2025 NFL Draft Grades: Your One-Stop Shop for Analysis and Insights on Every Pick

The wait is over — the 2025 NFL Draft is now complete! Now, every franchise hopes its new additions will pave the way to future success.

In PFSN’s 2025 NFL Draft Final Grades, our Stats & Insights team evaluated all 257 selections, analyzed how each pick fits, and graded every move your favorite team made based on player and positional value.

Arizona Cardinals

Overall Draft Grade: A

We knew that the Cardinals would focus on the defensive side of the ball, and they didn’t disappoint. Arizona took nothing but defenders until the tail end of Round 6, a class that includes the elite pedigree of Walter Nolen (an elite pass rusher who now can pick the brain of Calais Campbell) and tremendous value on Will Johnson (an instinctive corner who fell down draft boards based on his medicals).

We know that Kyler Murray has elite upside. We know Marvin Harrison Jr. checks every prospect box you could ask for. We know that Trey McBride is the future of a position (along with Brock Bowers) that is seeing its value increase annually.

The offense could explode in 2025 and after this draft, the Cardinals now have a defense that has the potential to at least hold serve. This franchise hasn’t advanced past Wild Card Weekend since 2015 – that very well could change this winter.

Grades for Every Cardinals Draft Pick

• Round 1, Pick 16
  Walter Nolen, DT | Ole Miss
  Grade: B+

The Cardinals aggressively addressed their defensive line in free agency, with inbound additions like Josh Sweat, Dalvin Tomlinson, and Calais Campbell. That complete reworking of the defensive front has continued today with the selection of Ole Miss’ Walter Nolen in Round 1.

Nolen checks every cosmetic box at DT. He’s 6’3”, 293 pounds and has near-34” arms and hyper-elite explosive capacity – expected of a former five-star recruit. And in 2024, he showed off his best technique yet, with 6.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss. That growth no doubt served as a selling point for Arizona.

Filing in nicely alongside Tomlinson at 3-tech, 4i, and 5-tech, Nolen has a true two-phase ability if he can dial in on a down-to-down basis. There have been rumors about his overall demeanor and coachability, but his development in 2024 was a promising sign, and no DT prospect has a physical tool set as tantalizing as Nolen’s.

• Round 2, Pick 47
  Will Johnson, CB | Michigan
  Grade: A+

At last, a top-12 prospect in Will Johnson is finally off the board in Round 2. His degenerative knee issue will be the big variable in his eventual outcome. But if Johnson can stay healthy, he can go on to be one of the best value deals outright in the 2025 NFL Draft class.

The Cardinals needed to acquire a starting boundary CB in this class, and Johnson fits what Jonathan Gannon needs to a tee. In zone coverage, Johnson is fluid, quick to react, and a natural playmaker, and in man coverage, he can use his size and twitch to dictate releases, match, and corral receivers. A high-quality prospect with schematic versatility and two-phase playmaking appeal, Johnson could be the prize of the draft for the Cardinals.

• Round 3, Pick 78
  Jordan Burch, EDGE | Oregon
  Grade: A

Josh Sweat was a big addition for the Cardinals in free agency, but they entered the NFL Draft still needing a complement to Sweat on the other side. Ideally, that addition would be a power-oriented player to compress the pocket and force double teams his way. Jordan Burch fits that vision well.

At almost 6’5” and 280 pounds, Burch is a freakish size-athleticism specimen with a rare blend of compact mass, energized explosiveness, and bend capacity. He can rush as far inside as 3-tech and 4i on a situational basis, but he also has the athleticism to be a stand-up rusher with build-up speed.

Overall, his versatility, power, and unhinged motor present a big boost for Jonathan Gannon’s defense and rounds out what is becoming a fearsome defensive front.

• Round 4, Pick 115
  Cody Simon, LB, Ohio State
  Grade: B-

There aren’t too many issues with Cody Simon as a player here. He has good size, great athleticism, and he’s coming off a career-best campaign in which he showed true upside a a productive MIKE linebacker. He can manage hip leverage in coverage, he can crash downhill, and he can blitz. In time, he should become a solid starter for Arizona.

The opportunity cost here, however, is that the Cardinals passed up several receivers who would’ve improved their middling receiving corps. Beyond Marvin Harrison Jr., the Cardinals have very little dependable ammunition, and that offensive construction hurt them in 2024.

• Round 5, Pick 174
  Denzel Burke, CB | Ohio State
  Grade: A-
• Round 6, Pick 211
  Hayden Conner, G | Texas
  Grade: B+
• Round 7, Pick 225
  Kitan Crawford, S | Nevada
  Grade: A

Atlanta Falcons

Overall Draft Grade: A-

After years of investing in the sexy offensive positions, the Falcons took care of business in this draft by prioritizing the other side of the ball in a major way. With their two first round picks (15th and 26th overall), Atlanta selected a pair of SEC game-wreckers.

Jalon Walker is a jack-of-all-trades type who can impact a game in a variety of ways. Raheem Morris will want to nail down a specific role for him with time, but versatility is a nice weapon to have in a defense that needs help across the board.

James Pearce Jr. has unique speed for an EDGE and was reported to be a target of this team throughout the process. Like Walker, he should be in the mix from Day 1 and that gives this defense the potential to improve in a hurry.

Safeties Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Jr. were their next two picks, and both profile as potential long-term pieces with Jordan Fuller on a one-year deal this year (eight DNP’s last season).

Grades for Every Falcons Draft Pick

• Round 1, Pick 15
  Jalon Walker, LB | Georgia
  Grade: B-

The Falcons went down to the wire with their pick at 15th overall, but they ultimately stayed put and selected Georgia’s Jalon Walker. Walker was projected as high as the top 10 at times in the 2025 NFL Draft cycle, but his value is more preferable in the middle of the first round, where the Falcons scooped him up.

In Raheem Morris’ odd-front scheme, the Falcons no doubt view Walker as an EDGE, but his projection has been a point of contention for NFL Draft experts across the space. At 6’1”, 250 pounds, with 32” arms, he’s undersized for a full-time EDGE role, but he has the explosiveness, bend, agility, speed-to-power, and relentless motor to give tackles fits from wider alignments.

The Falcons no doubt hope that Walker will infuse their defensive front with desperately needed pass-rush competence. If pass-rush help were their target here, Mike Green would’ve been a better pick in theory, but his character evaluation may have ruled him out for Atlanta. There’s no disputing Walker’s mentality or dynamism in passing situations — the only question is how high his ceiling truly is as an outlier.

• Round 1, Pick 26
  James Peare Jr., EDGE | Tennessee
  Grade: C

You can agree or disagree with how they’re approaching it, but give the Falcons credit: At the very least, they’re hitting the edge rush and hitting it hard in the 2025 NFL Draft. They used their first Round 1 pick on Jalon Walker, and soon after, they traded back into Round 1 to select James Pearce Jr.

As a pure pass-rusher, Pearce was one of the most prolific producers in college football over the past two seasons. Next to Abdul Carter, Pearce’s first-step explosiveness is the most dynamic in the class. Combined with that burst, he has elite agility and twitch, and he can channel speed-to-power with his explosiveness and length.

Outside of the pass-rush phase, however, and even within it, there are concerns. Pearce doesn’t have an elite bend component; his proportional length is closer to average than elite, and he’s lighter than preferred. His run-defense utility is minimal, and an EDGE duo of Walker and Pearce could be washed out more often than not.

Add in Pearce’s rumored coachability issues and the loss of a 2026 first-round pick, and this might be too much uncertainty and risk.

• Round 3, Pick 96
  Xavier Watts, S | Notre Dame
  Grade: A+

The Falcons had a rough Round 1 in the 2025 NFL Draft, but they made up for it with their move to select Xavier Watts at the tail end of Round 3. Watts was a top-50 prospect on my board. With 13 interceptions over the past two seasons, he’s in a tier of his own as a playmaker, but those ball skills mask an incredibly complete profile beneath.

At 6’0” and over 200 pounds, Watts has a strong and compact build, and that build holds up well in run support, where he can respond downhill, attack blocks, and make tackles.

In coverage, however, he’s just as proficient, with smooth pedal mobility, elite processing speed, and a type of range that’s insulated by his rare instincts. He’s a perfect complement alongside Jessie Bates III on the back end for Atlanta.

• Round 4, Pick 118
  Billy Bowman Jr., S, Oklahoma
  Grade: A-

The Falcons’ secondary was a problem area in 2024, and they seem to be aware of it. They spent a Day 2 pick on Xavier Watts, and they dipped into the safety bin again with the selection of Billy Bowman Jr. in Round 4.

The biggest question here is where the Falcons will ultimately use Bowman. They have Jessie Bates III and Watts at safety, but Bowman has the short-area quickness and matching ability to play as a nickel safety, while also providing the versatility and range to rotate back into split-field looks. With Watts and Bowman, the Falcons have infinitely more versatility and playmaking value on the back end, which is only a good thing.

• Round 7, Pick 218
  Jack Nelson, OT | Wisconsin
  Grade: A+

Baltimore Ravens

Overall Draft Grade: A

Eric DeCosta and the Baltimore Ravens’ front office cooked in the 2025 NFL Draft. They’re typically good for at least a steal or two, but they landed several this time around. Landing Malaki Starks, the 9th-ranked overall prospect on PFSN’s Big Board, was a massive steal and set the tone for the rest of the haul.

The Georgia product is a perfect fit for Baltimore on the back end, joining Kyle Hamilton, Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, and Ar’Darius Washington. A unit that was susceptible to big plays last season looks particularly strong heading into 2025.

The Ravens addressed other pressing needs on the defensive side of the ball, some juice on the edge with Mike Green and a linebacker in Teddy Buchanan, who can be an immediate special teams contributor and potentially develop into a starter at the WILL linebacker spot. Green was the most productive edge rusher in this class, and Baltimore got him at the end of the second round.

On the offensive side of the ball, Baltimore did work to upgrade their offensive line depth. Emery Jones Jr. is a mauler of a run blocker who has three years of starting experience against elite competition.

While he played right tackle in college, he projects as a quality guard at the next level, which fills a big need for the Ravens up front. They also may have landed a Day 3 gem in Carson Vinson. He put together an impressive 2024 season, allowing just one sack on the year. He possesses a rare combination of size, athleticism, and advanced technique. He could develop into a starter down the line.

The Justin Tucker era in Baltimore may be over, as they drafted Tyler Loop, one of the better kicking prospects in this class. Aeneas Peebles could turn out to be a Day 3 steal, as he has starter upside and could potentially make up for the loss of Michael Pierce, who retired this offseason.

In the past, the Ravens have deployed a best player available strategy. While that has yielded some strong results, the front office made sure it addressed each of the glaring roster holes this year.

Grades for Every Ravens Draft Pick

• Round 1, Pick 27
  Malaki Starks, S | Georgia
  Grade: A+

The Baltimore Ravens played the board and got one of the best value deals in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Malaki Starks was a top-10 prospect on my board, and he’s a perfect fit for what the Ravens need on the back end of their defense.f

At 6’1” and almost 200 pounds, Starks has good size and play strength, and his superpower is his coverage mobility, which in turn amounts to all-encompassing versatility. He’s an absurdly efficient mover on his pedal and as a weaver in two-high and single-high. He has rapid processing and superb playmaking range, and he also has short-area quickness, reaction-to-stimulus ability, and fluidity to play man-to-man coverage.

The Ravens caught a glimpse of the ideal setup at safety with Marcus Williams in his prime, but injuries sapped his ability. With Starks, they get a true safety blanket on the back end, whose versatility frees up Kyle Hamilton to be the universal chess piece he can be at his best.

• Round 2, Pick 59
  Mike Green, EDGE | Marshall
  Grade: A+

Given his off-field concerns and questions about the level of competition at Marshall, it’s not a shock that Mike Green fell a little. But getting to the end of the second round counts as a massive coup for the Ravens, who have racked up significant value with each of their first two picks this year.

Green was the most productive pass rusher in this class, producing 17 sacks and 23 TFLs for the Thundering Herd in 2024. His fluidity should allow him to play stand-up edge rusher snaps for the Ravens’ odd fronts, and he adds important depth to a position where Odafe Oweh is in the final year of his rookie contract.

If the character concerns check out, Green could end up as one of this year’s more memorable steals.

• Round 3, Pick 91
  Emery Jones Jr., OG | LSU
  Grade: B+

Entering the draft, guard was among the few needs on the Ravens’ offense. Emery Jones Jr. was a three-year starter at LSU and brings the type of mauling in run blocking that the Ravens typically covet. His average athleticism could make pass protection dicey early on, but he does fit the team’s ground game identity.

Jones did play right tackle at LSU, but figures to kick inside in the NFL. He’ll most likely compete with Andrew Vorhees for the starting left guard spot, which was left vacant by Patrick Mekari’s departure in free agency.

• Round 4, Pick 129
  Teddye Buchanan, LB, California
  Grade: B-

The Ravens needed to strengthen their RB room heading into the draft. They had hoped Trenton Simpson or Malik Harrison would lock down the WILL spot alongside Roquan Smith last season. Simpson started strong but fizzled out, and Harrison wasn’t great either. Baltimore needed to add some juice through the draft with the latter now in Pittsburgh.

Teddye Buchanan was an immediate impact player for Cal, earning All-ACC honors. He doesn’t have the ideal size or length for the position, but he’s a high-IQ player who was a consistent contributor throughout his college career.

At worst, those tools should get him on the field as a special teamer, but he should have every opportunity to compete for defensive snaps early, with the lack of depth at inside linebacker.

• Round 5, Pick 141
  Carson Vinson, OT | Alabama A&M
  Grade: B+
• Round 6, Pick 178
  Bilhal Kone, CB | Western Michigan
  Grade: B+
• Round 6, Pick 186
  Tyler Loop, K | Arizona
  Grade: A
• Round 6, Pick 203
  LaJohntay Wester, WR | Colorado
  Grade: C
  
• Round 6, Pick 210
  Aeneas Peebles, DT | Virginia Tech
  Grade: A
• Round 6, Pick 212
  Robert Longerbeam, CB | Rutgers
  Grade: A-
• Round 7, Pick 243
  Garrett Dellinger, OG | LSU
  Grade: A+

Buffalo Bills

Overall Draft Grade: B

The Buffalo Bills hit the positions they were supposed to, and they did so with urgency. All of their first five picks addressed three of the team’s most pressing needs on defense, and the Bills were able to add contrasting skill sets as well. The problem is, for some of the Bills’ early picks, the idea of the pick is better than the addition in its actual value.

Maxwell Hairston no doubt brings speed, easy coverage mobility, and playmaking ability, but he’s a near-liability in run support, which may impact his utility in certain situations. Deone Walker is a size-athleticism specimen, but isn’t the high-level anchor the Bills needed to succeed DaQuan Jones.

And while T.J. Sanders is a good overall addition, it’s hard to envision how he’ll function next to an undersized Ed Oliver and Walker, who drifts too high with his pads and is easily washed off the line.

To their credit, the Bills scored a great talent and schematic fit with Landon Jackson, and acquired high-end nickel and safety utility with Jordan Hancock. And on Day 3, Jackson Hawes, Dorian Strong, Chase Lundt, and Kaden Prather were all solid depth additions. Overall, the Bills put together a decent class, but there are enough holes to poke into the early-round picks to invite uncertainty.

Grades for Every Bills Draft Pick

• Round 1, Pick 30
  Maxwell Hairston, CB | Kentucky
  Grade: B-

The defensive line would have been a preferred target area for the Bills in Round 1, but their options were limited with Kenneth Grant and Tyleik Williams off the board. Cornerback was a logical alternative, and the Bills banked on upside with Kentucky’s Maxwell Hairston.

For Sean McDermott’s zone-heavy scheme, Hairston is a great fit. He’s a little bit lighter than average, but his 4.29 speed shows up routinely on tape. That blistering speed lets him click and close from depth and hawk in front of ill-fated passes. He also has effervescent short-area quickness, reactive athleticism, and crisp fluidity, enabling him to match and transition.

Hairston will ultimately need to bulk up to withstand the rigors of the NFL, particularly as a press-man and run-support defender. On PFSN’s board, there were better options available. But Hairston’s speed can’t be replicated, and Christian Benford and Taron Johnson funneling targets his way, which makes Hairston dangerous for opposing offenses.

• Round 2, Pick 41
  T.J. Sanders, DT | South Carolina
  Grade: B

It was a near-consensus belief that the Bills would invest in the interior defensive line early in the 2025 NFL Draft. They ended up trading up in the second round and taking South Carolina’s T.J. Sanders – an ascending player with an appealing two-phase, three-down skill set.

At around 6’4”, 297 pounds, with over 33” arms, Sanders has a sturdy profile for interior work. Despite his average mass, he’s very hard to uproot in run defense with his strong anchor and lower body, and he has the explosiveness, lateral range, and prying strength to win 1-on-1 as a pass rusher.

He’s a bit stiff in the midsection, and his consistency is still coming along, but he’s a worthwhile investment for Buffalo at this stage.

• Round 2, Pick 72
  Landon Jackson, EDGE | Arkansas
  Grade: A

This was one of the easiest player-team matches to project ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. Landon Jackson met with the Bills twice in the lead-up to the big event, and he fits the Bills’ needs at the EDGE position to a tee.

At 6’6”, 261 pounds, with near-34” arms, Jackson is long and lean, with elite explosiveness off the snap. And for his size, he has incredible lower-body flexibility and ankle mobility, which he can use to reduce his surface area and run the arc as a pass rusher.

You’d like him to play with more power and pop at times, as he doesn’t always play up to his size. But as an even-front defensive end in Buffalo’s scheme, he’ll be in his most comfortable role and able to work effectively in both phases.

• Round 4, Pick 109
  Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
  Grade: B

It was hard to predict where Deone Walker would come off the board with such a unique profile. He’s a size-athleticism freak at 6’7”, 331 pounds, but he’s a complete liability with his pad level, and a back injury from 2024 could spell doubt on his long-term durability. Nevertheless, the Bills chose to bet on the talent at the top of Round 4.

How the Bills use Walker could dictate how much they get out of him. Despite his size, he doesn’t have the lower-body strength or leverage game to be a true nose tackle alongside T.J. Sanders. If he can be utilized as an attacker, where he can more often get his base beneath him on acceleration, that’s where his torque output and motor can shine.

• Round 5, Pick 170
  Jordan Hancock, CB | Ohio State
  Grade: B
• Round 5, Pick 173
  Jackson Hawes, TE | Georgia Tech
  Grade: B
• Round 6, Pick 177
  Dorian Strong, CB | Virginia Tech
  Grade: A
  
• Round 6, Pick 206
  Chase Lundt, OT | UConn
  Grade: A-
• Round 7, Pick 240
  Kaden Prather, WR | Maryland
  Grade: B

Carolina Panthers

Overall Draft Grade: A

In the NBA, sharp teams draft three-point threats and rim runners – the days of the midrange are long gone, so why not focus on the most valuable spots on the court?
The football equivalent of that, once you have the quarterback position addressed, is pass catchers and pass rushers.

