a big steal after sliding 24 picks past where the consensus board ranked him. He’s big and can play press man, giving Washington a potentially much-needed boost at cornerback. Lane, Medrano and Croskey-Merritt are all good athletes who have a chance to contribute right away but Lane was the biggest reach of the group.
Dallas Cowboys
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 1 | 12 | Tyler Booker | G |
| 2 | 44 | Donovan Ezeiruaku | EDGE |
| 3 | 76 | Shavon Revel | CB |
| 5 | 149 | Jaydon Blue | RB |
| 5 | 152 | Shemar James | LB |
| 6 | 204 | Ajani Cornelius | OT |
| 7 | 217 | Jay Toia | DT |
| 7 | 239 | Phil Mafah | RB |
| 7 | 247 | Tommy Akingbesote | DT |
Grade: B+
Best Pick: CB Shavon Revel
Worst Pick: LB Shemar James
The Booker pick is being panned as a significant reach, which is fair. He went 20 spots ahead of consensus but that difference is more stark in the first round than it is later on. The Cowboys compensated, however, by landing Ezeiruaku 12 spots past consensus and Revel 31 slots. All three fill notable needs for Dallas, and if the end result is three starters in the first three picks, this draft will already be a home run.
Revel is still recovering from a torn ACL, which does add some risk, especially because the Cowboys are still banged up in the secondary. The Cowboys missed out on addressing needs at receiver and running back, though Blue is an interesting complementary piece in the backfield with his speed and pass-catching ability. James was taken 61 picks ahead of consensus.
Miami Dolphins
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 1 | 13 | Kenneth Grant | DT |
| 2 | 37 | Jonah Savaiinaea | G |
| 5 | 143 | Jordan Phillips | DL |
| 5 | 150 | Jason Marshall | CB |
| 5 | 155 | Dante Trader | S |
| 6 | 179 | Ollie Gordon II | RB |
| 7 | 231 | Quinn Ewers | QB |
| 7 | 253 | Zeek Biggers | DT |
Grade: C+
Best Pick: DT Jordan Phillips
Worst Pick: CB Jason Marshall
The biggest need for the Dolphins entering the draft was interior defender with just four players at the position on the 90-man roster. With a triple dip of Grant, Phillips and Biggers, Miami came away with its biggest need addressed and a promising trio of players from what was a deep class of defensive tackles. Grant is a dancing bear as a nose tackle with rare movement. Biggers is also enormous at 6-5 and 321 pounds. Phillips is “only” 6-1 and 312 but Miami got the most value on him at 25 spots below consensus.
Unfortunately the glaring needs on the Dolphins’ roster and their lack of financial flexibility forced them into some reaches and stretches to fill holes. Grant was taken ahead of consensus, and the Dolphins gave up the No. 98 pick in the third round to move up 11 spots in Round 2 for Savaiinaea. They did recoup a third-round pick from the Texans in 2026 but they gave up the No. 116 pick in the fourth, meaning they went 106 picks without a selection. That contributed to reaches like Marshall and Trader on Day 3 to fill needs in the secondary.
Philadelphia Eagles
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 1 | 31 | Jihaad Campbell | LB |
| 2 | 64 | Andrew Mukuba | S |
| 4 | 111 | Ty Robinson | DT |
| 5 | 145 | Mac McWilliams | CB |
| 5 | 161 | Smael Mondon Jr. | LB |
| 5 | 168 | Drew Kendall | C |
| 6 | 181 | Kyle McCord | QB |
| 6 | 191 | Myles Hinton | OT |
| 6 | 207 | Cameron Williams | OT |
| 6 | 209 | Antwaun Powell-Ryland | EDGE |
Grade: B+
Best Pick: OT Cameron Williams
Worst Pick: CB Mac McWilliams
Eagles GM Howie Roseman has established himself as one of the best executives in the sport in part because of his skills during the draft. Philadelphia generally does a good job of accruing value in trades and from players who slip further than expected. They don’t avoid trading up completely, but they generally are calculated and minimize their risk. For instance, Roseman moved up one spot to make sure he got Campbell, surrendering a fifth, but recouped the pick in a later move, along with picking up three more sixth-rounders in other trade-downs.