Tetairoa McMillan is a 6’4” weapon for Bryce Young to develop alongside. The pick was a bit surprising, but Young showed enough down the stretch of last season to give this franchise hope that their rebuild is starting to trend up. Adam Thielen is the veteran receiver on this roster, but he’s clearly on the back-9 of his career, and there’s nothing in the way of proven talent at the position around him.

The Panthers are playing the “cast a wide net” game, adding McMillan to Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker. They don’t need to hit on all three of those receivers – they just need Young to be comfortable and to elevate one of them to alpha status.

Carolina has ranked dead last in pressure rate in each of the past two seasons, making a doubling down on rookie EDGE rushers a plenty reasonable plan. Nic Scourton was their second round pick and looked the part of a true game-changer at Texas A&M this past season due to his ability to impact both the run and pass game.

We will see if Young is the answer under center, but if he is, don’t be surprised if this Carolina team is in the playoff picture sooner rather than later.

Grades for Every Panthers Draft Pick

• Round 1, Pick 8
  Tetairoa McMillan, WR | Arizona
  Grade: B+

There was never a lot of smoke connecting Tetairoa McMillan to the Panthers, but that’s why what happens on draft night matters. This pairing flew under the radar, but Carolina had an obvious need for additional weaponry with Bryce Young on the upswing. They get that weaponry with McMillan.

This is a slight reach on PFSN’s board, and the key developmental point for McMillan, early on in his career, will be beating press coverage. He has the requisite quickness and size but is unrefined in that phase, and he’ll have to grow there if he wants to become a true WR1.

Nevertheless, if any offensive mind knows how to use his talent and scheme opportunities, it’s head coach Dave Canales. McMillan can be an elite chain-moving and vertical threat with his explosiveness, body control, and hand strength. With his elite size-adjusted agility and fluidity at 6’4”, 218 pounds, he can slash through zone coverage, accrue RAC, and be a Day 1 safety blanket for Young.

• Round 2, Pick 51
  Nic Scourton, EDGE | Texas A&M
  Grade: A+

The board fell very favorably for the Panthers in Round 2, but they also made the calculated decision to trade up and be aggressive when a chance came to add an impact player at positive value. With the 51st pick, acquired from Denver, the Panthers added edge rusher Nic Scourton.

At 6’3”, 261 pounds, Scourton is a dense, well-leveraged EDGE who defies logic with the finesse and lower-body flexibility he possesses at that size. Of the EDGE prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, he’s one of the most advanced and workmanlike players with his hands.

He’ll fit well as a wide-alignment rusher in Ejiro Evero’s scheme with his power and proactivity, but he also has a sturdy run defense profile on top of it all.

• Round 3, Pick 77
  Princely Umanmielen, EDGE | Ole Miss
  Grade: A-

The Panthers double-dipped on edge rushers on Day 2, a good idea for last year’s 32nd-ranked pass rush by pressure rate (25.1%). Princely Umanmielen might end up as a pure designated pass rusher, but he can still bring plenty of value if he hits his ceiling.

The Ole Miss product was highly productive the last two years, recording 17.5 sacks and 26 TFLs. His speed and first-step explosiveness are his selling points, and he should fit in nicely as a stand-up linebacker in Carolina’s 3-4 scheme.

He’s not the biggest edge rusher (6’4”, 244 pounds), but should get the job done on passing downs.

• Round 4, Pick 114
  Trevor Etienne, RB | Georgia
  Grade: C

The Panthers now have significant depth at the running back position. They moved on from Miles Sanders. Chuba Hubbard’s career year in 2024 made the decision to cut ties with the underperforming Sanders that much easier.

Carolina also added Rico Dowdle in free agency, creating an intriguing 1-2 punch. Jonathon Brooks has suffered multiple knee injuries, so it makes sense to add depth, but Etienne may have been around later.

Etienne is a shifty runner with good vision but a bit undersized. He also lacks play strength, which causes him to struggle in pass protection. His speed and elusiveness after the catch as a receiver make him an enticing prospect. However, it’s hard to imagine the Panthers fielding a four-RB rotation.

• Round 4, Pick 122
  Lathan Ransom, S | Ohio State
  Grade: A

Safety was a huge need for the Panthers, even after signing Tre’von Moehrig to the richest safety deal in this year’s free agency class. Lathan Ransom is a burly box safety who should pair nicely with Moehrig, as the ex-Raiders DB has played a lot of deep centerfield snaps in his career.

Ransom broke out as a fifth-year senior for the national champs in 2024, recording 9 TFLs and three forced fumbles. He shines against the run but has some coverage limitations and needs to clean up his tackling to be a truly effective starter. Still, given how thin the Panthers were at safety apart from Moehrig, Ransom should have a chance to play immediately.

• Round 5, Pick 140
  Cam Jackson, DT | Florida
  Grade: A
• Round 5, Pick 163
  Mitchell Evans, TE | Notre Dame
  Grade: B+
  
• Round 6, Pick 208
  Jimmy Horn Jr., WR | Colorado
  Grade: B

Chicago Bears

Overall Draft Grade: B

Ryan Poles and the Chicago Bears’ front office hit the offensive side of the ball early and often in this draft. This didn’t come as a major surprise since new head coach Ben Johnson is offensive-minded. The Bears’ offense struggled during Caleb Williams’ rookie season, and they made it a point to put more talent around him heading into Year 2.

Colston Loveland bolsters Chicago’s passing attack and has the tools to be an instant upgrade over Cole Kmet. Johnson worked his magic with Sam LaPorta in Detroit, and it would be unsurprising to see him have similar success with the explosive Loveland. Speaking of explosiveness, Luther Burden III offers plenty of it. The former Missouri star was one of the most dangerous playmakers in this class, and he could be a dynamic WR3 behind D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze in this offense.

After a strong free agency that bolstered their interior offensive line, Chicago added an athletic offensive tackle with starter upside. Ozzy Trapilo profiles as insurance for Braxton Jones in the short term, but he could eventually replace him.

Shemar Turner and Zah Frazier were good value picks in Rounds 2 and 5, respectively. The Turner selection further reinforces the Bears’ plan to solidify the interior of the defensive line. He offers long-term upside and immediate depth behind Grady Jarrett and Gervon Dexter Sr.

Frazier doesn’t come from a Power 5 program, but the cornerback checks a lot of the boxes that teams covet – size, speed, ball production, and scheme versatility. He was easily their best Day 3 pick, as the others come with question marks about their potential at the next level.

All in all, the Bears got better in certain spots, but they didn’t leave the back end of the draft with a ton of value.

Grades for Every Bears Draft Pick

• Round 1, Pick 10
  Colston Loveland, TE | Michigan
  Grade: A+

NFL defenses learned over the past two seasons never to doubt Ben Johnson in possession of a game-breaking tight end. They’ll continue to learn the hard way now, as Johnson and Ryan Poles added Colston Loveland to their aerial attack with Caleb Williams.

Loveland can be Johnson’s new version of Sam LaPorta. He’ll have to stay healthy, of course. But his medicals didn’t scare the Bears away from him at 10th overall, and provided that he stays healthy, he’s a true X-factor with all-encompassing alignment versatility and dynamism in the pass game.

At 6’6”, 250 pounds, Loveland’s calling card is his alien ability as a separator at the tight end position. He’s endlessly efficient and fluid in and out of breaks, with a full route tree, explosive RAC ability, and smooth catch-point instincts. Yes, the Bears have Cole Kmet – but Loveland is a different, and much less common, type of player. That’s where his value lies for an emerging Chicago squad.

• Round 2, Pick 39
  Luther Burden III, WR | Missouri
  Grade: B

Head Coach Ben Johnson is loading up on weapons in Chicago. In Round 1, he added Colston Loveland as his X-factor at TE, and in Round 2, he brought in Luther Burden III as a potential value deal. Burden is one of the most talented WRs in the draft, and Johnson is the perfect coordinator to scheme him opportunities – but how his usage will come to fruition remains to be seen.

There’s a chance Burden’s role could overlap with Loveland’s, as Loveland will likely be utilized as a big-slot target alongside D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze. Nevertheless, Burden profiles as a dynamic WR3 who can be a short-range outlet and a vertical threat all in one, and he has additional upside left to unearth.

• Round 2, Pick 56
  Ozzy Trapilo, OT | Boston College
  Grade: B+

The Bears got off to a strong start in the 2025 NFL Draft, adding two dynamic weapons in Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III. Now, at last, they’re returning to the offensive line, to get high-quality insurance for Braxton Jones at left tackle. At 56th overall, Boston College’s Ozzy Trapilo is the pick.

Trapilo is more of a natural right tackle. At 6’8”, 330 pounds, his size profile is more fitting there, and he has much more experience on the right side. Because of this, any move to the left side involves some projection.

But as a player, Trapilo is massive, athletic for his size, flexible in recovery and with power absorption, and can overwhelm and drive defenders off the ball. Trapilo quietly profiles as a long-term starter; at the very least, he’s a stellar swing tackle early on.

• Round 2, Pick 62
  Shemar Turner, DT | Texas A&M
  Grade: A-

After prioritizing the offense with their first three picks, the Bears pivoted to defense at the 62nd overall selection. They could’ve taken a safety to hedge for future uncertainty at the position, but defensive tackle depth and long-term upside were also an underrated need. They approached that problem with a unique solution in Shemar Turner.

At 6’3”, 290 pounds, with 33” arms, Turner is a narrow, compact DT with an appealing blend of efficient mass, natural leverage, and proportional length. He routinely wins the pad level battle, can channel incredible power with his burst and length, and has the agility and motor to offset gaps and disrupt.

His motor can sometimes lead to recklessness, but he has all the tools to become a dynamic and versatile presence alongside Grady Jarrett and Gervon Dexter.

• Round 4, Pick 132
  Ruben Hyppolite II, LB, Maryland
  Grade: D

The Bears already have a strong linebacker duo in Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards, but they lack depth behind them. However, this pick feels like a reach. The Maryland product wasn’t super productive in college, and he doesn’t flash the high-level instincts to compensate for that.

Hyppolite does have 46 career starts over five collegiate seasons, so he comes with experience. However, for a player who saw the field quite a bit, he has more than a few holes in his game. Where he jumps off the screen is through his athleticism. He showed off his speed at his Pro Day, a trait that helps him in pursuit. But he’s still a work in progress in coverage and as a pass rusher.

• Round 5, Pick 169
  Zah Frazier, CB | UTSA
  Grade: B+
• Round 6, Pick 195
  Luke Newman, G | Michigan State
  Grade: D
• Round 7, Pick 233
  Kyle Monangai, RB | Rutgers
  Grade: A+

Cincinnati Bengals

Overall Draft Grade: B

The Cincinnati Bengals had an up-and-down performance in the 2025 NFL Draft, but they ended up with an overall solid haul. Their first-round selection, Shemar Stewart, is a massive bet on upside. Stewart is a specimen and arguably possesses the most enticing physical traits of any edge rusher in the class. However, his lackluster college production (4.5 sacks over three seasons) leaves many questions about his NFL outlook.

The Bengals added a pair of linebackers in Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter. Knight at No. 49 felt a little early, although his athletic traits jump off the screen. Carter was a three-year starter in the ACC and could be a useful sub-package player for Cincinnati. This seems like a duo for the future with longtime starters Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt still in the building.

Where the Bengals could see a more immediate impact from this draft class is on the interior offensive line. Dylan Fairchild is a high-IQ prospect known for his physicality and aggression. He’s a powerful and technically sound offensive lineman who offers positional versatility.

Jalen Rivers can also play guard or tackle, but he projects better as an interior player. Cincinnati could have a new starting guard by season’s end. Tahj Brooks was a workhorse back at Texas Tech and could potentially add depth behind Chase Brown in the backfield.

The Bengals’ draft class has plenty of potential, but there are unknowns at the top. With Trey Hendrickson’s future still up in the air, they’re hoping Stewart can pan out and live up to the hype that his physical traits have garnered.

Grades for Every Bengals Draft Pick

• Round 1, Pick 17
  Shemar Stewart, EDGE | Texas A&M
  Grade: C+

Shemar Stewart’s eventual landing spot was heavily theorized in the weeks leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft. Some mock drafts had him going inside the top 10, while others had him slipping all the way to 32. He ended up in the middle, landing with the Bengals at 17th overall.

In terms of physical talent, no one bests Stewart – it’s as simple as that. At 6’5”, 267 pounds, with over 34” arms, he has hyper-elite explosiveness, short-area agility, twitch, and power output to go along with blistering pursuit speed and a truly unhinged motor. The problem with Stewart is that his physical upside is largely where the pros of his profile begin and end.

In run defense, Stewart can be undisciplined and over-eager. In the pass-rush phase, he can be uncontrolled and unrefined. The Bengals haven’t proven they can deliver on these kinds of high-upside gambles at EDGE; the Myles Murphy pick from two years ago hasn’t panned out. But Stewart has the talent, and he has the motor, and every evaluation is different. Perhaps if they can keep Trey Hendrickson in-house, Stewart can learn from him and unlock his potential.

• Round 2, Pick 49
  Demetrius Knight Jr., LB | South Carolina
  Grade: C+

The Bengals doubled up on defensive picks in the early rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting South Carolina’s Demetrius Knight Jr. with their second-round selection. Knight should file in well as a SAM linebacker, and he could ultimately become an ideal replacement for Germaine Pratt when the latter moves on.

At 6’2”, 235 pounds, with over 32” arms, Knight has a dense, compact frame and exceptional length when taking on blocks, and he’s an explosive, hard-charging aggressor coming downhill. He can deconstruct extensions and make tackles, and his athletic makeup lends well to his short-zone upside.

Knight is a solid player, but the Bengals passed up an opportunity to shore up an interior offensive line that’s in dire need of upgrades.

• Round 3, Pick 81
  Dylan Fairchild, OG | Georgia
  Grade: A

The Bengals’ perpetual problems on the offensive line made the unit a need entering the draft. In particular, right guard loomed as a hole after Alex Cappa’s release. Dylan Fairchild primarily played left guard at Georgia but could switch sides and slot in as a Day 1 starter.

Fairchild is a high-IQ prospect known for his physicality and aggression. Refreshingly, his quick feet and hands make him a plus in pass protection. That’s a huge need after the Bengals’ guards combined to allow the most pressures in 2024.

• Round 4, Pick 119
  Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
  Grade: A-

The Bengals have double-dipped at linebacker after taking Demetrius Knight Jr. in the second round. Barrett Carter was a top-100 player on PFSN’s pre-draft big board, as the Clemson linebacker was a productive three-year starter for the Tigers.

Carter’s speed is intriguing for an undersized linebacker (6’0”, 231 pounds), and enabled him to pile up 30.5 TFLs the past three seasons. He has some deficiencies in run defense but could be a useful sub-package weapon. Carter pairs well with Knight’s bruising size and run defense, making the duo a potential successor to long-time starters Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt.

• Round 5, Pick 153
  Jalen Rivers, OL | Miami (FL)
  Grade: B
• Round 6, Pick 193
  Tahj Brooks, RB | Texas Tech
  Grade: B+

Cleveland Browns

Overall Draft Grade: A-

What a rollercoaster ride this draft has been for the Cleveland Browns. General manager Andrew Berry hit big on his first two picks, significantly strengthening a defense that fell off as the season went on.

Mason Graham is one of the disruptive forces in this draft class, as he has the tools to immediately impact the game as a run-stopper and get after the quarterback. The Browns got a solid haul of draft capital by trading back to grab Graham. Passing on Travis Hunter could come back to bite them, but they filled a massive need.

Carson Schwesinger filled yet another need for Cleveland. He has the potential to become a high-level MIKE linebacker in the NFL and eventually take over for veteran Jordan Hicks, who will turn 33 years old before the 2025 season.

This is where things get interesting. It’s well-documented that the Browns’ most glaring need was at the quarterback position. After all of the Shedeur Sanders drama, which included Cleveland drafting Dillon Gabriel ahead of him, the Colorado product ended up with the Browns after all.

While it’s perplexing how they got there, Cleveland still landed a potential quarterback of the future. This team now has a whopping five quarterbacks on the roster, with Sanders and Gabriel joining Deshaun Watson, Joe Flacco, and Kenny Pickett.

Sanders has the most upside of any quarterback on the roster moving forward, and if he claims the starting job at some point, he will lead a Browns offense that has a much stronger complement of weapons than it ended the 2024 season with.

A backfield duo of Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson can replace an injury-prone Nick Chubb. Harold Fannin Jr. joined David Njoku in the TE room and brings some pass-catching juice to take pressure off Jerry Jeudy.

Sanders’ draft slide is arguably the most shocking we’ve ever seen, considering how he was viewed heading into the draft process. He could end up being the biggest steal of the draft, and his draft position makes this a low-risk, high-reward move for the Browns. All in all, Berry made moves to improve on both sides of the ball with this class.

Grades for Every Browns Draft Pick

• Round 1, Pick 5
  Mason Graham, DT | Michigan
  Grade: A-

This pick comes with the caveat that the Browns also added a second-round pick, a fourth-round pick, and a 2026 first-round pick in the process of moving back. That value is just icing on the cake for adding a player of Mason Graham‘s caliber.

Graham, a top-10 player in the class, has one of the most complete disruptive footprints in the 2025 DT group. His combination of hyper-dense mass, explosiveness, and natural leverage in the run game affords him elite penetration skills and one-gapping upside. As a pass-rusher, he can uncork violent torque and power to blast through blocks and impact the quarterback.

The Browns were never going to solve their QB woes with Ward off the board, so they had some wiggle room with how they addressed Round 1. Passing on a generational playmaker like Hunter could come back to bite them, but with the trade back for Graham, they addressed a significant need with a major contributor and scored a treasure trove of capital.

• Round 2, Pick 33
  Carson Schwesinger, LB | UCLA
  Grade: A-

This wasn’t the pick or the position many expected from the Browns to lead off Day 2, but linebacker was quietly a need for the Browns. Jordan Hicks is older and more replaceable, and Carson Schwesinger is a top-35 talent who has the potential to be a high-level MIKE LB in due time.

At around 6’2”, 240 pounds, Schwesinger has good size, near-elite sideline-to-sideline range, and gap instincts. He knifes downhill with rapid response in run defense, and he’s a fluid, instinctive cover man as well. Overall, he’s a complete three-down defender who could go on to greatly exceed his draft capital.

• Round 2, Pick 36
  Quinshon Judkins, RB | Ohio State
  Grade: C+

We knew the Browns were going to target a running back on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft. But at No. 36 overall, there’s a strong argument to make that they took the lower-graded, less-versatile of the two Ohio State RBs with Quinshon Judkins.

TreVeyon Henderson’s medicals might’ve been a concern for Cleveland, but Judkins doesn’t have nearly as much passing-down utility, which the Browns will have to reconcile with the rest of their RB rotation.

Having said all this, Judkins has the ideal volume-back build; he’s incredibly physical and can function as an explosive carving knife with his speed, vision, and bend. He can be a good player, but better options might’ve been available.

• Round 3, Pick 67
  Harold Fannin Jr., TE | Bowling Green
  Grade: B

Whoever’s playing quarterback for the Browns next season will need more weapons to target. Wide receiver was perceived as a bigger need, but David Njoku is also entering the final year of his contract. In Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland is adding a tight end with a similar level of receiving ability.

Fannin led the FBS with 117 catches in 2024, racking up 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns. While his productivity came against a lower level of competition, his catch-point skills and sure hands are translatable regardless of competition. Fannin could be eased into multi-tight end sets in 2025 before potentially serving as Njoku’s successor.

• Round 3, Pick 94
  Dillon Gabriel, QB | Oregon
  Grade: D-

The Cleveland Browns finally addressed the quarterback position in late Day 2, but it wasn’t the QB many expected. Instead of ending Shedeur Sanders’ slide, the Browns dropped jaws by selecting Dillon Gabriel as an alternative.

Gabriel was a record-setting collegiate quarterback, but he shouldn’t have been worth consideration so early in the draft, for a Browns team that could still stand to invest in WR, offensive line, or EDGE talent.

Gabriel is small, has a below-average arm, is volatile operationally, and likely profiles as a backup at best. Even if the Browns didn’t have Sanders on their board, Will Howard would’ve been a much better value pick here.

• Round 4, Pick 126
  Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee
  Grade: A

Nick Chubb is a free agent, and the Browns haven’t shown signs of potentially bringing him back. After grabbing Quinshon Judkins earlier in the draft, they landed a potential steal in Dylan Sampson, showing their willingness to revamp their RB room through the draft.
It was surprising to see Dylan Sampson last this long.

Sure, he’s undersized, but he’s a dynamic playmaker. He racked up nearly 1,500 yards on the ground in 2024, and a huge chunk of those yards came after contact. He possesses elite quickness and is a threat score whenever he touches the ball. If he can clean up the fumbles, he and Judkins could be a formidable backfield duo for years to come.

• Round 5, Pick 144
  Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
  Grade: A

After many speculated the Browns might take Shedeur Sanders second overall, the Colorado quarterback does end up in Cleveland after all…142 picks later. No matter what you think of Sanders’ personality or the potential off-field distraction he brings, this is an absurd value for a player who was a consensus Round 2 player at worst entering the draft.

Cleveland immediately becomes the most fascinating training camp QB competition. Sanders joins a fray that includes third-round rookie Dillon Gabriel and veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett. Who wins that is anyone’s guess, but Sanders should have every opportunity to play for last year’s 32nd-ranked offense by most metrics (including PFSN’s Offense+).

At this price point, Sanders comes with no risk. Since 2000, no QB drafted in the fifth round has started more than 18 games (A.J. Feeley and Sam Howell).

Howell or former Texans QB T.J. Yates was probably the most successful passer out of that group, and Howell has already been traded twice after getting dealt minutes before the Browns picked Sanders. Even if he never develops into an above-average regular, Sanders comes with more upside than almost any QB picked at this point in recent NFL history.

Dallas Cowboys

Overall Draft Grade: B+

Some of the Cowboys’ picks may have been polarizing in the heat of the moment, but their composite class ended up looking a lot stronger than anticipated. Anchored by a superb early-round slate, the Cowboys’ rookie class has a chance to make an impact right away.

The Tyler Booker selection is simple. He’s not an elite athlete, but he’s an elite competitor with the size, technique, and IQ to last a long time as an NFL starter. Donovan Ezeiruaku has instant value as a pass-rush specialist, and Shavon Revel can help form a top-tier CB trio with Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland, if he can stay healthy.

The Cowboys’ performance dipped slightly on Day 3, mainly with a fifth-round reach for an unathletic, inconsistent linebacker in Shemar James. But overall, the Cowboys utilized their capital well. Jaydon Blue is a sparkplug at RB, and the rest of the Day 3 additions provide solid depth. This Cowboys class could help the team set off on the right foot with Brian Schottenheimer.

Grades for Every Cowboys Draft Pick

• Round 1, Pick 12
  Tyler Booker, OG | Alabama
  Grade: B+

In a somewhat surprising move, the Dallas Cowboys drafted Tyler Booker with the 12th overall pick, addressing a newly-realized need in the wake of Zack Martin’s retirement. Booker’s selection will be polarizing for many, but his tape rules in favor of his consideration this high.

Booker tested as a below-average athlete, and on tape, it’s clear that his mobility and range aren’t overwhelming strengths. That said, in Brian Schottenheimer’s offense, he should be able to thrive. He’s a monster in a phone booth with his 6’5”, 320-pound frame, heavy hands, near-flawless technique, and ruthless finishing mentality, and he has enough urgency and power to execute down and base blocks in the run game.

Booker is a bit of an outlier with his testing athleticism, but he has all of the operational qualities to beat the odds, and he shores up a significant area of need for Dallas. An offensive line with Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Booker, and Terence Steele has exciting potential.

• Round 2, Pick 44
  Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE | Boston College
  Grade: B+

Once viewed as a first-round candidate, Donovan Ezeiruaku’s slide has finally ended, as the Cowboys have taken him with the 44th overall pick. This spot is a better reflection of Ezeiruaku’s value overall, and even here, there are questions to answer, but his immediate pass-rush dynamism is what sells the pick for the Cowboys.

At 6’2 ½” and 248 pounds, Ezeiruaku is a lighter EDGE prospect, who doesn’t have high-end speed-to-power or play strength in the run game. Those aspects complicate his projection and his usage alongside Micah Parsons and Dante Fowler.

But with his 34” arms, he does have a wide disruption radius on the rush, and his finesse, agility, bend, and proactive hands enable him to be a down-to-down disruptor on the attack.

• Round 3, Pick 76
  Shavon Revel Jr., CB | East Carolina
  Grade: A+

The Cowboys’ draft philosophy can sometimes be hit-or-miss, but this was a center hit, all the way past the fences. Shavon Revel Jr. was a top-25 prospect on my board, and assuming he’s on track for a full recovery from the torn ACL he suffered in September, he can be a high-level starter alongside Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland, who’ll presumably shift back to the slot.

At 6’2”, 196 pounds, with over 32” arms, Revel has a truly hyper-elite combination of size and athleticism. He’s fast-moving in short areas and over long distances, with the closing explosiveness to hawk in front of ill-fated routes and the short-area twitch, fluidity, and physicality to smother WRs in press.

He may need an acclimation period after making the leap from a lower-level conference, but he has all the tools to be an impact starter in time.

• Round 5, Pick 149
  Jaydon Blue, RB | Texas
  Grade: B+
• Round 5, Pick 152
  Shemar James, LB | Florida
  Grade: D
• Round 6, Pick 204
  Ajani Cornelius, OT | Oregon
  Grade: C+
• Round 7, Pick 217
  Jay Toia, DT | UCLA
  Grade: B
  
• Round 7, Pick 239
  Phil Mafah, RB | Clemson
  Grade: B
• Round 7, Pick 247
  Tommy Akingbesote, DT | Maryland
  Grade: B

Denver Broncos

Overall Draft Grade: B-

The Denver Broncos came in with relatively few needs for a team that was a surprise playoff participant in 2024. Denver surprised many by going cornerback in Round 1 with Jahdae Barron, but the Texas product was a solid value at 20.

Barron immediately enters as a slot corner weapon with the versatility to play all over the defense. Between Barron, Pat Surtain II, and Riley Moss, Denver has constructed a potentially lethal trio of homegrown corners to combat the AFC’s superstar quarterbacks.

Day 2 brought more of the offensive skill position talent that many expected. Running back R.J. Harvey has a strong chance to start right away and give the Broncos a clear lead back after using a three-way committee in 2024.

Wide receiver Pat Bryant went a little higher than many expected in Round 3, though the Illinois product should have a chance to emerge as the No. 2 receiver behind Courtland Sutton.

In double-dipping at edge rusher with Sai’vion Jones and Que Robinson, the Broncos are also ensuring that their front seven doesn’t deteriorate after serving as a team strength last season.

Denver surely intends to keep both Zach Allen and Nik Bonitto long-term, but both are entering contract years. Paying both could result in other contributors like John Franklin-Myers getting priced out, so getting ahead of that need is a smart move.

The Broncos only had three picks on Day 3, so this team did most of its work early (though picking top-ranked punter Jeremy Crawshaw was a fun move). The good news is that Denver entered the draft with relatively few needs for a team that was a surprise playoff participant in 2024, and largely checked those off.

The team’s biggest remaining hole is arguably at linebacker, where Dre Greenlaw and Alex Singleton are health risks. Still, both are established starters that should serve as a fine duo if they can stay on the field. That makes the Broncos a dangerous sleeper to watch if Bo Nix can progress in Year 2.

Grades for Every Broncos Draft Pick

• Round 1, Pick 20
  Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
  Grade: A-

This was a surprising development, as many mock drafts matched the Broncos with a running back – either TreVeyon Henderson or Omarion Hampton. But the Broncos chose to defer to a deep RB class and instead took Jahdae Barron with the 20th overall pick.

Passing on a Round 1 RB does leave that position up to chance a bit more, but there’s no denying the value Barron can bring to Vance Joseph’s defense. Barron can play both boundary and slot CB and will feasibly rotate between Riley Moss and Ja’Quan McMillian, while Pat Surtain II locks down the other boundary.

While Barron is a bit undersized, he’s an absolute menace in zone coverage and run support. His hyperactive twitch and rapid processing speed enables him to click, close, and make his presence felt in read-and-response, and he’s a legitimate two-phase playmaker with a tone-setting mentality and an effervescent play pace. With Barron, Denver’s defense could reach new levels of “elite.”

• Round 2, Pick 60
  RJ Harvey, RB | UCF
  Grade: B

We knew the Broncos would target a running back at some point. The only questions were when and who. The ‘when’ was fairly easy to anticipate at 60th overall after their first-round pick. The ‘who’ was less expected, as RJ Harvey earned the Broncos’ confidence over other options like Kaleb Johnson and Damien Martinez.

Harvey wasn’t the top RB remaining on PFSN’s board, but this RB class is very much a “pick your flavor” type of class, so there’s no faulting Sean Payton for adding a back he thinks can flourish in his scheme.

At 5’8”, 205 pounds, Harvey is one of the most elusive, instinctive, and dynamic runners in the class, and he has budding pass-game versatility as a RAC threat, too. On the surface, some will call this a reach, but it could pay unexpected dividends early on.

• Round 3, Pick 74
  Pat Bryant, WR | Illinois
  Grade: B-

We’re at the point of the draft now where each team’s board is separating from consensus. It’s unfair to grade each pick by the consensus board alone, and the Pat Bryant pick is a prime example of that. Bryant wasn’t the best WR on the board, and I would’ve taken Tory Horton here if we’re sticking with bigger WRs. That said, Bryant’s function in Sean Payton’s offense is also visibly clear.

At 6’2”, 204 pounds, Bryant doesn’t have an elite size-speed combination, but he’s explosive, fleet-footed, agile, and fluid as a mover. He can carve up seams and off-set DBs with quick lateral baits, and he has the body control and hands to convert in clutch situations and in the red zone. As a reliable WR3 with some measured upside, he should find a niche to fill comfortably in Payton’s scheme with Bo Nix under center.

• Round 3, Pick 101
  Sai’vion Jones, EDGE | LSU
  Grade: B

The Broncos can never have enough edge rushers, and players like Zach Allen have thrived in Denver with their inside-outside versatility. Sai’vion Jones could fall into a similar bucket as a bigger defensive end who has scheme versatility.

At 6’5” and 280 pounds, Jones relies much more on power rather than burst. With over 33-inch arms, Jones usually wins the leverage battle against whatever offensive lineman he’s facing. He doesn’t have the best bend, but improved as a pass rusher at LSU and will get to assimilate slowly as a rotational piece.

• Round 4, Pick 134
  Que Robinson, EDGE, Alabama
  Grade: C

Que Robinson never emerged as a starter in four seasons at Alabama. However, he did record four sacks in a part-time role in 2024 after having just 1.5 in his first three seasons combined. Robinson certainly looks the part with his 6’4”, 243-pound frame, and his 33.5-inch arms help him keep offensive tackles out of his frame.

However, as you might expect for someone who hasn’t played much, he’s very raw technique-wise. Robinson also didn’t demonstrate the best instincts in run defense, being late to anticipate blocks and run flows.

The Broncos are certainly deep enough at the edge (particularly after taking Sai’vion Jones in Round 3) to give Robinson time to work behind the scenes as a developmental prospect.

• Round 6, Pick 216
  Jeremy Crawshaw, P | Florida
  Grade: B
• Round 7, Pick 241
  Caleb Lohner, TE | Utah
  Grade: C+

Detroit Lions

Overall Draft Grade: B+

Many people were taken aback by the Detroit Lions’ first-round selection. Interior defensive line may not have been the most pressing need for Brad Holmes and company, but Tyleik Williams is an exciting defensive tackle prospect who possesses the kind of raw athleticism and physical tools that get defensive coordinators excited. He’s drawn comparisons to Alim McNeill, and now, he’ll be joining him.

Detroit also addressed the trenches on the other side of the football. After losing Kevin Zeitler in free agency, the Lions needed to add some talent on the interior of their offensive line. Tate Ratledge is an elite athlete with rare explosiveness, agility, and second-level mobility.

His power and athleticism should be a good fit on one of the best offensive line units in the NFL. He should compete with Christian Mahogany for a starting spot next season. Miles Frazier is another guard who played against elite competition in the SEC and could develop into a starter.

The Isaac TeSlaa selection was an underrated pick. He’s a natural talent who needs to expand his route tree, but he’s a high-level athlete with great size and run-after-catch ability. With some development, he has the tools to become a WR3 in the Lions’ offense.

While Detroit added plenty of value, it’s disappointing that they didn’t address their need for edge rushers until Round 6. This was a relatively deep class at the position, and it would’ve been nice to see them go after a player with more upside. Other than that, Holmes came away with a haul that features a good mix of NFL-readiness and potential.

Grades for Every Lions Draft Pick

• Round 1, Pick 28
  Tyleik Williams, DT | Ohio State
  Grade: A-

The expectation was that the Lions would address not just the defensive line but also EDGE in particular. There’s still a need for a true starter opposite Aidan Hutchinson, but the Lions managed to bolster their interior defensive line at 28th overall, selecting Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams.

Williams’ placement on boards varied, but he was a top-25 talent on mine and a sure-fire first-round DT with exciting three-down upside. At 6’3” and 334 pounds, he’s a slab of marble in run defense with unique alignment versatility, and he has the energized build-up speed and power capacity to make an impact as a rusher.

Interestingly enough, Williams profiles similarly to the Lions’ own Alim McNeill, who has developed into a star. Williams has the versatility to line up at 0-tech and 1-tech in odd fronts or at 3-tech and 4i in even fronts, and he’s even taken reps as a play-side 5-tech in run defense. Simply put, Williams is a role-diverse DT with a complete skill set and exciting early value.

• Round 2, Pick 57
  Tate Ratledge, OG | Georgia
  Grade: B+

One of the NFL’s elite offenses entered the draft with very few holes. The Lions may have plugged that need with Tate Ratledge, who could slot in at right guard after Kevin Zeitler departed in free agency.

Ratledge comes with plenty of experience after starting 37 games at Georgia. He possesses an unorthodox build for an interior offensive lineman at 6’7”, but his power and explosiveness should fit beautifully between All-Pros Frank Ragnow and Penei Sewell.

Ratledge should have the inner track to start over 2024 sixth-rounder Christian Mahogany.

• Round 3, Pick 70
  Isaac TeSlaa, WR | Arkansas
  Grade: B-

The Lions force you to automatically consider “devil’s advocate” thought exercises with their unorthodox picks. No one liked the Jahmyr Gibbs pick or the Sam LaPorta pick. Those turned out well. They don’t have Ben Johnson anymore, but the infrastructure is still there, and Isaac TeSlaa is the kind of natural talent who can exceed expectations with the right support.

To be clear, TeSlaa is relatively underdeveloped, and will need to expand his route tree. But at 6’4”, 214 pounds, he’s a 99th-percentile athlete, with 4.43 speed, a 39.5” vertical, a 10’9” broad jump, and a 6.85 three-cone.

He’s a size-speed freak, vertical threat, and potential RAC weapon who can block at a high level. The Lions have a long-term vision for him as a WR3, and he’s a quality rotational spark with run-game utility right out of the gate.

• Round 5, Pick 171
  Miles Frazier, G | LSU
  Grade: A
• Round 6, Pick 196
  Ahmed Hassanein, EDGE | Boise State
  Grade: B+
• Round 7, Pick 230
  Dan Jackson, S | Georgia
  Grade: A
• Round 7, Pick 244
  Dominic Lovett, WR | Georgia
  Grade: A

Green Bay Packers

Overall Draft Grade: C+

The Green Bay Packers got off to a really strong start, landing Matthew Golden at No. 23 overall. He was the top wide receiver prospect on some big boards, so getting him on the back end of Round 1 was a steal.

For a team without a legitimate WR1, Golden carries that kind of upside. Savion Williams is another dynamic weapon who can be used in a variety of ways. The WR room is getting pretty crowded, so it’ll be interesting to see how it shakes out.

The Anthony Belton selection was a bit of a head-scratcher, though. Belton is an enormous tackle with power and length. However, he doesn’t have the ideal athleticism or footwork for an NFL starter. There were other players available at positions of need who would’ve offered better value in Round 2.

On the defensive side of the ball, Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver offer some upside on the front seven. However, they had the opportunity to land players with more upside in the spot where they took Belton.

This isn’t a terrible class, but if you take Golden out of the equation, who are the difference-makers they can hang their hats on?

Grades for Every Packers Draft Pick

• Round 1, Pick 23
  Matthew Golden, WR | Texas
  Grade: A

The Packers came into the draft with a lot of WRs and no WR1s. Matthew Golden has a chance to change that. Golden was my highest-rated WR outside of Travis Hunter and a top-15 overall talent. The Packers score exceptional value getting him at 23rd overall, and he adds a new – and vital – dynamic to their WR room.

At around 5’11”, 195 pounds, Golden isn’t the biggest receiver, but he’s a simultaneously twitchy and smooth route runner with an energized element to his game. He can separate independently with a full route tree and amass RAC yards with his speed and elusiveness, and he’s liquid-smooth at the catch point, with rare instincts and body control for his size.