Campbell, Mukuba and Robinson have a chance to step into roles immediately and become starters by 2026. The really interesting part of the Eagles’ draft is the other seven picks they had on Day 3 and there could be some more high-end contributors from this pool. Williams has impressive athletic traits and could have worked himself much higher had he stayed in school another year. As it was, the consensus big board had him ranked as a late third or early fourth, and the Eagles got him over 100 picks lower than consensus. With time to sit and learn in the best offensive line developmental program in the NFL, the Eagles may have secured a long-term right tackle for the price of a sixth-round pick.
Powell-Ryland, McCord and Mondon are some other notable Day 3 steals for the Eagles. Their biggest reach was McWilliams who they took 81 spots ahead of consensus and ahead of nearly all the players mentioned so far, which suggests they see something promising in the former UCF corner.
Atlanta Falcons
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 1 | 15 | Jalon Walker | LB |
| 1 | 26 | James Pearce | EDGE |
| 3 | 96 | Xavier Watts | S |
| 4 | 118 | Billy Bowman Jr | S |
| 7 | 218 | Jack Nelson | OT |
Grade: C+
Best Pick: S Xavier Watts
Worst Pick: DE James Pearce
Giving up a future first-round pick to move up out of the second for Pierce was a huge overpay by the Falcons. They gave up more in value than the Giants did to move up for the pick ahead of them, and New York was moving up for a quarterback. Pearce has a ton of potential but also a lot of risk after sliding due to character concerns.
The bright side for the Falcons is they capitalized on slides by Walker, Watts and Bowman to add significant firepower to the defense. They still have to figure out how best to deploy Walker to maximize his unique talents and they traded up again for Watts, giving up a 2026 5th to take them down to just five picks next year already. The goal was to get better on defense in the draft this year, however, and the Falcons did accomplish that. Watts in particular is an instinctive safety with a knack for finding the ball who should fit in well.
New York Giants
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 1 | 3 | Abdul Carter | EDGE |
| 1 | 25 | Jaxson Dart | QB |
| 3 | 65 | Darius Alexander | DT |
| 4 | 105 | Cam Skattebo | RB |
| 5 | 154 | Marcus Mbow | OL |
| 7 | 219 | Thomas Fidone II | TE |
| 7 | 246 | Korie Black | CB |
Grade: B
Best Pick: OL Marcus Mbow
Worst Pick: QB Jaxson Dart
I feel conflicted about the Giants’ draft because I do think they got better and addressed some needs, especially along the line of scrimmage. I’m not sure it’s going to be enough to save the regime of GM Joe Schoen and HC Brian Daboll, however, and a lot of that traces back to the quarterback position. They signed two veterans in Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston and traded up for Dart to give them a young option to point to for the future. It reminds me of Matt Rhule‘s final year in Carolina when he brought in Baker Mayfield to compete with Sam Darnold and traded up to draft QB Matt Corral because he felt like he needed to have a young guy on the roster. It wasn’t a good year to need a quarterback, but it was too little too late. Dart isn’t equipped to be a savior, not as a rookie at least.
That said, the Giants landed two notable starters on defense in Carter and Alexander, and capitalizing on Mbow’s slide to the fifth could be huge for a team that’s been shaky up front for a while. Mbow was No. 63 on the consensus big board and the Giants got him over 90 picks later. Fidone is a sleeper to keep an eye on as well in a tight end room with no real established option.
Jacksonville Jaguars
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 1 | 2 | Travis Hunter | WR/CB |
| 3 | 88 | Caleb Ransaw | S |
| 3 | 89 | Wyatt Milum | G |
| 4 | 104 | Bhayshul Tuten | RB |
| 4 | 107 | Jack Kiser | LB |
| 6 | 194 | Jalen McCleod | LB |
| 6 | 200 | Rayuan Lane III | S |
| 7 | 221 | Jonah Monheim | C |
| 7 | 236 | LeQuint Allen | RB |
Grade: B
Best Pick: WR/CB Travis Hunter
Worst Pick: LB Jack Kiser
Jacksonville’s draft is going to be defined by its aggressive move up for Hunter, giving up the No. 36 pick and a first next year to go up three spots. That type of haul is usually reserved for quarterbacks since most position players don’t impact the game to that level. Jacksonville is making an expensive bet that Hunter, the first modern two-way player, is different.