As a prospect, Golden bears some resemblance to T.Y. Hilton – a born vertical threat with additional utility as a separator and yardage creator, and his usage versatility will enable him to be implemented as a weapon on Day 1 in Matt LaFleur’s scheme.

• Round 2, Pick 54
  Anthony Belton, OT | NC State
  Grade: D-

The Packers haven’t shied away from chances to add to their offensive line in recent years, even when their starting lineup has been largely set. That was the case this year. With several high-quality players available at positions of greater need, they instead decided to take Anthony Belton in Round 2.

The most compelling selling point about Belton is this: He’s big, to an overwhelming extent. At 6’6”, 336 pounds, with 34” arms, he’s hard to get around and break through when he has an anchor.

However, his feet are plodding, he’s not overly flexible, he can lose balance in recovery, and he doesn’t have great athleticism or range as a puller or space blocker. This is poor value regardless of opportunity cost, and multiple high-level CBs were on the board.

• Round 3, Pick 87
  Savion Williams, WR | TCU
  Grade: B+

After snapping their 23-year drought without a first-round wide receiver, the Green Bay Packers took a much more familiar path in picking a Day 2 wide receiver. Of course, using that positional label might be putting Savion Williams in too narrow of a box, as the TCU player is one of the more versatile players in this draft.

Williams was a WR-RB hybrid for the Horned Frogs last year, recording 51 carries for 322 yards and 60 catches for 611 yards (scoring six touchdowns both on the ground and through the air).

His route-running needs major polish, but he’s also one of the best pure athletes in this draft, as evidenced by his 4.48 40-yard dash time and terrific agility. Even if he’s not a full-time wideout, Williams should benefit from developing under Matt LaFleur’s creative offensive mind.

• Round 4, Pick 124
  Barryn Sorrell, EDGE | Texas
  Grade: C+

It was inevitable that the Packers would address their EDGE rotation at some point, and Barryn Sorrell makes a lot of sense in the middle rounds. At 6’3”, 256 pounds, he fits most of Green Bay’s size parameters, yet has very efficient and compact mass, which supplements his play strength.

Sorrell has good explosion and bend for his size, and can reduce his surface area while splicing past the apex, but he also has some speed-to-power. He’s a solid rotational add right away, but there’s an argument to be made that there were more well-rounded players on the board at this pick.

• Round 5, Pick 159
  Collin Oliver, LB | Oklahoma State
  Grade: B
• Round 6, Pick 198
  Warren Brinson, DT | Georgia
  Grade: C+
• Round 7, Pick 238
  Micah Robinson, CB | Tulane
  Grade: B
• Round 7, Pick 250
  John Williams, OL, Cincinnati
  Grade: A

Houston Texans

Overall Draft Grade: B

After the offense took a clear step back in 2024, this offseason should have been all about ensuring C.J. Stroud’s career gets back on track. The Houston Texans scared many early in the offseason by trading away All-Pro left tackle Laremy Tunsil, not an obvious first step after last year’s offensive line ranked 31st by PFSN’s metrics. Still, Stroud should be in a better spot to succeed after Houston’s investment in the draft.

Cam Robinson is a decent stopgap left tackle, but Aireontae Ersery gives Houston a genuine left tackle prospect to develop, without the immediate pressure to play. The interior is still a potential weakness given the Texans’ lack of draft investment there with any of their nine picks.

However, Houston isn’t lacking for options after acquiring Laken Tomlinson and Ed Ingram to go along with Jarrett Patterson, Juice Scruggs, and Tytus Howard (assuming Howard remains a guard instead of returning to tackle).

Drafting both Iowa State wide receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel also rebuilds a wide receiver corps that fell flat due to injuries in 2024. Higgins and Nico Collins have some redundancy, but can both stay on the field as vertical ball-winners. Noel steps into the slot for the departed Stefon Diggs, representing one of the best values of Day 2 after falling to the 79th overall pick.

Most of Houston’s draft resources were spent on offense, a sensible path given the imbalance between the teams and a strong defense that is largely in place. Third-round cornerback Jaylin Smith is an interesting prospect to develop, but won’t need to play right away with Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter locking down the perimeter cornerback roles.

Overall, the Texans look far better equipped to win their third straight AFC South title with a more balanced roster composition than what they had last season. The only quibble with this grade is the lack of offensive line investment beyond Ersery, though that was a solid enough pick at the most important OL position.

Grades for Every Texans Draft Pick

• Round 2, Pick 34
  Jayden Higgins, WR | Iowa State
  Grade: B+

Coming into Day 2 with five selections before Round 4, the Texans could afford to follow their board with their first 2025 selection. There were higher-graded WR prospects on PFSN Draft Analyst Ian Cummings’ board at this spot, but Jayden Higgins is a superb fit alongside Nico Collins as a movement-Z or power-slot receiver in Houston.

At 6’4” and 215 pounds, Higgins has a tremendous blend of size and explosiveness, and on top of that, he’s a reliable catch-point converter with target-funnel ability working the middle of the field. He isn’t an elite separator, especially against the press, but he’s a great utility piece for C.J. Stroud.

• Round 2, Pick 48
  Aireontae Ersery, OT | Minnesota
  Grade: C+

At the very least, the Texans are being proactive when addressing their offensive line on Day 2. They traded up to the 48th pick and took Minnesota’s Aireontae Ersery as their first front-line blocker in their 2025 class. He’ll now join the effort as Houston looks to rework its blocking unit.

Ersery has the size and on-attack explosiveness to mold at 6’6”, 330 pounds. However, he’s still relatively volatile with his overall execution, control, and leverage maintenance later in reps, and deficiencies with recovery flexibility and pad level maintenance could mar his projection.

In my opinion, he projects better at guard, and with Cam Robinson and Tytus Howard in tow, that might be where the Texans envision him. The intent is admirable, but the player and value aren’t without their uncertainty.

• Round 3, Pick 79
  Jaylin Noel, WR | Iowa State
  Grade: A

Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel were no longer on the same team for about two hours. The Texans reunited the Iowa State teammates, rebuilding a receiver corps that went bust last season and looked very thin entering the draft.

While Higgins has some redundancy with Nico Collins, Noel immediately slots in as the slot receiver replacement for Stefon Diggs. He profiles as one of the more pro-ready receiver prospects this year due to his elite athleticism, route-running polish, and sure hands.

As much hype as the Texans’ wide receiver group received last offseason, this year’s group should serve as a more sustainable foundation to grow alongside C.J. Stroud.

• Round 3, Pick 97
  Jaylin Smith, CB | USC
  Grade: C

While Jaylin Smith was largely seen as a late Day 3 prospect, the Texans did get a prospect with excellent versatility. During his collegiate career, Smith played box safety, free safety, outside corner, and slot corner. His fluidity allows him to stick with receivers, but his poor ball production limits his ceiling as a disruptor.

Houston doesn’t come with many needs on defense, and their secondary is in strong shape after extending Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre this offseason. There’s no immediate path to playing time for Smith, so it’ll be more interesting to see where the Texans view his best position as he develops.

• Round 4, Pick 116
  Jo’Quavious Marks, RB, USC
  Grade: B-

Better known as “Woody,” Jo’Quavious Marks had a breakout season for USC as a fifth-year senior in 2024. Marks rushed for 1,133 yards and nine touchdowns, adding 47 receptions for 321 yards through the air. That came after four relatively anonymous seasons at Mississippi State, where Marks never emerged as a clear lead back.

Marks has a strong, compact build and brings significant receiving production, having piled up 261 career receptions in college. He also demonstrates strong hands, with only one drop on 54 targets last season. Although he’s an older rookie (he’ll be 25 at the start of the season), Marks could bring some receiving value and take the load off Joe Mixon.

• Round 6, Pick 187
  Jaylen Reed, S | Penn State
  Grade: B+
• Round 6, Pick 197
  Graham Mertz, Florida | QB
  Grade: C-
• Round 7, Pick 224
  Kyonte Hamilton, DT | Rutgers
  Grade: A
• Round 7, Pick 255
  Luke Lachey, TE | Iowa
  Grade: B

Indianapolis Colts

Overall Draft Grade: C

The Indianapolis Colts entered in need of premium talent on both sides of the ball. Chris Ballard certainly checked off some of the Colts’ needs, but this does feel like an incomplete team without many clear strengths to hang their hat on after ranking 21st in Offense+ and 23rd in Defense+ last season.

Perhaps the pass rush turns into that strength. The Colts picked J.T. Tuimoloau in the second round, giving them a steady edge rusher with three-down upside. Coupled with Samson Ebukam’s return after missing all of 2024 and a potential second-year leap from Laiatu Latu, the Colts could take a leap from last year’s pass rush that ranked 28th in pressure rate.

The pass defense as a whole could be a strength, with third-round cornerback Justin Walley joining a secondary that saw Charvarius Ward and Camryn Bynum arrive in free agency. Indy ranked 24th in defensive pass success rate last season, but the offseason investment in both the pass rush and coverage should result in improvement there.

The offense has a lot of shiny skill position talent after adding tight end Tyler Warren in the first round. To be fair, the position has been a black hole since Jack Doyle’s retirement, and Warren-to-the-Colts was one of the more predictable pre-draft pairings.

Fifth-round running back D.J. Giddens fell due to off-field concerns, but comes with terrific athleticism and explosiveness to potentially give the Colts a better backup for Jonathan Taylor than they’ve had in recent years. Riley Leonard can’t be dismissed as a developmental quarterback either given the uncertain futures for both Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones.

The risk is on the offensive line, where the Colts’ highest pick was OT Jalen Travis in the late fourth round. That leaves Indy depending on second-year pros Tanor Bortolini and Matt Goncalves to start full-time at center and right guard, respectively. It’s entirely plausible that either or both are effective, but expecting no drop-off from Ryan Kelly and Will Fries feels like wishful thinking.

Grades for Every Colts Draft Pick

• Round 1, Pick 14
  Tyler Warren, TE | Penn State
  Grade: A+

In the lead-up to the 2025 NFL Draft, you got the sense that the Indianapolis Colts would’ve been willing to trade up for a top-10 tight end talent like Tyler Warren. Instead, Warren fell right into their lap at 14th overall. This pick gets the highest grade possible, as the ideal confluence of need and best player available.

At around 6’5” and 256 pounds, Warren has the requisite size and athleticism, but he distinguished himself at Penn State with his all-encompassing usage versatility, grueling physicality, and “Alpha” mentality, as well as his hyper-elite catching instincts, hand strength, and clutch gene on high-pressure downs.

Warren is the type of TE who gives you value in every phase at every level. He can be schemed RAC targets, work up the seam and in the red zone, have surprisingly efficient route running ability, and get after it as a blocker. Warren will be a staple early for whoever starts at quarterback, just like he was at Penn State in 2024.

• Round 2, Pick 45
  JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
  Grade: C+

It was expected that perhaps the Colts would target their interior offensive line, an area of significant need entering Day 2. Instead, the Colts spent their first Day 2 selection on an edge defender to complement Kwity Paye and Laiatu Latu. Having high-end depth at a premier position group is valuable; Tuimoloau no doubt provides that and more.

At 6’4”, 265 pounds, with nearly 34” arms, Tuimoloau’s power profile is elite, as is his playmaking instinct off the edge. He can rush from 3-point stances or as a stand-up player, and his force output downhill can be overwhelming. He’s a good player who fits Lou Anarumo’s stylistic preferences, but the decision to pass on interior OL could come back to bite Indianapolis.

• Round 3, Pick 80
  Justin Walley, CB | Minnesota
  Grade: B-

The lack of an “A” grade doesn’t reflect Justin Walley himself. At 5’10”, 190 pounds, Walley is fast, quick, instinctive, and physical, with a high-level playmaking gene. He immediately adds quality depth for the Colts at CB and projects as a potential slot-boundary hybrid over the long term. The lower grade is more of a reflection of what the Colts passed on.

The Colts still desperately need interior offensive line help, and there were several compelling options on the board at this point. With Charvarius Ward, Jaylon Jones, and Kenny Moore II, the Colts didn’t have an immediate need at CB, and now they risk losing opportunities on the blocking front.

• Round 4, Pick 127
  Jalen Travis, OT, Iowa State
  Grade: A

This is a smart pick for the Indianapolis Colts. Braden Smith is nearing the expiration of his contract, and there’s a chance the Colts could be forced to pivot at right tackle. Jalen Travis is as traits-rich as they come, with elite lateral explosiveness, range, and recovery at almost 6’8”, 330 pounds.

Naturally, he needs to be more consistent with his leverage maintenance at his size, but Travis is a great high-upside investment at this point in the draft.

• Round 5, Pick 151
  DJ Giddens, RB | Kansas State
  Grade: B+
• Round 6, Pick 189
  Riley Leonard, QB | Notre Dame
  Grade: B+
• Round 6, Pick 190
  Tim Smith, DT | Alabama
  Grade: B-
• Round 7, Pick 232
  Hunter Wohler, S | Wisconsin
  Grade: A

Jacksonville Jaguars

Overall Draft Grade: B+

The Travis Hunter gamble is one that will define James Gladstone’s tenure as GM. If the Jaguars flop again in 2025 and hand over a top-five pick to the Cleveland Browns, it will go down as another lesson about the dangers of trading up for a non-quarterback.

However, Hunter was among the few blue-chip talents in a draft that lacked consensus game-changing talent. His once-in-a-generation skill set could solve two of the biggest holes on the Jaguars’ roster, while also giving the franchise a level of public interest and exposure that’s harder to quantify but absolutely matters to owners.

Liam Coen said that Hunter will primarily focus on offense to start, giving Trevor Lawrence an incredible one-two punch with Brian Thomas Jr. and Hunter. Given that the Jaguars were nearly a league-average offense by Offense+ despite myriad injuries in 2024, Jacksonville may be back in the top 10 this season.

The rest of the draft was less flashy but effective. Wyatt Milum could start at guard right away (he’ll likely have a camp competition against Ezra Cleveland), while Caleb Ransaw might turn into a developmental nickel behind free agent signing Jourdan Lewis. Day 3 running back Bhayshul Tuten is an intriguing athlete who crushed the Combine.

His arrival raises more questions about Travis Etienne’s future in Jacksonville, as the former first-rounder is entering the last year of his rookie contract. Etienne has been a popular trade target in offseason rumors, and now the Jags potentially have a playable duo without him in Tuten and Tank Bigsby.

Make no mistake, though, this grade is largely a reflection of Hunter’s promise as an incredibly unique weapon. If he hits, Gladstone and the Jags will be praised for doing what it took to improve Lawrence’s supporting cast and get his career back on track. If Hunter disappoints, then Jacksonville paid a premium for a No. 2 receiver and set its franchise even further back.

Grades for Every Jaguars Draft Pick

• Round 1, Pick 2
  Travis Hunter, WR/CB | Colorado
  Grade: A-

The Jaguars wasted no time engineering the 2025 NFL Draft’s first blockbuster, trading the fifth overall pick, second-rounder, fourth-rounder, and 2026 first-round pick to earn the rights to Colorado two-way unicorn Travis Hunter. It’s an incredibly steep price, and one that drives down the value slightly, but Travis Hunter is a player who could be worth the cost.

Playmakers like Hunter simply don’t come around often. On PFSN’s board, he’s one of just two bona fide blue-chip prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. As a wide receiver, he can carve through coverage looks with his explosion, bend, agility, and spatial IQ, generate RAC, and make high-flying grabs. On defense, he’s a generational turnover threat.

The Jaguars spent a lot to get here, but having two third-round picks makes it easier to stomach. Liam Coen likely has a vision for Hunter on both sides of the ball, and they’ll need to iron that plan out, but he’s an instant impact with All-Pro upside.

• Round 3, Pick 88
  Caleb Ransaw, CB | Tulane
  Grade: B-

Round 3 has featured a surprising run on cornerbacks, and that run continues with Tulane’s Caleb Ransaw. Ransaw was a sleeper CB many pinpointed as an ideal Day 3 target, but the Jaguars scooped him up before any other team had a chance to lay claim to his talents.

Ransaw is a bit undersized, but at his size, he’s a supercharged athlete with lightning-quick twitch and 4.33 speed – a trait that shows up both in vertical trail and when attacking downhill from the nickel spot.

The Jaguars already signed Jourdan Lewis as a prospective nickel DB in the short-term, so they’ll have to figure out how to mix and match these pieces, but Ransaw could be a small-school gem with his athletic makeup and maniacal two-phase aggression.

• Round 3, Pick 89
  Wyatt Milum, OG | West Virginia
  Grade: A

One of the higher floor prospects in this draft, West Virginia tackle Wyatt Milum will kick inside to guard due to a lack of arm length. However, his pass protection skills are already very polished, as his hand placement, high football IQ, and play strength give him the tools to succeed inside.

The Jaguars signed Patrick Mekari to start at one of their guard spots, but the other current projected starter is Ezra Cleveland. Considering that Cleveland has been a replacement-level player for much of his career, Milum should have a strong chance to play right away.

• Round 4, Pick 104
  Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech
  Grade: A-

One of the top Combine standouts, Bhayshul Tuten is an intriguing dynamic running back. Tuten comes with home run speed after running an obscene 4.32 40-yard dash at the Combine while weighing 206 pounds. Tuten ran for 1,159 yards this past season for the Hokies, showing he belongs at a Power Four school after transferring from North Carolina A&T.

Travis Etienne is in the final year of his contract and has been the subject of trade rumors throughout the offseason. Whether or not the Jags move on from Etienne, Tuten gives them another option in the backfield to potentially pair with Tank Bigsby down the road.

• Round 4, Pick 107
  Jack Kiser, LB | Notre Dame
  Grade: B-

The Jaguars needed a little linebacker depth, and added it early on Day 3 with Jack Kiser. The Notre Dame product played six years at South Bend, but wasn’t a full-time starter until this past season.

Kiser has good size at 6’1” and 231 pounds, and covers a good amount of ground for someone his size. He’s inconsistent in play identification and will bite on play-action fakes, but possesses the trait to contribute in coverage. That makes him a solid upside play at this stage of the draft, even given that he’ll be 25 as a rookie.

• Round 6, Pick 194
  Jalen McLeod, LB | Auburn
  Grade: C+
• Round 6, Pick 200
  Rayuan Lane III, S | Navy
  Grade: C
• Round 7, Pick 221
  Jonah Monheim, OL | USC
  Grade: B+
• Round 7, Pick 236
  LeQuint Allen, RB, Syracuse
  Grade: A

Kansas City Chiefs

Overall Draft Grade: A-

The Kansas City Chiefs are as well-oiled a machine as any of the 32 organizations. With Andy Reid and Brett Veach entering their ninth year as a coach-GM partnership, it’s no surprise to see that the Chiefs were well in-tune with their roster needs, snatching up values that should give Kansas City ever opportunity to reach its sixth Super Bowl in seven seasons.