First-year Jaguars GM James Gladstone was a little more disciplined for the rest of the draft, though there were some notable reaches on players like Ransaw and Kiser and he traded up for Milum. Coincidentally, Ransaw and Kiser were No. 140 and No. 141 on the consensus big board. Ransaw was the bigger reach but is the better athlete and higher-upside player compared to Kiser, who is one of the older players in this class.
Gladstone made a move to recoup a significant amount of draft capital by trading down with the Lions and getting three third-round picks, two of them next year. Tuten is also a potential standout pick as a blazing fast runner who’s hard to tackle and brings a unique dynamic to the team’s backfield.
New York Jets
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 1 | 7 | Armand Membou | OT |
| 2 | 42 | Mason Taylor | TE |
| 3 | 73 | Azareye’h Thomas | CB |
| 4 | 110 | Arian Smith | WR |
| 4 | 130 | Malachi Moore | S |
| 5 | 162 | Francisco Mauigoa | LB |
| 5 | 176 | Tyler Baron | EDGE |
Grade: B
Best Pick: CB Azareye’h Thomas
Worst Pick: WR Arian Smith
New Jets HC Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey had a solid first draft, filling big needs at right tackle and tight end with solid players with their first two picks. In the third round, Thomas slipped nearly a round past his consensus ranking due to questions about his long speed. He gives the Jets another potential starting option at outside corner.
New York moved up a few times on Day 3 for specific targets like Baron and Moore, the latter of whom was a value in the consensus ranking. Smith was the biggest reach, coming off the board nearly 150 picks before his consensus ranking. However, his speed brings a unique dynamic to the Jets’ receiving corps that they needed.
Detroit Lions
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 1 | 28 | Tyleik Williams | DT |
| 2 | 57 | Tate Ratledge | G |
| 3 | 70 | Isaac TeSlaa | WR |
| 5 | 171 | Miles Frazier | G |
| 6 | 196 | Ahmed Hassanein | EDGE |
| 7 | 230 | Dan Jackson | S |
| 7 | 244 | Dominic Lovett | WR |
Grade: C
Best Pick: G Tate Ratledge
Worst Pick: WR Isaac TeSlaa
It might be foolish to criticize the Lions’ drafting at this point since they’ve become so successful largely on the back of good drafting, but they might have finally tried to put too much dip on their chip. Once again, the Lions showed little regard for consensus ranking and instead tried to land “their guys” who fit the culture requirements to play in Detroit. It landed them tough, hard-nosed players like Williams and Ratledge in the first two rounds, both of whom fill notable needs and help keep the Lions strong along the line of scrimmage.
It also led the Lions to trade up three times, including giving up two third-round picks in 2026 to move up from No. 102 to No. 70 and take TeSlaa, who was No. 171 on the consensus big board and had 896 yards in two seasons at Arkansas (fellow Arkansas WR Andrew Armstrong, who went undrafted, had 1,904 in that same time span). TeSlaa did test extraordinarily well with a RAS score of 9.97 out of 10 but Detroit surrendered a huge amount of value to get him. The Lions also gave up a seventh and a fourth to move up for Frazier and Ratledge, though they got some picks back in a swap.
Green Bay Packers
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 1 | 23 | Matthew Golden | WR |
| 2 | 54 | Anthony Belton | OT |
| 3 | 87 | Savion Williams | WR |
| 4 | 124 | Barryn Sorrell | DE |
| 5 | 159 | Collin Oliver | LB |
| 6 | 198 | Warren Brinson | DT |
| 7 | 237 | Micah Robinson | DB |
| 7 | 250 | John Williams | G |
Grade: B+
Best Pick: WR Matthew Golden
Worst Pick: OT Anthony Belton
The Packers snapped their drought at receiver by taking Golden in the first round, and the pick also happens to be an incredible fit for their offense. Green Bay needed speed and a receiver capable of making defenses pay for playing man-to-man coverage. Golden is both blazing fast and technically promising. Or in other words, his game has both sizzle and steak.
Green Bay doubled down on receiver with Williams in the third, adding to what looks like a crowded room at the moment, but Williams is truly more like an offensive weapon than a pure receiver. He had 51 carries to 60 receptions at TCU in his final season and has a lot of similarities to WR-turned-RB Cordarrelle Patterson. Sorrell, Oliver and Brinson add to the Packers’ depth up front on defense.
The biggest reach was Belton, as the Packers selected him 37 picks ahead of consensus. However, he was one of the few remaining true tackles left on the board. It’ll be interesting to see what the Packers do with him. He’s a huge player and doesn’t fit the mold of what the team has often looked for in linemen. Some scouts think a move to guard might suit him best given his slower foot speed but the Packers might think he can stick at tackle as they continue to add pure unadulterated beef to their front five.
Carolina Panthers
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 1 | 8 | Tetairoa McMillan | WR |
| 2 | 51 | Nic Scourton | EDGE |
| 3 | 77 | Princely Umanmielen | EDGE |
| 4 | 114 | Trevor Etienne | RB |
| 4 | 122 | Lathan Ransom | S |
| 5 | 140 | Cam Jackson | DL |
| 5 | 163 | Mitchell Evans | TE |
| 6 | 208 | Jimmy Horn Jr. | WR |
Grade: B+
Best Pick: WR Tetairoa McMillan
Worst Pick: RB Trevor Etienne
It would have been hard to draw up the first two days of the draft better for the Panthers. They snared McMillan at No. 8 overall, surprising many who thought they were locked in on going defense with the pick. Instead, they landed a potential No. 1 option for QB Bryce Young who can help him continue to build on his late-season momentum. It’s a promising pick by the organization because it shows they understand setting Young up for success is the top priority.
Carolina does still need to do a better job of stopping opponents, so they went back to the well on defense on Day 2 and capitalized on a deep group of edge rushers. The Panthers traded up for Scourton, who slipped 14 picks past consensus, but Panthers GM Dan Morgan brilliantly didn’t give up any picks in the move. Instead, the Panthers and Broncos swapped four picks, with the Panthers moving up six spots in the second and 22 from the seventh into the sixth while dropping nine spots in the third and 11 in the fourth. They did have to give up a fifth to move up for Umanmielen but still snagged him 13 spots below consensus.
The biggest qualm I have is with the pick of Etienne in the fourth when there were still quality safeties on the board. The Panthers could use a pass-catching back but there were several others who remained on the board deep into Day 3. The depth of this running back class would have allowed them to wait and potentially gotten an equal or better player — SMU RB Brashard Smith is a personal favorite who also would have solved the team’s issues at kicker returner.
New England Patriots
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 1 | 4 | Will Campbell | OT |
| 2 | 38 | TreVeyon Henderson | RB |
| 3 | 69 | Kyle Williams | WR |
| 3 | 95 | Jared Wilson | C |
| 4 | 106 | Craig Woodson | S |
| 5 | 146 | Bradyn Swinson | EDGE |
| 6 | 182 | Andres Borregales | K |
| 7 | 220 | Marcus Bryant | OT |
| 7 | 251 | Julian Ashby | LS |
| 7 | 257 | Kobee Minor | CB |
Grade: A
Best Pick: C Jared Wilson
Worst Pick: LS Julian Ashby
New England has one of the more impressive hauls of the year on paper. It’s easy to see the first six or seven picks becoming starters as soon as this year, helping to reinvigorate the talent for a team that has grown stale over the past few years. Campbell will start at left tackle and at worst will be an excellent guard if he has to move inside. But the Patriots also got the draft’s top center near the end of the third round, 22 picks past consensus. If those two hit, the Patriots’ offensive line will be most of the way toward being a solid unit.
The team also added some juice to the skill positions with Henderson and Williams, both of whom are speedy threats with the ball in their hands. Henderson in particular should be an exceptional fit with OC Josh McDaniels, who has deployed receiving backs devastatingly in the past. Henderson is a coach’s dream with his high character and pass-protecting prowess along with his breakaway speed.