Getting Josh Simmons with the final pick of Round 1 was almost too predictable of a coup. Many teams couldn’t afford the risk Simmons brought after tearing his patellar tendon last year, but the Chiefs already signed Jaylon Moore in free agency to serve as the starting left tackle. If Moore works out, he can shift to right tackle to replace Jawaan Taylor next year when Simmons is ready for a full-time role. If not, Simmons can replace Moore and shore up a persistent weakness for the Chiefs in the Patrick Mahomes era.

The defense got plenty of help on Day 2 via a trio of defenders. Omar Norman-Lott and Ashton Gillotte might be limited to passing downs, but both can contribute right away. Kansas City has been overly reliant on Chris Jones and George Karlaftis to carry the pass rush in recent seasons. The rookies give the Chiefs an opportunity to have a bonafide pass rushing rotation, which is particularly important as Jones ages.

On Day 3, fourth-round WR Jalen Royals and fifth-round LB Jeffrey Bassa will be two of the more highly reviewed picks. Both had reasonable chances to go on Day 2, making them excellent values at that stage of the draft.

Royals gives the Chiefs a potential X receiver, which is a hole on the roster after DeAndre Hopkins departed in free agency. Bassa is a rangy linebacker who has plus coverage skills due to his background as a safety. It’s easy to imagine him becoming a sub-package weapon for Steve Spagnuolo.

The Chiefs don’t necessarily need any of their rookies to occupy huge roles right away, so the payoff for this class might not come in 2025. But for the Chiefs’ dynasty to sustain itself, consistently hitting on contributors on rookie contracts is a must. The early reviews suggest this class has a strong chance at producing multiple contributors to keep Mahomes contending for Super Bowls into his 30s.

Grades for Every Chiefs Draft Pick

• Round 1, Pick 32
  Josh Simmons, OT | Ohio State
  Grade: A+

The Chiefs have always excelled at playing the board, and that’s no different this year. After moving back a spot and adding a mid-day three pick, the Chiefs added a top-20 talent at offensive tackle in Josh Simmons. Simmons will presumably replace Jaylon Moore at left tackle, shoring up the Chiefs’ line for the long term.

At 6’5”, 317 pounds, there’s a case to be made that Simmons is the best athlete in the OT class. His space blocking is a sight to behold on tape, and his range at the second level is rivaled only by his hyperactive matching athleticism and elite flexibility, both on recovery and in power absorption.

On top of his athletic gifts, Simmons’ technical tape in 2024 was incredibly clean before a torn patellar tendon ended his season prematurely. But the Chiefs’ selection reaffirms his clean bill of health moving forward, and he has the upside to be a high-level starter in time. Patrick Mahomes will be much more comfortable in the pocket, and that’s a scary thought.

• Round 2, Pick 63
  Omarr Norman-Lott, DT | Tennessee
  Grade: B

Chris Jones may be the best pass-rushing defensive tackle in the NFL, but that doesn’t mean he can do it all alone. Kansas City’s interior was looking awfully thin after Tershawn Wharton and Derrick Nnadi both left in free agency. In adding Omar Norman-Lott, the Chiefs are getting a defensive tackle who brings more pass-rush juice than most of Jones’ DT partners typically have.

Norman-Lott comes with natural leverage as a 6’2” player with nearly 34-inch arms, and had 9.5 sacks the last two seasons for the Volunteers. His explosiveness but relative lack of size (291 pounds) means he’ll probably be limited to passing downs early in his career.

However, that should give Steve Spagnuolo plenty of options to play with on third downs, which is always dangerous for opposing quarterbacks.

• Round 3, Pick 66
  Ashton Gillotte, EDGE | Louisville
  Grade: B

The Chiefs were expected to address the EDGE position at some point, with suspect depth past George Karlaftis. Ashton Gillotte wasn’t the highest-rated EDGE on the board at this juncture, but he no doubt fits the Chiefs’ profile at the position, and his production at the collegiate level speaks for itself.

In four years at Louisville, Gillotte amassed 26.5 sacks and 41 tackles for loss. At a hyperdense 6’2”, 264 pounds, he’s a relentless two-phase attacker with eye-popping point-of-attack power, searing closing burst, and the ankle flexion to reduce his surface area while using heavy hands in the pass-rush phase.

He was sometimes forgotten in this EDGE class, but with the Chiefs, he could soon remind onlookers how good he is.

• Round 3, Pick 85
  Nohl Williams, CB | California
  Grade: B

An experienced player with over 3,000 collegiate snaps, Nohl Williams had an extremely productive 2024 season. The Cal cornerback had seven interceptions and nine pass breakups in 2024, largely playing outside corner.

However, it’s possible the Chiefs have other plans for Williams. He also played in the slot and box safety throughout his college career. Given the Chiefs’ propensity for dime packages, it’s possible Williams develops into a versatile sub-package chess piece that Kansas City uses as a matchup weapon on specific receivers.

• Round 4, Pick 133
  Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State
  Grade: A+

Jalen Royals likely fell down the board due to his medicals, but assuming the Chiefs cleared him and he can get back to 100%, he could go on to be one of the best value acquisitions in the 2025 NFL Draft, bar none. Royals was a top-40 player on my board, and he can be a tremendous movement-Z receiver in Andy Reid’s offense.

At 6’0”, 210 pounds, Royals is well-leveraged, hyper-dense, and equipped with high-end explosiveness and twitch. On top of that, he’s a crisp and efficient route runner, a seam and cross-field splitter with speed, a RAC demon, and an instinctive catch-point adjuster. Alongside Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice, Royals can be the final piece for this WR room.

• Round 5, Pick 156
  Jeffrey Bassa, LB | Oregon
  Grade: B+
• Round 7, Pick 228
  Brashard Smith, RB | SMU
  Grade: A

Las Vegas Raiders

Overall Draft Grade: C

Are the Las Vegas Raiders ready to win now? If you believe the answer to that is yes, then this draft could be seen as the finishing touches on a surprise playoff team. However, as the only AFC team that went winless in division games last year, the Raiders look like a team that eschewed its vegetables in favor of desert, leaving them with some flashier pieces but a lot of holes.

Ashton Jeanty at sixth overall is fine given the lack of premier talent in this draft. While the positional value wasn’t ideal, Jeanty injects a huge playmaking boost to a run game that ranked last in yards per rush and yards after contact per rush in 2024. He might instantly be the best player on the offense, taking some pressure off of Brock Bowers and Geno Smith in the passing game.

However, the Raiders weren’t exactly a finished product on defense, and proceeded to spend just two of their seven picks from Rounds 1-4 on that side of the ball. Cornerback Darien Porter might have to play right away after the Raiders lost Nate Hobbs and Jack Jones this offseason.

As much athletic upside as the Iowa State product possesses, that’s a tall task considering he was mostly a special teams player until his sixth year in college. The other defensive add was DT Tonka Hemingway in the fourth round, an undersized interior player who likely won’t play many snaps right away.

The Raiders did need to add more pass catchers, and Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton add diversity to a wide receiver group that mostly consisted of underneath possession receivers entering the draft. Bech’s route-running should make him an early favorite for Smith, while Thornton’s home run speed is an interesting change-up that was a fine gamble in Round 4.

However, even if Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins are healthier in 2025, the pass rush will need to be elite to make up for a very thin secondary on paper.

The offense should be improved, though it’s questionable if this is really an above-average unit unless some of the young offensive linemen like Jackson Powers-Johnson and D.J. Glaze prove to be plus starters. Las Vegas is more interesting than they’ve been since trading away Derek Carr, but they remain stuck in a difficult division with enough roster holes to make a playoff run a difficult proposition.

Grades for Every Raiders Draft Pick

• Round 1, Pick 6
  Ashton Jeanty, RB | Boise State
  Grade: A

Drafting a running back this early would usually have detractors, but Ashton Jeanty is different. Jeanty drew comparisons to a modern-day Barry Sanders, and his production in 2024 followed suit. Jeanty’s level of competition could be scrutinized, but he has the profile to be just as impactful in the NFL, especially with a Raiders offensive line that was trending up last year.

At 5’8” and almost 220 pounds, Jeanty has an enthralling mix of contact balance, lower-body density, explosiveness, agility, flexibility, and creative IQ. On top of his running ability, he’s also a versatile and well-versed receiver, and he holds legitimate third-down value.

On one hand, the Raiders could’ve selected Armand Membou and forged an elite offensive line, but young pieces such as Jordan Meredith and DJ Glaze showed promise last year, and Jeanty’s creative ability can elevate the unit in front of him.

• Round 2, Pick 58
  Jack Bech, WR | TCU
  Grade: B

The offensive overhaul continues for the Raiders, who first added Ashton Jeanty in Round 1. In Round 2, they’re adding to their receiving core, pairing TCU’s Jack Bech with reliable veteran Jakobi Meyers. Bech and Meyers should comprise the primary WR duo for Geno Smith.

At 6’1”, 214 pounds, Bech’s size and play strength are obvious pluses, and he’s as sure-handed as they come at the catch point. Beyond those surface-level qualities, he’s also an incredibly quick and sudden route runner, with the agility and fluidity to underscore a full route tree and alignment versatility. He’s not the most dynamic, but he’ll be a solid pro, and Las Vegas can use more of those.

• Round 3, Pick 68
  Darien Porter, CB | Iowa State
  Grade: B-

The Raiders’ cornerback room was startlingly thin heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, so it makes sense that they’d address that at the top of Round 3. The player choice, however, is intriguing. With Shavon Revel on the board, the Raiders chose to take a player with less injury uncertainty in Darien Porter instead.

Porter is a freak athlete at 6’3”, 190 pounds, and a good fit for Pete Carroll’s Cover 3 zone scheme. He’s not just fast and explosive, but also unnaturally twitchy for his size. That said, he’s not as fluid or well-rounded as Revel, and his tackling and take-on form are inconsistent in support. On top of that, he’ll be a 24-year-old rookie.

Porter has potential and immediate special-teams utility, but if Revel’s medicals cleared, he should have been the pick. If not, this makes more sense.

• Round 3, Pick 98
  Caleb Rogers, OT | Texas Tech
  Grade: B-

The Raiders could have added to their interior defensive line here, and quality options would’ve been available. That would’ve been a better value play, but supplementing the offensive line is an equally solid move from a philosophical standpoint. Caleb Rogers is a nice, if unspectacular, addition late on Day 2.

Rogers started 55 games during his career at Texas Tech, both guard and tackle. Most of his experience came at right tackle, where he could feasibly challenge DJ Glaze for the starting job.

Either way, he provides excellent depth and positional versatility, an exceptional mix of athleticism, blocking in space, size, compact mass, and technical proficiency.

• Round 3, Pick 99
  Charles Grant, OT | William & Mary
  Grade: B+

One of the more intriguing Day 2 OTs, Charles Grant will need a little development time as he transitions to the NFL from FCS William & Mary. However, Grant is an extremely fluid mover for an offensive tackle and could be a particularly excellent blocker on zone runs.

In the short term, the Raiders seem set at tackle with Kolton Miller and D.J. Glaze. However, Glaze is unproven as a second-year pro, while Miller enters the final year of his contract. Therefore, after a redshirt year, the nimble Grant could theoretically be ready to plug into the Raiders’ starting lineup.

• Round 4, Pick 108
  Dont’e Thornton Jr., WR, Tennessee
  Grade: B

The Raiders are putting some talented weapons around new quarterback Geno Smith. After bolstering their running game with Ashton Jeanty in Round 1, they added a sure-handed wide receiver in Jack Bech. Now, Las Vegas adds another highly athletic receiver in Thornton.

Thornton possesses a rare combination of size, length, and speed. His burners make him a legitimate downfield threat and home-run hitter. The biggest knock on him is his limited route tree. However, the Raiders entered the draft needing more playmakers alongside Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers, and that’s what they are getting in Thornton.

• Round 4, Pick 135
  Tonka Hemingway, DT, South Carolina
  Grade: C+

After addressing their offense early and often, the Raiders turn their attention to the defensive side of the ball. Las Vegas is relatively strong on the defensive line, led by Maxx Crosby, Christian Wilkins, and Malcolm Koonce, but their depth is severely depleted.

Tonka Hemingway is a strong athlete who has a basketball background and used to be an edge rusher. He has an explosive first step and showed that he has the versatility to play multiple positions on the defensive front.

However, he lacks elite size and power, which could limit his versatility at the next level. Still, his athletic traits are enticing for a defense that needs more disruptive playmakers.

• Round 6, Pick 180
  J.J. Pegues, DT | Ole Miss
  Grade: B+
• Round 6, Pick 213
  Tommy Mellott, WR | Montana State
  Grade: C-
• Round 6, Pick 215
  Cam Miller, QB | North Dakota State
  Grade: B
• Round 7, Pick 222
  Cody Lindenberg, LB | Minnesota
  Grade: A-

Los Angeles Chargers

Overall Draft Grade: C+

The Los Angeles Chargers entered with needs on both sides of the ball, a bit of an unusual position for a playoff team. And while Justin Herbert has to be happy with the draft return, the lopsided distribution of picks could leave Jesse Minter’s defense struggling to replicate last year’s fourth-place finish.

Let’s start with the positives. Omarion Hampton gives Jim Harbaugh his coveted bellcow running back, as his vision and three-down value should be a beautiful fit in Greg Roman’s offense. With Najee Harris around to handle short-yardage situations, Hampton shouldn’t have to carry the full workload right away.

Ole Miss’ Tre Harris was a nice get in the second round, as the 2024 FBS leader in receiving yards per game serves as the Chargers’ sorely needed X receiver. His deep-ball ability should complement Ladd McConkey’s work out of the slot, giving Herbert a more well-rounded receiver corps to target.

Los Angeles also added more pass catchers on Day 3 in wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith (Round 4) and tight end Oronde Gadsden II (Round 5). Neither has a clear role right away, but they’ll put pressure on the likes of Quentin Johnston and Will Dissly to remain productive, and give the Chargers better depth options to turn to that they didn’t have in Harbaugh’s first season.

However, the defense only received two of the Chargers’ top seven picks, which could leave them in a dicey spot. LA saw a lot of turnover on its front, losing Joey Bosa, Poona Ford, and Morgan Fox, among others.

Keeping Khalil Mack and Teair Tart was an important piece of business, but both are on one-year deals. DT Jamaree Caldwell and EDGE Kyle Kennard (the reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year) may need to play right away, and it’s surprising to see the Chargers not build a more sustainable long-term foundation in the defensive trenches.

The Chargers could still easily return to the playoffs behind an improved run game and more balanced Herbert-led passing attack. Just don’t expect a successful Chargers season to look like it did in 2024, when the defense was the team’s clear strength.

Grades for Every Chargers Draft Pick

• Round 1, Pick 22
  Omarion Hampton, RB | North Carolina
  Grade: B-

It was a fairly accepted stance that multiple running backs would go in Round 1, but there wasn’t any consensus on the landing spots. The Chargers entered the fray at 22nd overall when it was all said and done, selecting Omarion Hampton out of North Carolina.

On the one hand, it would’ve been nice for the Chargers to address defensive tackle or wide receiver in Round 1 – both are in greater need after Los Angeles signed Najee Harris. But Harris is also only on a one-year deal, and outside of Matthew Golden, the board didn’t fall too well for L.A. at positions of need.

From a bird’s eye view, this pick is quite simple, in actuality. The Chargers have revamped their offensive line, and Jim Harbaugh greatly values the running game. He has an explosive, high-end volume back under contract for at least four years. This was perhaps a slight reach in a deep RB class, but Hampton can put up big numbers in Greg Roman’s scheme with his seam-splitting speed, vision, and downhill physicality.

• Round 2, Pick 55
  Tre Harris, WR | Ole Miss
  Grade: A

Los Angeles is going all-in on the offensive side of the ball to start the 2025 NFL Draft. In Round 1, they added a young, up-and-coming volume back, and in Round 2, they snagged an X-receiver to complement Ladd McConkey at exceptional value, bringing in Ole Miss’ Tre Harris.

At 6’2”, 205 pounds, Harris could have a peak projection similar to prime Allen Robinson. At his size, he’s impressively explosive and fluid, with quick twitch and retraction ability on route breaks that catch you off-guard.

He’s an instinctive catcher with acrobatic vertical ability, but he’s not just flashy: He’s workmanlike with his hands and stem work and can be a vital completing piece for Justin Herbert’s WR corps.

• Round 3, Pick 86
  Jamaree Caldwell, DT | Oregon
  Grade: A-

The Chargers needed to address their interior defensive line at some point, and they did that here by selecting Oregon’s Jamaree Caldwell. Standing at a stout 6’2”, 332 pounds, Caldwell projects best as the Chargers’ new nose tackle, but he has some intriguing role and alignment versatility at that size.

Caldwell will be best at 0-tech and 1-tech in Los Angeles’ scheme, but for a nose tackle, he has surprising juice as a pass-rusher. He has the lateral agility and light feet to offset blockers while using violent hands and torque to decouple and work past the opposition.

His run-game consistency can still improve, but Caldwell is heavy, well-leveraged, and athletic for his size, with a motor that fits what Jim Harbaugh covets.

• Round 4, Pick 125
  Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina
  Grade: B

The SEC Defensive Player of the Year arrives to a Chargers defense that doesn’t have much in the way of long-term stability on the edge. Joey Bosa was released this offseason, while 34-year-old Khalil Mack returned on a one-year deal. As such, Kyle Kennard is a nice investment in the future.

Kennard led the SEC with 11.5 sacks as a fifth-year senior, a huge breakout after he had 13 sacks his first four seasons combined. At 6’4” and 254 pounds, Kennard possesses prototypical size to play 3-4 OLB, and his 34-inch arms allow him to swat passes and get into the chest of offensive tackles. He might be a designated pass rusher early on, but that holds plenty of value for a rookie.

• Round 5, Pick 158
  Keandre Lambert-Smith, WR | Auburn
  Grade: C+
• Round 5, Pick 165
  Oronde Gadsden II, TE | Syracuse
  Grade: A
• Round 6, Pick 199
  Branson Taylor, OT | Pittsburgh
  Grade: C+
• Round 6, Pick 214
  R.J. Mickens, S | Clemson
  Grade: C+
• Round 7, Pick 256
  Trikweze Bridges, DB | Oregon
  Grade: A-

Los Angeles Rams

Overall Draft Grade: B-

Terrance Ferguson is a very interesting TE prospect given his athletic profile, and he was Los Angeles’ first pick of the draft (46th overall). Many will question this team not addressing the defensive side of the ball with this pick.

While we would have leaned that way as well (they ended up drafting EDGE Josaiah Stewart in the third round), a ready-made pass catcher for a team that is in win-now mode due to the age of Matthew Stafford, I think this pick can be justified rather easily.