As far as negatives, even though it was late in the draft, selecting a long snapper is rarely advisable.
Las Vegas Raiders
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 1 | 6 | Ashton Jeanty | RB |
| 2 | 58 | Jack Bech | WR |
| 3 | 68 | Darien Porter | CB |
| 3 | 98 | Caleb Rogers | OT |
| 3 | 99 | Charles Grant | OT |
| 4 | 108 | Dont’e Thornton | WR |
| 4 | 135 | Tonka Hemingway | DT |
| 6 | 180 | JJ Pegues | DT |
| 6 | 213 | Tommy Mellott | WR |
| 6 | 215 | Cam Miller | QB |
| 7 | 222 | Cody Lindenberg | LB |
Grade: B+
Best Pick: RB Ashton Jeanty
Worst Pick: OT Caleb Rogers
The Raiders played the draft game well this year, trading down twice and picking up two extra third-round picks which they turned around and invested into the offensive line. Unfortunately Rogers was a notable reach more than 70 picks ahead of consensus, though that’s as much a reflection of the demand for offensive linemen than anything. Both he and Grant should be viewed as developmental players for the time being.
Las Vegas added some pizzaz to the skill positions with Jeanty, who should immediately become one of the faces of the franchise, and Bech. The Raiders double-dipped at receiver with Thornton who is 6-5 and runs a 4.3 flat 40. Add in Porter in Round 3 who’s 6-3 and also runs a 4.3, and it’s a draft Al Davis would be proud of.
The fun continues on Day 3 with a double dip at defensive tackle to shore up the depth there, including with Pegues who was athletic enough to have his own package on offense. Mellott is a sleeper to watch as he’s converting from quarterback at Montana State to receiver. Add him to the group of players who hit 4.3 in the 40.
Los Angeles Rams
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 2 | 46 | Terrance Ferguson | TE |
| 3 | 90 | Josaiah Stewart | EDGE |
| 4 | 117 | Jarquez Hunter | RB |
| 5 | 148 | Ty Hamilton | DL |
| 5 | 172 | Chris Paul Jr. | LB |
| 7 | 242 | Konata Mumpfield | WR |
Grade: B+
Best Pick: LB Chris Paul Jr.
Worst Pick: TE Terrance Ferguson
The Rams banked a first-round pick for next year by trading out of the first round with the Falcons. It’s not a class Los Angeles was particularly enthused with overall, as they traded up multiple times to make sure they got specific players. They also ignored the consensus to take Ferguson, as he was No. 85 on the consensus big board.
The Rams didn’t address some more prominent needs like cornerback, tackle or wide receiver but they did add some players who should quickly find roles. Hunter adds a more explosive element to the backfield than anyone currently on the roster. Paul joins a thin depth chart and was Los Angeles’ biggest steal relative to consensus, landing a full two rounds past where many expected. It would not be a surprise if he was a Week 1 starter for the Rams.
Baltimore Ravens
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 1 | 27 | Malaki Starks | S |
| 2 | 59 | Mike Green | EDGE |
| 3 | 91 | Emery Jones | OT |
| 4 | 129 | Teddye Buchanan | LB |
| 5 | 141 | Carson Vinson | OT |
| 6 | 178 | Bilhal Kone | CB |
| 6 | 186 | Tyler Loop | K |
| 6 | 203 | LaJohntay Wester | WR |
| 6 | 210 | Aeneas Peebles | DT |
| 6 | 212 | Robert Longerbeam | CB |
| 7 | 243 | Garrett Dellinger | G |
Grade: B-
Best Pick: DT Aeneas Peebles
Worst Pick: N/A
First impression of the Ravens’ 2025 draft is that with eight picks on Day 3, including six from Round 6 and on, there are going to be multiple draft picks hard-pressed to make the final roster in September. It’s a good problem to have, however, and the Ravens could use as many hits in the draft as possible with little financial flexibility at the moment. Of the Day 3 batch, Peebles stands out as the biggest value relative to consensus and a player with a big opportunity ahead of him.
The other big takeaway is that off-field situations factored into this draft as much as any for Baltimore in recent memory. Green is the other major value after slipping from consensus top-20 to near the end of the second round. However, two sexual assault allegations from his past are why so many teams passed on him, and that’s a complicating factor in projecting his impact going forward. The Ravens also drafted Loop in part because current K Justin Tucker is facing several allegations of sexual misconduct, and the NFL investigation is ongoing.
New Orleans Saints
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 1 | 9 | Kelvin Banks | OT |
| 2 | 40 | Tyler Shough | QB |
| 3 | 71 | Vernon Broughton | DT |
| 3 | 93 | Jonas Sanker | S |
| 4 | 112 | Danny Stutsman | LB |
| 4 | 131 | Quincy Riley | CB |
| 6 | 184 | Devin Neal | RB |
| 7 | 248 | Moliki Matavao | TE |
| 7 | 254 | Fadil Diggs | EDGE |
Grade: B
Best Pick: CB Quincy Riley
Worst Pick: QB Tyler Shough
Outside of making waves with the surprising (to some) selection of Shough near the top of Round 2, the rest of the Saints’ draft was unusually boring. The team focused on the line of scrimmage early once again and did not trade up for the first time in years. The goal was clearly to add as many potential contributors as possible, and in that regard the Saints seem to have set themselves up for success. Banks, Broughton, Sanker, Stutsman and Riley all could be starting or playing key roles as soon as this year. Riley in particular stands out as a major value relative to consensus after sliding to the fourth.
The Shough pick overshadows some of that. While he looks the part with his size, arm strength and solid athleticism, Shough was 25 for his final collegiate season. He was physically more advanced than his opponents and there were still concerning instances where the mental side of his game lagged. The Saints are in a tough position at quarterback with the uncertainty about veteran Derek Carr, but the odds say Shough is not an outlier who will be the solution.
Seattle Seahawks
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 1 | 18 | Grey Zabel | G |
| 2 | 35 | Nick Emmanwori | S |
| 2 | 50 | Elijah Arroyo | TE |
| 3 | 92 | Jalen Milroe | QB |
| 4 | 137 | Joshua Farmer | DT |
| 5 | 142 | Rylie Mills | DL |
| 5 | 166 | Tory Horton | WR |
| 5 | 175 | Robbie Ouzts | TE |
| 6 | 192 | Bryce Cabeldue | G |
| 7 | 223 | Damien Martinez | RB |
| 7 | 234 | Mason Richman | OT |
| 7 | 238 | Ricky White III | WR |
Grade: B+
Best Pick: QB Jalen Milroe
Worst Pick: N/A
In what could end up being a critical draft for the future of Seahawks GM John Schneider, the longtime personnel man seems to have put out a strong effort. Seattle finished with 12 picks, including an extra second and third from trading away QB Geno Smith and Metcalf. Though Schneider packaged two of those to move up for Emmanwori, he moved down in later rounds to get more selections. He also did a solid job of hitting Seattle’s needs with Zabel in the first and a double-dip later with Cabeldue.
The headline pick here could be Milroe, though. The former Alabama starter has drool-worthy physical skills. Though anonymous NFL executives have oversold them a bit in recent weeks, Milroe does truly have outstanding speed and a rocket arm. He’s also more polished as a passer than his detractors give him credit for, even if he has work to do on his accuracy in particular. The Colts’ experience with QB Anthony Richardson has impacted how other teams view developmental quarterbacks like Milroe but he easily deserved to go much higher than he did here. He might have the most upside of any quarterback in this class.
Pittsburgh Steelers
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 1 | 21 | Derrick Harmon | DT |
| 3 | 83 | Kaleb Johnson | RB |
| 4 | 123 | Jack Sawyer | EDGE |
| 5 | 164 | Yahya Black | DT |
| 6 | 185 | Will Howard | QB |
| 7 | 226 | Carson Bruener | LB |
| 7 | 229 | Donte Kent | CB |
Grade: C+
Best Pick: OLB Jack Sawyer
Worst Pick: Not taking Sanders?