If you want to nitpick this draft, Jarquez Hunter in the fourth round was a little odd given the excellence of Kyren Williams, but I think they covered for any loss in value there by selecting a hulking defensive tackle in Ty Hamilton out of Ohio State.

The Rams were the sixth-worst defense in terms of yards allowed before contact per carry a season ago, and, even as a fifth-round pick, Hamilton might be able to make an impact in 2025.

Grades for Every Rams Draft Pick

• Round 2, Pick 46
  Terrance Ferguson, TE | Oregon
  Grade: B+

With the first selection of their 2025 NFL Draft class, the Rams selected Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson. It was a slightly off-the-wall pick, especially with the quality of CB talent still on the board – but Ferguson is a well-rounded player and an elite athlete with exciting potential in Sean McVay’s scheme.

At 6’5” and over 250 pounds, Ferguson is explosive, fleet-footed, and fluid as a route runner, physical as a RAC threat, and flashes high-end body control on adjustments. Focus drops can sometimes be an issue, but overall, Ferguson is a role and alignment-diverse TE with high-end tools, dutiful blocking ability, and value as an offensive foil.

• Round 3, Pick 90
  Josaiah Stewart, EDGE | Michigan
  Grade: C+

If you’re the Rams, this may be where you should consider adding Jalen Milroe as a long-term developmental quarterback behind Matthew Stafford. Los Angeles, however, decided to instead bolster their EDGE rotation by adding Michigan’s Josaiah Stewart.

Even at the EDGE position, Stewart wasn’t close to the highest-rated prospect on my board; Bradyn Swinson held that honor. Stewart profiles more as a designated pass-rush specialist at his size, but to his credit, he does play bigger than his size in the run game.

His ultimate ceiling is unclear without high-end speed at his size, but alongside Jared Verse and Byron Young, he helps make a strong Rams rush stronger.

• Round 4, Pick 117
  Jarquez Hunter, RB, Auburn
  Grade: B-

We’ve seen a pretty notable run on running backs in Round 4. It makes sense for the Rams to address their depth at the position. Kyren Williams leads the charge. Now, Jarquez Hunter will compete with Blake Corum for touches.

This does seem a bit early for Hunter, as guys like Dylan Sampson and DJ Giddens were still on the board. However, the Auburn product is a tone-setter who runs with physicality. He also has good vision and instincts as a runner. He may never become a lead back, but he has the skill set to make plays in both the run and pass game. He should be a solid rotational back to help spell Williams.

• Round 5, Pick 148
  Ty Hamilton, DT | Ohio State
  Grade: A
• Round 5, Pick 172
  Chris Paul Jr., LB | Ole Miss
  Grade: A
• Round 7, Pick 242
  Konata Mumpfield, WR | Pittsburgh
  Grade: A+

Miami Dolphins

Overall Draft Grade: C+

To the Dolphins’ credit, they did what many people wanted them to do: Focus on the trenches. They spent their first two picks, and half of their overall selections, on trench players, and their second-round pick – Jonah Savaiinaea – was one of the best confluences of need and “best player available” in the entire draft.

Savaiinaea should be an impact starter at guard, and even though the Kenneth Grant selection was too rich, Grant does have high upside in a niche where that kind of two-phase, three-down potential is relatively difficult to find. The problem is, the Dolphins didn’t build off of the Grant selection as well as they could have.

They essentially drafted three variations of nose tackles. Jordan Phillips is a young block absorber who offers little disruptive ability at this point in time. Zeek Biggers is an explosive space-eater who’s also limited beyond his primary function at the moment.

Next to Grant and Zach Sieler, the Dolphins still have a deficiency on the defensive line, and that could impact Grant’s development. But beyond that, Miami’s other picks were solid enough.

Jason Marshall Jr. has some potential as a nickel defender, and Dante Trader Jr. is a natural mover at safety. Quinn Ewers was acceptable value in Round 7, and if Ollie Gordon II can recapture his 2023 magic, he’ll be a steal. Miami did enough to stay afloat, but can they deliver on their bolder picks? That remains to be seen.

Grades for Every Dolphins Draft Pick

• Round 1, Pick 13
  Kenneth Grant, DT | Michigan
  Grade: C

With the 13th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins addressed the trenches – but perhaps not on the side of the ball fans would’ve preferred. However, options were sparse on the offensive line at this value, making it easier for the Dolphins to follow their board and select Kenneth Grant.

Grant is a unique player in that he fills a specific niche very well in theory. At 6’3”, 330 pounds, he’s a block of rock on the interior, with “dancing bear” athleticism and agility both in the pass-rush phase and in recovery as a run defender. He’s a visibly better space-eater and gap defender at 0-tech and 1-tech than Mazi Smith was coming out, and there’s legitimate pass-rush juice, too.

As a complete NFL player, Grant still has some development to undergo, as down-to-down consistency and conditioning can sometimes be an issue. On the draft board, in a very deep DT class with multiple nose tackle candidates, this was a reach – but few nose tackles have Grant’s sheer upside alongside Zach Sieler if he can continue trending up.

• Round 2, Pick 37
  Jonah Savaiinaea, OG | Arizona
  Grade: A

The Dolphins are hitting the interior of their trenches hard. Their first-round pick caught scrutiny across the board, but their second-round pick appears to be a much better value acquisition.

Jonah Savaiinaea, at 6’5 “, 330 pounds, has the high-level athleticism and power profile to not only be a picture-perfect scheme fit but an eventual impact starter.

Savaiinaea mainly played right tackle at Arizona, but he projects much better on the interior, where he can use his explosive athleticism, space blocking ability, low center of gravity, torquing capacity, and finisher mentality to overwhelm opponents. He fills a major need, and he does so with effective traits.

• Round 5, Pick 143
  Jordan Phillips, DT | Maryland
  Grade: C+
• Round 5, Pick 150
  Jason Marshall Jr., CB | Florida
  Grade: D
• Round 5, Pick 155
  Dante Trader Jr., S | Maryland
  Grade: C
• Round 6, Pick 179
  Ollie Gordon II, RB | Oklahoma State
  Grade: C-
• Round 7, Pick 231
  Quinn Ewers, QB | Texas
  Grade: B+
• Round 7, Pick 253
  Zeek Biggers, DT, Georgia Tech
  Grade: A

Minnesota Vikings

Overall Draft Grade: B

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and the Minnesota Vikings’ front office came away with a well-rounded draft class, filling a few needs on both sides of the ball. The team’s first-round selection of Donovan Jackson stands out as a potential game-changer.

Minnesota made it a priority to revamp the interior of their offensive line in free agency, adding former Colts Ryan Kelly and Will Fries. Jackson has great power and lateral mobility. He’s tough to move and tough to get around. His addition could put a bow on what may be one of the most complete offensive lines in football next season.

Tai Felton is a solid value addition to the WR room that already has Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jalen Nailor. Felton’s calling card is his speed and ability to stretch the field vertically.

Kobe King and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins are quality contributors coming from blue-blood programs. While they won’t be needed as starters in 2025, they offer depth and upside for the future.

The Vikings didn’t make a ton of picks in this year’s draft, but they left with value that should benefit them next season and beyond.

Grades for Every Vikings Draft Pick

• Round 1, Pick 24
  Donovan Jackson, OG | Ohio State
  Grade: B+

The Minnesota Vikings had a plethora of options to improve the secondary at 23rd overall, but instead, they decided to further bolster their offensive line, filling the final starting spot with Donovan Jackson. It’s not a flashy move, but you can’t fault the Vikings for choosing to protect J.J. McCarthy, and they couldn’t have picked a better remaining player.

At 6’4”, 315 pounds, with near-34” arms, Jackson has a picture-perfect combination of natural leverage, compact mass, and proportional length, and he closed out his career on a high note in 2024, winning a national championship and producing high-level film at both guard and tackle.

Guard is where Jackson will slot in for Minnesota, and he profiles best there with his stout, squatty build and heavy hands. In a phone booth, he stays square and gathers rushers with ease, and he can cover ground and drive punishing power in the run game. This is a high-floor pick first and foremost, but it accomplishes a goal and fills a pressing need for Minnesota.

• Round 3, Pick 102
  Tai Felton, WR | Maryland
  Grade: A-

There were higher-rated options on my board at the WR position – among them Jalen Royals and Tory Horton – but Tai Felton is still a great value addition to close out Round 3. More importantly, he’s a great schematic fit for Kevin O’Connell, alongside Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jalen Nailor.

Felton makes his money as a speed threat with slippery short-area athleticism as a contrast to his vertical ability. He can stretch the field and explode up seams, but he also has the athletic gifts to extend short passes and weave through crowds.

Focus drops can be an issue, but for J.J. McCarthy, Felton has dual-sided upside as a short-range safety blanket and an intermediate zone coverage gasher.

• Round 5, Pick 139
  Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DT | Georgia
  Grade: A-
• Round 6, Pick 201
  Kobe King, LB | Penn State
  Grade: B+
• Round 6, Pick 202
  Gavin Bartholomew, TE | Pittsburgh
  Grade: C+

New England Patriots

Overall Draft Grade: A

Eliot Wolf and Mike Vrabel, take a bow. The Patriots put together one of the strongest, most complete classes in the entire 2025 NFL Draft, and they did it with almost unmatched consistency across the three-day event. It started with Will Campbell: A no-brainer pick at No. 4 overall as a near blue-chip tackle. It continued with TreVeyon Henderson – not an immediate need, but an incredibly good and versatile football player.

Then, later on Day 2, the Patriots added a high-level separator, RAC, and vertical threat for Drake Maye in Kyle Williams, and they also brought in a potential long-term starter at center in Jared Wilson.

On Day 3, the value continued to roll in. Craig Woodson has well-rounded two-phase ability and starter traits. Joshua Farmer is an astronomical talent on the interior. Bradyn Swinson was a top-50 talent at EDGE off film alone, and the Patriots got him in Round 5. Later, they added another versatile weapon in Brashard Smith.

The only potential knock you could ascribe to the Patriots’ class is that they spent two picks on special teams players: A kicker in Round 6, and a long snapper in Round 7. But the opportunity cost is minimal in the later rounds, and the Patriots did so much great work with their early and middle-round picks that it didn’t matter all too much in the end.

Grades for Every Patriots Draft Pick

• Round 1, Pick 4
  Will Campbell, OT | LSU
  Grade: A-

With a franchise quarterback to protect in Drake Maye, it’s no surprise that the Patriots used their top-five selection in the 2025 NFL Draft to shore up their protection unit. Will Campbell accomplishes that goal with aplomb, profiling as a near blue-chip prospect on the blind side.

The only reason this pick doesn’t get an A+ is because Armand Membou is slightly higher on my board, but Campbell is still a top-five prospect, with a long-term starter projection. His athleticism at 6’6”, 319 pounds underpins his game, but he’s also polished with his feet, violent with his hands, and well-versed in both phases of the game.

At his size, Campbell does play a bit tall with his pads at times, and his sub-33” arms were the source of debate all throughout the draft season. However, Campbell is one of the few who have the physical gifts, operational strengths, and competitive mentality to supersede any limitations and lock down the left side.

• Round 2, Pick 38
  TreVeyon Henderson, RB | Ohio State
  Grade: B

The Patriots had more pressing needs at both WR and EDGE, with solid value on the board at both spots, so taking an RB early in a deep RB class will have its downsides. But Antonio Gibson is on a short-term deal, and Rhamondre Stevenson’s consistency has been an issue at times. TreVeyon Henderson improves the rotation’s floor, and he can offer much more than that.

At around 5’10”, 202 pounds, Henderson is a compact, low-to-the-ground runner with stellar slashing explosiveness, one-cut agility, finishing physicality, and receiving versatility.

He’s a ready-made pass-catching threat and a bouncer as a pass blocker – a trait that’ll help improve Drake Maye’s security. The Patriots will need to address remaining needs later on, but Henderson is nothing but a quality addition.

• Round 3, Pick 69
  Kyle Williams, WR | Washington State
  Grade: A

Entering the draft, one of the most obvious needs league-wide was the Patriots’ left tackle spot. The Patriots’ wide receiver corps might have been second on that list, and New England finally addressed the position with a strong value in Kyle Williams.

The Washington State product rose up draft boards late in the process after excelling at the Senior Bowl and running a 4.4 at the Combine. His ability to beat press coverage at the line of scrimmage should inject New England with a sorely needed dose of plus route-running, giving him solid YAC upside as a Z receiver.

Williams should challenge for the No. 2 receiver spot next to Stefon Diggs right away.

• Round 3, Pick 95
  Jared Wilson, C | Georgia
  Grade: B+

The New England Patriots went four-for-four in picking offensive players through the first two days of the draft. Regardless of how Drake Maye turns out, he can’t say the Patriots didn’t try to support his development.

Jared Wilson is the third interior offensive lineman from Georgia to go off the board on Friday. Wilson was only a one-year starter for the Bulldogs, but he impressed in pass protection with his strong base and hand usage.

While the Patriots have veteran Garrett Bradbury around as a short-term solution, seeing Wilson sooner rather than later wouldn’t be surprising.

• Round 4, Pick 106
  Craig Woodson, S, California
  Grade: A

This is a sneaky pick for the Patriots that we happen to like a lot. The long-term futures of both Jabrill Peppers and Kyle Dugger are uncertain, and soon enough, the Patriots would have to look at a succession plan. Woodson has a chance to be an upgrade, and he’s one of the most well-rounded safeties in the class.

At 6’0”, 200 pounds, Woodson is strong, intelligent, and quick to respond in run defense, and as a coverage defender, he has excellent fluidity and spatial reasoning skills. A two-phase playmaker with an underscoring reliability, he’ll be able to deliver beyond his capital in the years to come.

• Round 4, Pick 137
  Joshua Farmer, DT, Florida State
  Grade: A

Joshua Farmer felt like a potential Day 2 selection as a disruptive pass rusher who had nine sacks and 15 TFLs the last two seasons. Farmer profiles as a potential 3-technique, where the Patriots are already deep with Milton Williams and Christian Barmore.

Farmer brings a broad build at 6’3”, 305-pounds with extremely long 35-inch arms for a DT. Coupled with his explosive movement, Farmer was able to overwhelm most college guards, and has decently polished hands for pass rushing.

His selection might be an ominous sign for Barmore, though, who missed all but four games in 2024 due to repeated blood clot issues. For what it’s worth, the Patriots did indicate that Barmore will participate in offseason activities, so this could simply be about building depth and adding insurance.

• Round 5, Pick 146
  Bradyn Swinson, EDGE | LSU
  Grade: A+
• Round 6, Pick 182
  Andres Borregales, K | Miami
  Grade: C-
• Round 7, Pick 220
  Marcus Bryant, OT | Missouri
  Grade: C+
• Round 7, Pick 251
  Julian Ashby, LS, Vanderbilt
  Grade: C-
• Round 7, Pick 257
  Kobee Minor, CB | Memphis
  Grade: B+

New Orleans Saints

Overall Draft Grade: C

The vision is sound, but the execution is open to questioning. Kelvin Banks Jr. was their first pick (ninth overall), and while he comes to town with all of the physical traits you could ask for, his lack of attention to detail at the position is a concern.

That’s not to say that he will be a bust, but in drafting a centerpiece lineman ahead of securing a long-term solution to the QB position, you need him to be a massive hit and it’s fair to question if we will see that.

Speaking of the quarterback, Tyler Shough was a much talked about second round selection. The pride of Louisville has the type of physical traits that scream ‘long term starter’, but the problem is that “long-term” for him isn’t what it is for most first year QBs (26 years old).

If the team commits to him this season, taking a cautious approach with Derek Carr, then this grade would move closer to a ‘B’, but without clarity to his 2025 role, an older prospect comes with plenty of roster building risk.

Grades for Every Saints Draft Pick

• Round 1, Pick 9
  Kelvin Banks Jr., OT | Texas
  Grade: B-

The first pick of the Kellen Moore era in New Orleans is an offensive lineman – a fitting development after Moore won a Super Bowl with the OL-heavy Philadelphia Eagles. This year, it’s Kelvin Banks Jr. who anchors the Saints’ draft class.

Banks passes all of the cosmetic tests for a prospect. He’s a three-year starter, a first-team all-conference performer, a former five-star recruit, and a player of rare pedigree at 6’5”, 315 pounds, with 33 1/2” arms. The Saints presumably see a long-term future for Banks at tackle opposite Taliese Fuaga after declining Trevor Penning’s fifth-year option, but Banks could also provide value at guard.

Ultimately, the knock here is that Banks isn’t quite a top-10 player in the class. He’s athletic, experienced, and extremely physical, but even after three seasons as a starter, he still experiences lapses with balance, leverage maintenance, footwork, and hand precision. Those flaws may eventually force a move to guard, but with further refinement, he could stick at tackle.

• Round 2, Pick 40
  Tyler Shough, QB | Louisville
  Grade: B

The first quarterback of the Day 2 slate has been taken off the board – and it’s not Shedeur Sanders. It’s surprising, but reports from those keyed in with New Orleans suggested he wasn’t the preferred choice for Kellen Moore. Now, Moore gets his choice in Louisville’s Tyler Shough.

Shough is a polarizing prospect, to say the least. He’ll be a 26-year-old rookie, and his injury history is a long one. But of the remaining QBs, he’s one of the most talented.

He’s big, athletic, malleable off-platform, and has easy velocity generation and angle freedom, and his flashes of progression work and fearlessness are inspiring. With Derek Carr’s availability uncertain, Shough’s talent and experience ensure that he could start early on, and the long-term upside is there.

• Round 3, Pick 71
  Vernon Broughton, DT | Texas
  Grade: D

Defensive tackle was a secondary need for the New Orleans Saints entering the
draft. However, Vernon Broughton was a bit of a head-scratching pick, as most had him pegged as a Day 3 prospect.

The Texas defensive tackle (6’5”, 311 pounds) played five seasons in college, with four of his 6.5 sacks coming in 2024. He has enough first-step quickness to potentially make hay as a 3-technique but doesn’t have enough power to consistently shed blockers.

Most of his value lies in the pass rush, and he needs a fair amount of refinement there to contribute regular snaps.

• Round 3, Pick 93
  Jonas Sanker, S | Virginia
  Grade: B-

The Saints are set at safety in the short term with Justin Reid and Tyrann Mathieu. Therefore, Jonas Sanker represents a future investment at the position, potentially taking over for the Honey Badger as he approaches the end of his career.

Sanker emulates Mathieu’s versatility and physicality. He excels in the box in run support but also has decent coverage chops after playing snaps in the slot for Virginia.

Due to his stiff hips, he’s not an ideal fit in man coverage, but Sanker could eventually become a versatile zone coverage piece for the Saints.

• Round 4, Pick 112
  Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma
  Grade: B-

The Saints passed on an opportunity to add more weaponry for rookie QB Tyler Shough, and instead supplemented their linebacker room with Oklahoma’s Danny Stutsman. Linebacker wasn’t the most pressing position to address here, but Demario Davis is getting older, and Stutsman does have starting potential.

Stustman has size, speed, and tenacity on the attack, and he was one of the most productive LBs in the class at the collegiate level. His range, tackling ability, and physicality forge a solid floor, and if he can improve his coverage feel, he could reach an even higher tier as a three-down player. There’s work to do, but he has the goods.

• Round 4, Pick 131
  Quincy Riley, CB | Louisville
  Grade: A

Many thought Quincy Riley could go on Day 2, leaving the Saints with a strong value near the end of the fourth round. Riley thrives as a zone coverage corner due to his tackling and ball skills, which resulted in 29 passes defended over the last two seasons.

Riley profiles as a perimeter cornerback, which was a significant need for New Orleans after losing Paulson Adebo in free agency and trading away Marshon Lattimore last season. If Riley can play right away, that would allow Alontae Taylor to remain in his more natural slot corner role.

• Round 6, Pick 184
  Devin Neal, RB | Kansas
  Grade: A
• Round 7, Pick 248
  Moliki Matavao, TE | UCLA
  Grade: B+
• Round 7, Pick 254
  Fadil Diggs, EDGE | Syracuse
  Grade: A

New York Giants

Overall Draft Grade: B

For better or worse, the ultimate ruling of the New York Giants’ 2025 NFL Draft class will be decided by Jaxson Dart’s outcome. If he becomes the franchise QB they believe he can be, then this class is a success. If Dart ends up being a bust, then it’ll be an irreconcilable stain on an otherwise excellent haul.

The Dart move was aggressive, and somewhat borne out of desperation for Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll, but at the very least, Dart does have the athleticism, toughness, and elastic arm to grow into a quality starter in time.

And credit where credit is due: The rest of the draft was stellar for New York. Abdul Carter is a blue-chip player, Darius Alexander and Marcus Mbow can be starters in the trenches. Cam Skattebo is a great RB to add to the stable, Thomas Fidone is a quality TE2, and Korie Black is good depth.

Dart’s development will make or break this group to a degree, but players like Carter also have the potential to impact the franchise in a positive way far past any QB transition. The Giants’ talent core has greatly improved, but it’s the wild card at QB that will shape the fate of the entire regime.

Grades for Every Giants Draft Pick

• Round 1, Pick 3
  Abdul Carter, EDGE | Penn State
  Grade: A+

It was essentially chalk for weeks leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft that the New York Giants were the favorites to land Abdul Carter. Now they’ve made that official, selecting one of two bona fide blue-chip talents in the class with the third overall pick.

The 2024 season was just Carter’s first year as a full-time EDGE, and he amassed 12 sacks and 24 tackles for loss, earning All-American honors in the process. At his 6’3”, 250-pound size, he has perhaps the most dynamic explosiveness of any EDGE prospect of the last five cycles – at least – and his combined burst, bend, hand strength, pursuit speed, and motor can overwhelm.

In the short term, the Giants have an abundance of EDGE talent with Carter, Brian Burns, and Kayvon Thibodeaux, but Thibodeaux’s long-term future is murky, emphasizing Carter’s value. Carter can be a game-wrecker off the line, and his off-ball background grants him additional versatility.

• Round 1, Pick 25
  Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
  Grade: C

We knew someone was going to trade back into the first round for a quarterback, the only question was who and when. In the end, it was the New York Giants who made the first move, trading with the Texans to acquire the 25th overall pick, where they then selected Jaxson Dart.

The move to add Dart has an undertone of desperation; Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen need results to save their jobs, and drafting a young QB can be a way to extend one’s window of opportunity. Dart is in an ideal situation where he has a WR1 in Malik Nabers and doesn’t have to start right away with Russell Wilson in-house – but he has work to do in order to reach his ceiling.

There are redeeming qualities with Dart. He’s athletic, competitive, and flashes legitimate middle-of-field anticipation, and his arm is supremely loose and elastic. But the Ole Miss offense didn’t insulate many NFL-translatable processing skills, and he’ll need to become a more consistent progression thrower. Dart has some time to sit and learn as it stands, but there will undoubtedly be pressure at some point in New York. He has to be ready when it comes.

• Round 3, Pick 65
  Darius Alexander, DT | Toledo
  Grade: B

The Giants aren’t messing around in the trenches this year. After spending the third overall pick on Abdul Carter, New York has beefed up its interior with another strong pass rusher in Toledo’s Darius Alexander. The Senior Bowl standout can play from the 1-technique through the 4i, making him an intriguing pair with Dexter Lawrence.

Alexander’s age (he’ll turn 25 in August) and small-school pedigree dropped him in the draft. However, his quick first step and heavy hands allow him to penetrate in one-gapping schemes, and his motor should play well in a situational pass rushing role. With Carter and Alexander joining Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence, and Kayvon Thibodeaux, the Giants suddenly look very deep on the defensive line.

• Round 4, Pick 105
  Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State
  Grade: B+

Regardless of who’s playing quarterback for the Giants in 2025, Joe Schoen and the front office are making it a point to ensure they have talented weapons in the running game. New York got a steal with Tyrone Tracy Jr. in the 5th round a season ago. He finished with over 1,000 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns. Cam Skattebo adds a different element to the Giants’ rushing attack.

Skattebo is a powerful runner who breaks tackles and excels in tight lanes. He’s a rare specimen and a bruiser in the ground game, but he’s also proven to be a capable weapon catching passes out of the backfield. After moving on from Saquon Barkley, it’s clear New York wants to put together a formidable rushing attack again with Skattebo and Tracy.

• Round 5, Pick 154
  Marcus Mbow, OL | Purdue
  Grade: A+
• Round 7, Pick 219
  Thomas Fidone, TE | Nebraska
  Grade: A+
• Round 7, Pick 246
  Korie Black, CB | Oklahoma State
  Grade: A+

New York Jets

Overall Draft Grade: A-

The Jets’ first draft class under the oversight of Darren Mougey and Aaron Glenn was a strong one, and it started off lights out. Armand Membou at seventh overall was one of the top value picks in the entire first round, and it completes what could be an elite offensive line in 2025. Mason Taylor was stellar value in Round 2, and can be a target funnel early on. And Azareye’h Thomas is quietly a quality starter who only fell because of his middling speed.

The Jets acquitted themselves masterfully across the first two days, but Day 3 started with a hiccup. The Arian Smith selection, on paper, was terrible. There were many more polished, more consistent, and higher-quality WR prospects on the board at that point, and Smith has very little proven utility outside of his speed.

Nevertheless, the Jets rebounded by adding Malachi Moore, a versatile safety who has legitimate starting potential in Glenn’s defense, and later, they scored another steal with Tyler Baron as EDGE depth in Round 5. It wasn’t perfect, but it was more than good enough for a front office trying to settle in, and a fan base trying to find hope again.

Grades for Every Jets Draft Pick

• Round 1, Pick 7
  Armand Membou, OT | Missouri
  Grade: A+

Staying put at seventh overall, the New York Jets snagged my fourth overall player in the class with Missouri’s Armand Membou, not only solidifying a position of need but also infusing their line with near blue-chip talent.

At 6’4” and 330 pounds, with near-34” arms, Membou is an absolute powerhouse of a blocker, with an elite blend of size, explosiveness, corrective athleticism, and driving power. But on top of that, he’s an incredibly measured and balanced pass protector, with smooth footwork, forceful hands, and keen eyes. And in the run game, his assignment-sound nature magnifies his overwhelming presence.

The Jets have invested in Justin Fields, and Membou will help them get the most out of that investment. Membou will feasibly file in at right tackle opposite Olu Fashanu in his first year, but he can also play guard in a pinch if needed.

• Round 2, Pick 42
  Mason Taylor, TE | LSU
  Grade: A

The Jets’ offense has received a notable facelift early in the 2025 NFL Draft. In Round 1, they solidified their line with Armand Membou. And now, Tanner Engstrand – a Detroit Lions offensive disciple – has added his versatile weapon at TE in LSU’s Mason Taylor.

Taylor – the son of Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor – has similar athletic gifts. At a strong and lean 6’5”, 250 pounds, Taylor has unique flexibility, energy, and efficiency in his motion.

He has the quick feet and bend to function as a route runner at multiple levels, has soft, quiet hands at the catch, and is a viable RAC threat with want-to as a blocker. Taylor’s smooth style and alignment versatility should make him an early favorite of Justin Fields.

• Round 3, Pick 73
  Azareye’h Thomas, CB | Florida State
  Grade: B+

While cornerback is not necessarily the biggest need on the Jets’ roster, Azareye’h Thomas represents solid value at this point. The Florida State corner is one of the better press-man prospects in this class, using his 32” arms effectively to disrupt receivers off the line of scrimmage.

The Jets replaced D.J. Reed with Brandon Stephens in free agency, which profiles as a downgrade on paper. Thomas gives them insurance in the event Stephens struggles again in 2025, serving as a potential long-term partner for Sauce Gardner.

• Round 4, Pick 110
  Arian Smith, WR | Georgia
  Grade: C+

The Jets added arguably the fastest player in the draft in Arian Smith. The Georgia wideout ran a 10.10 100-meter dash for Georgia’s track team, and his sprinter speed absolutely translates to the football field. Smith was one of the very few humans on the planet who could be disappointed by a 4.36 40-yard dash time at the Combine.

Of course, he doesn’t have much going for him besides raw speed. Smith did catch 48 passes as a fifth-year player for Georgia this past season, but was otherwise limited to 20 catches in his first four seasons.

He also comes with significant questions about his hands (10 drops in 2024) and durability. As a result, it’s not obvious Smith will translate to a real wide receiver role, though his speed should make him a special teams demon.

• Round 4, Pick 130
  Malachi Moore, S, Alabama
  Grade: A-

The 2025 NFL Draft safety class is quietly strong, and the Jets made the right call to get involved on Day 3 with the selection of Malachi Moore. Moore played nickel primarily in 2023, and there, his man coverage limitations were exposed. But in 2024, he had a more diverse role, playing two-high and single-high safety, as well as off-man nickel. In that roaming role, he thrived.

Moore isn’t an elite athlete, but he’s an intelligent and high-character player with good coverage mobility, vision, and physicality both at the catch point and in support. Right away, he’s high-quality depth, and he could be a future starter at safety alongside Andre Cisco.

• Round 5, Pick 162
  Francisco Mauigoa, LB | Miami (FL)
  Grade: D
• Round 5, Pick 176
  Tyler Baron, EDGE | Miami (FL)
  Grade: B-

Philadelphia Eagles

Overall Draft Grade: A

In what is becoming a routine yearly exercise, Howie Roseman and the Philadelphia Eagles pulled off a masterclass of value acquisition. It started in Round 1, when the Eagles managed to get Jihaad Campbell at 31st overall. It continued in Round 2, when the Eagles scored dynamic safety Andrew Mukuba at 64th overall.

The rest of the Eagles’ haul was peppered with stellar value additions. Ty Robinson can be an immediate starter at 3-tech with his explosion and motor. Smael Mondon Jr. is a high-level sub-package linebacker with elite coverage ability. Cameron Williams is the ideal developmental right tackle, and Antwaun Powell-Ryland is a superb late-round pick as a pass-rush specialist.

The Eagles are the defending Super Bowl champions, and this class implies they’ll be in contention for the crown yet again. The defense is reloading, and the offense remains a scary unit, now with improved depth.

Grades for Every Eagles Draft Pick

• Round 1, Pick 31
  Jihaad Campbell, LB | Alabama
  Grade: A

It was almost certain that Howie Roseman would pull off another one of his masterclass Round 1 navigations. It’s unclear if he truly needed to give up the 164th pick to move up one spot, but it’s a small price to pay for the transcendent upside that Jihaad Campbell has at linebacker. Edge, safety, and cornerback are still needs, but Campbell’s value simply couldn’t be passed up.

Campbell won’t be available immediately due to a torn labrum, for which he underwent surgery after the NFL Combine. But the Eagles have the time and the infrastructure to be patient with his return, and once he’s fully available, he and Zack Baun will comprise perhaps the deadliest LB duo in the league.

At 6’3”, 235 pounds, Campbell has truly unmatched potential. He’s a former EDGE recruit with elite burst and bend in the pass-rushing phase. He’s a high-level coverage defender with the range and hip-leverage IQ to drop in zone and the quickness and fluidity to man up TEs and big-slot WRs.

And if he can improve his play strength and take-on technique in run defense, it’ll be all he needs to reach his astronomical ceiling. He’s an X-factor in every sense of the word.

• Round 2, Pick 64
  Andrew Mukuba, S | Texas
  Grade: A+

Howie Roseman stays winning. In Round 1, he pulled off a complete coup in value with Jihaad Campbell. At the end of Round 2, he did the same with Texas’ Andrew Mukuba. With a need at safety, Mukuba slots in nicely, and he has the fast-flowing playmaking ability to be a menace in both phases.

The only major flag for Mukuba is his weight. At 5’11”, 186 pounds, he’s lighter than preferred in contact situations. That said, it didn’t affect his play in 2024.

In support, he brings relentless energy and physicality, and in coverage, he’s one of the most dynamic, fluid, and malleable athletes when managing space and closing on routes. Mukuba’s combination of energized athleticism, flexibility, and tenacious zeal should render him an impact player in short order.

• Round 4, Pick 111
  Ty Robinson, DT, Nebraska
  Grade: A-

It should surprise no one that the Eagles are attacking the interior of their defensive line again. They were dominant in the trenches last season, on both sides of the ball, leading the way for their Super Bowl run. After losing Milton Williams in free agency, Howie Roseman knew he needed to bolster the depth on the defensive front.

Robinson is a player who has shown tremendous strides as an interior pass rusher, offering upside to become an impact every-down starter down the line. For now, he has the toughness, size, and power to fill the void left by Williams and be a rotational piece alongside Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis in Year 1.

• Round 5, Pick 145
  Mac McWilliams, CB | UCF
  Grade: C
• Round 5, Pick 161
  Smael Mondon Jr., LB | Georgia
  Grade: A+
• Round 5, Pick 168
  Drew Kendall, C | Boston College
  Grade: B-
• Round 6, Pick 181
  Kyle McCord, QB | Syracuse
  Grade: B
• Round 6, Pick 191
  Myles Hinton, OT | Michigan
  Grade: B
  
• Round 6, Pick 207
  Cameron Williams, OT | Texas
  Grade: A
• Round 6, Pick 209
  Antwaun Powell-Ryland, EDGE | Virginia Tech
  Grade: B+

Pittsburgh Steelers

Overall Draft Grade: B+

Time will tell if passing on Shedeur Sanders will come back to bite the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the front office put together an impressive draft class nonetheless. Selecting Derrick Harmon at No. 21 overall came as a surprise to many, but we’re not going to act like it was a reach.

Harmon was one of the best players on the board, and he filled a massive need for Pittsburgh. He’s a violent pass rusher who has displayed flashes of being a disruptive run defender. With limited depth and talent on the interior of their defensive line, the former Oregon standout should be an immediate impact contributor.

After moving on from Najee Harris this offseason, Pittsburgh drafted a potential replacement in Kaleb Johnson. Jaylen Warren is in line for increased responsibility, but he hasn’t shown that he can handle a workhorse workload. Johnson lacks breakaway speed, and he doesn’t offer much as a receiving threat, but he has excellent vision and was highly productive at Iowa.

Jack Sawyer is a quintessential Steelers pick, given his high motor and the physicality he brings to the game. He comes with high-level playing experience and will get to work behind the dynamic pass-rushing duo of T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.

Pittsburgh also drafted Sawyer’s Ohio State teammate, quarterback Will Howard. The front office appears content with waiting for Aaron Rodgers, and this is not a bad pick if Rodgers ends up being the starter. Howard has physical upside, but he’s better suited as a backup early in his career.

Grades for Every Steelers Draft Pick

• Round 1, Pick 21
  Derrick Harmon, DT | Oregon
  Grade: A

This was one of the bigger surprises of the first round, as many mock drafts had the Steelers addressing their quarterback situation with the 21st overall pick. Instead, they played the true value of the board and added one of the best players available at another position of need.

The Harmon pick is especially intriguing, considering that Harmon has earned comparisons to the Steelers’ own veteran Cameron Heyward. Like Heyward, Harmon has the ideal size and power profile, but is a ruthlessly violent pass-rusher with high-end flashes as a run defender from 3-tech and even further inside.

Harmon is a bit high-hipped and stiff in the midsection, which can impact his counter work. And his medicals at least bear noting, as he was flagged with a shoulder issue ahead of the draft. But the Steelers did well not to reach at QB and solidified their defensive line with a solid all-around pro alongside Keeanu Benton. QB remains an issue, but the Steelers have fallen into the trap of forcing it before. They didn’t this time.

• Round 3, Pick 83
  Kaleb Johnson, RB | Iowa
  Grade: A

A clean projection for zone-rushing systems, Kaleb Johnson should fit beautifully in Arthur Smith’s wide-zone offense. Even after Jaylen Warren signed his restricted free agent tender, the Steelers badly needed another running back with Najee Harris departing.

Johnson won’t be the bellcow right away, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see him usurp Warren atop the depth chart by the end of his rookie season. The Iowa back compensates for a lack of breakaway speed with excellent vision and creative instincts.

The only downside is that he doesn’t bring much receiving value, which should enable Warren to continue seeing steady passing-down snaps.

• Round 4, Pick 123
  Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State
  Grade: B

This just feels like a Pittsburgh Steelers pick. Jack Sawyer is a well-built defender with a strong frame. He’s not going to wow you with his athleticism, and he lacks the length and bend that you typically prefer from an edge rusher, but he’s built Ford-tough. He brings plenty of experience against high-level competition, so it’s not hard to envision him thriving under Mike Tomlin.

This is somewhat of a luxury pick for the Steelers, as they have a strong duo of T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith on the edge. That’s what makes this an ideal situation for Sawyer, who can learn behind two of the best in the game. Sawyer’s physicality, instincts, and high motor skills will be valuable assets for a team that wants to beat up its opponents.

• Round 5, Pick 164
  Yahya Black, DT | Iowa
  Grade: B-
• Round 6, Pick 185
  Will Howard, QB | Ohio State
  Grade: A
• Round 7, Pick 226
  Carson Bruener, LB | Washington
  Grade: B
• Round 7, Pick 229
  Donte Kent, CB | Central Michigan
  Grade: B+

San Francisco 49ers

Overall Draft Grade: D+

The 49ers haven’t re-signed Brock Purdy yet, but their actions during the draft suggest that they are very comfortable with him controlling their future. San Francisco didn’t address the offensive side of the ball until the late stages of Round 4 (WR Jordan Watkins out of Ole Miss), a bit of a surprise given the injury history Christian McCaffrey and seeing Jordan Mason/Deebo Samuel move on this offseason.