Pittsburgh prominently was one of the teams to pass on taking the former Colorado quarterback, and there are two sides to that that might have equal merit. On one hand, Sanders is not a top-ten prospect and not viewed as the kind of rookie who can be a franchise savior by the NFL. This weekend has made that clear. On the other, he does have some upside to be at least a competent starter. For a team like the Steelers that has no long-term answer on the roster and is currently slated to start Mason Rudolph, that arguably should have a lot of appeal.
At any rate, the Steelers made their decision and took Howard to develop as a potential backup option, choosing to reinforce the rest of the roster with their other picks. Harmon and Black fill big needs up front and are excellent fits for the defense who should help the team be a little less leaky against the run. Sawyer was a great value, landing 38 picks after consensus. He’s viewed as perhaps not having a high ceiling but his style of play is a perfect match for what the Steelers are looking for.
Houston Texans
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 2 | 34 | Jayden Higgins | WR |
| 2 | 48 | Aireontae Ersery | G |
| 3 | 79 | Jaylin Noel | WR |
| 3 | 97 | Jaylin Smith | CB |
| 4 | 116 | Woody Marks | RB |
| 6 | 187 | Jaylen Reed | S |
| 6 | 197 | Graham Mertz | QB |
| 7 | 224 | Kyonte Hamilton | DT |
| 7 | 255 | Luke Lachey | TE |
Grade: C+
Best Pick: WR Jaylin Noel
Worst Pick: RB Woody Marks
Once again the Texans were active traders during the draft, making six trades over the course of the draft. Some were good, like moving back out of the first round with the Giants and picking up two extra thirds. However, they used up much of the value they gained in other deals, including flipping a future third to take Marks in the fourth round, 80 picks ahead of consensus. In a deep running back class, that move was curious. They moved another third to trade up for Ersery in the second, which is a little more understandable given the value and the Texans’ glaring need for offensive line help.
The other notable move from the Texans was double-dipping to land both Iowa State widouts, Higgins and Noel. The two are very different players but were incredibly effective for the Cyclones last year and will now get the chance to bring that dynamic to Houston. Higgins is a big wideout with surprising athleticism, similar to Texans WR Nico Colins. Noel is a short but explosive slot weapon.
Tennessee Titans
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 1 | 1 | Cam Ward | QB |
| 2 | 52 | Oluwafemi Oladejo | EDGE |
| 3 | 82 | Kevin Winston | S |
| 4 | 103 | Chimere Dike | WR |
| 4 | 120 | Gunnar Helm | TE |
| 4 | 136 | Elic Ayomanor | WR |
| 5 | 167 | Jackson Slater | G |
| 6 | 183 | Marcus Harris | CB |
| 6 | 188 | Kalel Mullings | RB |
Grade: B
Best Pick: S Kevin Winston
Worst Pick: WR Chimere Dike
Tennessee was able to trade down in Round 2 and pick up another third from the Seahawks, which was a major goal entering the draft. They still landed a promising pass rusher in the second in Oladejo, who is still learning the position after converting from off-ball linebacker, then filled another need in the third by getting Winston 15 picks after consensus. With three fourth-round picks, the Titans turned their attention to getting pass catchers for Ward, the No. 1 pick.
Helm and Ayomanor were both solid values, Ayomanor in particular after falling 66 spots past his consenus ranking. Tennessee passed on Ayomanor at the top of Round 4 to take Dike, an athletic player but one who was less-regarded, coming in at No. 203 on the consensus big board.
Minnesota Vikings
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. |
| 1 | 24 | Donovan Jackson | G |
| 3 | 102 | Tai Felton | WR |
| 5 | 139 | Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins | DL |
| 6 | 201 | Kobe King | LB |
| 6 | 202 | Gavin Bartholomew | TE |
Grade: C
Best Pick: G Donovan Jackson
Worst Pick: N/A
Minnesota reached against consensus on all of their picks except King, some more egregious than others. Jackson was 12 spots before consensus, which is weightier since it’s in the first round. However, he fills a huge need on the interior offensive line and is a high-character player, making the reach understandable.
Felton was another slight reach and the Vikings do have a good history with Maryland receivers, even if there were bigger needs in the secondary. The rest of the players the Vikings selected project more as rookie contract depth and special teams contributors, not starters.
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