We don’t hate this decision, but their selections indicate a willingness to be patient and that was … interesting. First round pick Mykel Williams (EDGE) has plenty of strong traits, but the production at the collegiate level was never elite and there’s a learning curve that needs to be baked in.

Alfred Collins was their next pick, a defensive tackle with limited versatility, and Nick Martin plucked off the board in the third round, an undersized linebacker who was reported to have a Day 3, not Round 3, grade in most draftrooms.

This is still a very talented roster and if Purdy is truly a top-10 quarterback, some of these roster flaws can be overlooked. That said, this team is walking a fine line due to how they addressed this draft and that brings about plenty of short-term risk.

Grades for Every 49ers Draft Pick

• Round 1, Pick 11
  Mykel Williams, EDGE | Georgia
  Grade: B

There’s an argument to make that the 49ers would’ve been better served to reinforce their offensive line in Round 1, but Banks’ selection at ninth overall reduced their options. Ultimately, the 49ers’ needs were just as great on the other side of the trenches, and Mykel Williams was their selection.

Williams – in a similar mold to Shemar Stewart – was a polarizing prospect throughout the 2025 NFL Draft cycle. He never achieved elite levels of production at the collegiate level, but at 6’5” and 260 pounds, with almost 35” arms, he’s a moldable ball of clay with his size, explosiveness, hip fluidity, and overwhelming power component.

There’s a heavy developmental aspect with Williams in San Francisco, and he’ll need to grow as an independent pass-rusher, but it’s comforting that there are some high-floor elements of Williams’ game. He’s an elite run defender with gap instincts and edge-setting and stack-and-shed ability, and as a pass-rusher, he can be utilized on stunts as a battering ram. The upside is high opposite Nick Bosa if he can reach his ceiling.

• Round 2, Pick 43
  Alfred Collins, DT |  Texas
  Grade: B

The 49ers’ interior defensive line desperately needed reinforcements heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, and they were quick to address it on Day 2. Alfred Collins is a monstrous specimen at 6’6”, 330 pounds, with over 34” arms, and at the very least, he can be an elite space-eater and stack-and-shed operator in the run game.

The concerns with Collins come from his lack of pass-rush utility. His overall motion can be plodding and uncoordinated, and he doesn’t have the downhill disruptive ability as a one-gapper that Robert Saleh normally likes from his DTs.

Collins will be best as an ancillary piece that disruptors can orbit around, but he improves the run defense on Day 1 and has some modest pass-rush upside.

• Round 3, Pick 75
  Nick Martin, LB | Oklahoma State
  Grade: C-

Linebacker was one of the 49ers’ many defensive needs after losing Dre Greenlaw in free agency. However, in picking Nick Martin, San Francisco reached for an undersized player many viewed as more of a Day 3 prospect.

Martin had a terrific 2023 season in Stillwater, Okla., leading the Big 12 with 140 tackles for the Cowboys. However, he played only five games in 2024 due to a knee injury, and comes with significant size concerns at 5’11” and 221 pounds.

To his credit, Martin compensates for his size with speed, as he ran a 4.53-second 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine. San Francisco does value speed from its linebacker, but John Lynch is pushing it with the safety-sized Martin.

• Round 3, Pick 100
  Upton Stout, CB | Western Kentucky
  Grade: C-

The 49ers aren’t shy about following their board in the Day 2 range. Every year, John Lynch has eyebrow-raising picks in this area of the board, and this cycle is no different.

Upton Stout is a good player and could settle in nicely as a nickel defender alongside Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green, but this is still a major reach with other options available.

To Stout’s credit, he’s an uber-competitive player at 5’8”, 181 pounds, who packs a punch at his size and has the high-caliber athleticism to match up with NFL talents.

Other Nickel defenders – such as Jordan Hancock – offered a better mix of NFL size, athleticism, and role versatility, and that’s why betting on Stout as a size outlier at this point is a bit trepidatious.

• Round 4, Pick 113
  C.J. West, DT, Indiana
  Grade: A

The 49ers’ run on defense continues, with C.J. West being their fifth straight defender picked this year. West adds some sorely needed help at defensive tackle, pairing with second-round run-stuffer Alfred Collins.

West comes with a similar early-down skill set, making it obvious that San Francisco wants to address a run defense that ranked 25th in rushing success rate in 2024. The 6’1”, 316-pound West is a squatty tackle who plays with great natural leverage, and his 1.73 10-yard split time at the Combine showed off his surprising burst.

• Round 4, Pick 138
  Jordan Watkins, WR, Ole Miss
  Grade: D

The 49ers’ wide receiver room took a bit of a hit this offseason after they traded away Deebo Samuel. The group is still in a good spot with Brandon Aiyuk, Ricky Pearsall, and Jauan Jennings, but Day 3 is a good time to take a swing for high-upside playmakers. Jordan Watkins doesn’t exactly scream upside.

Watkins has good play strength and could develop into a decent possession slot receiver in the NFL. He also has some value in the return game. However, he’s inconsistent as a route runner and lacks the ideal burst and speed you want from a slot guy. There were higher-rated receivers on the board here.

• Round 5, Pick 147
  Jordan James, RB | Oregon
  Grade: B+
• Round 5, Pick 160
  Marques Sigle, S | Kansas State
  Grade: C
• Round 7, Pick 227
  Kurtis Rourke, QB | Indiana
  Grade: B
• Round 7, Pick 249
  Connor Colby, OG | Iowa
  Grade: A-
• Round 7, Pick 252
  Junior Bergen, WR | Montana
  Grade: C+

Seattle Seahawks

Overall Draft Grade: B+

Seattle grabbing Grey Zabel with the 18th pick on Thursday night was one of my favorites and made them a clear Round 1 Winner. The pressure ghosts were back bothering Sam Darnold as his tenure in Minnesota came to an end. While we don’t yet know if Zabel can impact the professional game at a high level, the idea that this franchise is honest in their self-evaluation is a step in a very positive direction.

Either Darnold is the answer under center, or he’s not – Seattle is prepared for both. In addition to Zabel, the ‘Hawks took a big-play threat at tight end (Elijah Arroyo) in the second round, a project quarterback (Jalen Milroe) in the third) and bought low on a 6’3” play-making receiver (Troy Horton) in the fifth.

Seattle went 7-9 in 2011 – they have had one losing season since. That sort of organizational stability doesn’t happen by accident, and draft execution like that allows for results like that to sustain.

Grades for Every Seahawks Draft Pick

• Round 1, Pick 18
  Grey Zabel, OG | North Dakota State
  Grade: A

There was talk that the Seahawks were eyeing a trade down at 18th overall, but in the end, they stood firm and selected Grey Zabel. Zabel was my 19th overall prospect, and he fills perhaps the Seahawks’ biggest need with Sam Darnold now in tow, reinforcing their interior offensive line.

There’s always a bit of trepidation with FCS prospects making the jump to the NFL, but Zabel projects especially well on the interior. At 6’6”, 315 pounds, he’s quick, explosive, and malleable in recovery, with unnaturally easy flexibility and leverage acquisition. He can channel those athletic traits into impressive closing range and driving power.

Zabel will need to keep upping his play strength at the NFL level, but he has the athleticism, wicked hands, and tenacious road-grader mentality to prove he belongs, and he could feasibly grow into a quality starter at either guard or center.

• Round 2, Pick 35
  Nick Emmanwori, S | South Carolina
  Grade: B-

This is a Mike Macdonald-coded move, as the Seahawks traded up to acquire one of the most talented pure athletes in the 2025 NFL Draft. Nick Emmanwori was ranked outside my top 50, so this is still fairly rich for him, but his best chance of success would come with a creative defensive mind, and that’s exactly what Macdonald is.

It’s worth noting that Emmanwori doesn’t fill an immediate need, either. The Seahawks were set at safety with Coby Bryant and Julian Love, but Emmanwori could fill in nicely as a big-nickel defender with some rotational split-field ability.

He’s an incredibly natural coverage defender for his size and flashes elite closing speed and terse physicality coming downhill. He needs to improve his overall instincts and run-support ability, but the upside is high.

• Round 2, Pick 50
  Elijah Arroyo, TE | Miami (FL)
  Grade: B+

The Seahawks committed to Sam Darnold in free agency and are now committed to equipping him with the weapons he needs to succeed. In Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Seahawks selected Elijah Arroyo out of Miami, inserting a vertical threat into Klint Kubiak’s offense.

Arroyo is a smooth, dynamic long-striding athlete with great seam-busting ability and body control at the catch, but he also has the fluidity and short-area quickness for his size to supplement a more diverse route tree and stem work working vertical. He can still improve his consistency as a blocker, but he’s a great fit for a QB in Darnold who likes to push the envelope and seek out big plays.

• Round 3, Pick 92
  Jalen Milroe, QB | Alabama
  Grade: C

This is the range where teams should’ve started considering adding Jalen Milroe as a developmental QB. I wouldn’t have expected the Seahawks to be the ones, however, given that they went all-in on Sam Darnold this offseason. That third-rounder they spent on Milroe is one they can no longer spend on an extra WR or offensive lineman for Darnold, and that could be costly.

As a pure player, Milroe is good value at this point. He’s an elite athlete and running threat with a rocket arm, and he could develop into a starter with more mechanical development. However, his vision runs very hot-and-cold, and he’ll sometimes force bad throws as a result. The long-term gain for Seattle is unclear here, but he does infuse the QB room with some security.

• Round 5, Pick 142
  Rylie Mills, DT | Notre Dame
  Grade: B
• Round 5, Pick 166
  Tory Horton, WR | Colorado State
  Grade: B+
• Round 5, Pick 175
  Robbie Ouzts, TE | Alabama
  Grade: C
• Round 6, Pick 192
  Bryce Cabeldue, G | Kansas
  Grade: A
• Round 7, Pick 223
  Damien Martinez, RB | Miami (FL)
  Grade: A+
• Round 7, Pick 234
  Mason Richman, OT | Iowa
  Grade: C+
• Round 7, Pick 238
  Ricky White, WR | UNLV
  Grade: A

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Overall Draft Grade: B+

The grading of what Tampa Bay did relies on the process you take. In terms of raw talent, they drafted as much of it as anyone, but in terms of need, things got off to an odd start.
Emeka Egbuka is a natural pass catcher who should be able to impact the professional game, but will the 19th overall pick be given the opportunity to prove himself?

Unless Chris Godwin’s rehab is behind what reports suggest, the former Buckeye is going to have a hard time cracking a starting lineup that also includes Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan, a 2024 third rounder who scored eight times last season.

After that selection, Tampa Bay drafted at an elite level and followed the plan we assumed would be there.

Defense.

A season ago, they ranked 16th in Defense+, and it was only that high because they feasted on some poor competition in the second half of the season. The pass rush ranked 24th in sack rate when not blitzing, while 35-year-old Lavonte Davis is entering the last year of his contract and doesn’t have a feasible in-house successor at linebacker.

It’s rare to see multiple rookies make an immediate impact on a single defense, but the casting of a wide net was sharp. Benjamin Morrison is the name most likely to emerge from this Buccaneers draft class, as he was trending toward a first-round grade before an ACL tear. He is an NFL-ready player who should benefit from the solid infrastructure that this franchise has.

David Walker is an EDGE out of Central Arkansas that the Bucs used their fourth-round pick on. He’s capable of playing in waves right now and adding a new dimension to this defense.

Grades for Every Buccaneers Draft Pick

• Round 1, Pick 19
  Emeka Egbuka, WR | Ohio State
  Grade: A

Almost every mock in April had the Buccaneers investing in their defensive line, but they subverted all the prevailing expectations by selecting Emeka Egbuka at 19th overall. While the need for additional pass-rush help and cornerback talent remains on defense, Egbuka makes a dangerous offense even more so.

The only question regarding the Egbuka selection is how much Tampa Bay truly needed him. They brought back Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, and Jalen McMillan showed promise as a WR3 down the stretch in 2024. But there’s no disputing the value Egbuka can bring as a high-level movement-Z WR.

At 6’1”, 205 pounds, Egbuka can carve through zone-coverage looks with his fluidity, explosiveness, and spatial IQ. He can operate out of the slot with his physical RAC ability and soft hands, and his ability to work multiple levels can help him weave between Evans and Godwin and function as a safety blanket. Tampa Bay’s entire operation runs through a high-powered passing offense, and now Baker Mayfield has the best WR trio in the league.

• Round 2, Pick 53
  Benjamin Morrison, CB | Notre Dame
  Grade: A-

Jamel Dean’s availability and consistency have been issues recently, and Zyon McCollum is still growing into his premier role in Tampa Bay’s CB room. Both factors likely led the Buccaneers to select Benjamin Morrison with the 53rd overall pick, and Morrison was one of the best scheme fits still on the board.

Morrison’s hip injury will be carefully considered as he works back to 100%, but if he’s fully healthy, Morrison is a borderline first-round talent with gnat-like mobility and claustrophobia in close coverage.

He’s not shy about getting in his receiver’s grill, and with his elite short-area twitch and reactive athleticism, he can match, plant-and-drive, and generate pivotal incompletions.

• Round 3, Pick 84
  Jacob Parrish, CB | Kansas State
  Grade: B-

In a somewhat surprising move, the Buccaneers doubled down on CB prospects on Day 2, stacking Jacob Parrish with Benjamin Morrison. Now the Buccaneers have an abundance of DBs, with Jamel Dean, Zyon McCollum, Morrison, Parrish, and nickel back Tykee Smith all populating the space.

Parrish is undersized but fast, twitched-up, and feisty, and he has slot-boundary versatility. The questions don’t come so much with his profile as they do with the opportunity cost.

The Buccaneers have yet to address the interior defensive line or EDGE in this class, and that lack of early-round investment could come back to hurt them.

• Round 4, Pick 121
  David Walker, EDGE | Central Arkansas
  Grade: A+

This is home-run value for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who still needed to infuse their EDGE rotation with more pass-rush ability. At 6’1”, 263 pounds, Walker is a sawed-off havoc-wreaker from wide alignments, who amassed 31 career sacks and 63 tackles for loss in three seasons at Central Arkansas.

Walker is explosive, urgent off the snap, and packs an enormous amount of speed-to-power energy inside his frame when on the attack. He’s a great fit for Todd Bowles’ scheme, and he instantly improves their pass-rush outlook.

• Round 5, Pick 157
  Elijah Roberts, EDGE | SMU
  Grade: C-
  
• Round 7, Pick 235
  Tez Johnson, WR | Oregon
  Grade: A+

Tennessee Titans

Overall Draft Grade: A-

Getting the only highly-regarded quarterback in the draft almost automatically earned the Tennessee Titans a high grade. Cam Ward has the potential to transform a franchise that has lost its way since firing Mike Vrabel and Jon Robinson, serving as a do-over for Brian Callahan in his second season. Ward is almost certain to improve Tennessee’s quarterback play from 2024, which featured the 26th-ranked quarterback (Mason Rudolph) and 34th-ranked QB (Will Levis) in PFSN’s QB+ metric.

It’s not just about Ward, though, as the Titans got strong value with their pass catchers to assist Ward’s development. Stanford wide receiver Elic Ayomanor will be viewed as one of the steals of Day 3, going late in the fourth round after being largely mocked as a Day 2 player. The Titans also added Chimere Dike and Gunnar Helm with their first two picks in the fourth round. That trio is vital to rounding out a pass-catching group that was dangerously thin behind Calvin Ridley.

The defense could still struggle in the short term, though Tennessee invested in the unit in Day 2 via edge rusher Femi Oladejo and safety Kevin Winston Jr. Both should help around the line of scrimmage, with Winston serving as a box safety who enables the Titans to play some three-safety sets with Amani Hooker and Xavier Woods. However, only one of their six picks on Day 3 went to defense (Cal cornerback Marcus Harris in the sixth round).

Ultimately, the Titans are still probably a year away from contention, even in the weak AFC South. However, between their Day 3 picks and free agency investment in the offensive line, Tennessee has smartly built a workable environment to facilitate Ward’s development. That’s all that really matters in the short term, and a strong rookie season from Ward will allow the Titans to swing for the fences with splashier moves next offseason.

Grades for Every Titans Draft Pick

• Round 1, Pick 1
  Cam Ward, QB | Miami (FL)
  Grade: A

The Titans needed a quarterback. They got the best one in the 2025 NFL Draft with Miami’s Cam Ward. Heading into Year 2, Brian Callahan needed to get “his guy”, and Ward is a worthwhile investment with his high-end creative tools and gunslinger skill set.

There’s still room for Ward to keep growing, but his rare mix of pocket mobility, change-of-direction, arm elasticity, layering ability, and fearlessness gives him unique roster elevation upside that no other 2025 QB can match.

With their prospective franchise QB now in tow, the Titans should turn their focus to attacking lingering deficiencies on defense and bolstering Ward’s weapons core. With the right support, Ward can hit the ground running as a starter and potentially grow into a top-12 QB.

• Round 2, Pick 52
  Oluwafemi Oladejo, EDGE | UCLA
  Grade: B

It was widely expected that the Titans would target either WR talent or EDGE talent on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft. They ultimately chose to address the EDGE position, taking UCLA’s Oluwafemi Oladejo with the 52nd overall pick.

The Titans’ EDGE room is very sparse, and because Oladejo is just one year into his full-time EDGE career, he may be a bit too raw to be relied upon as a consistent producer in Year 1.

That said, if the Titans have the patience, Oladejo has the natural leverage, proportional length, speed-to-power profile, burst, bend, and motor to become a quality starter in time, with impact upside.

• Round 3, Pick 82
  Kevin Winston Jr., S | Penn State
  Grade: A

The Titans are still early in a prospective rebuild, so drafting for long-term potential in Day 2 is an acceptable strategy. They followed that philosophy at the safety position by taking Kevin Winston Jr. with the 82nd overall pick.

Winston only played in three games in 2024 before missing the rest of the campaign with an injury, but at 6’2”, 215 pounds, he’s already one of the best run support safeties in the class. He tackles like an apex predator coming downhill and closes ground with voracity, and he flashes inspiring coverage mobility and field vision at his size.

Down the road, Winston could replace Xavier Woods alongside Amani Hooker and give the Titans a true two-phase enforcer on the back end.

• Round 4, Pick 103
  Chimere Dike, WR | Florida
  Grade: B-

As many expected, the Titans went with a wide receiver to kick off the fourth round, but the player selection was a bit surprising. The Titans passed on Jalen Royals and Tory Horton, among others, to select Chimere Dike. It wouldn’t have been my pick, but that doesn’t mean Dike doesn’t have merit as a player.

At 6’1”, 196 pounds, with over 32” arms, 4.34 speed, and elite explosiveness and agility, Dike has an extremely appealing athletic profile and slot and boundary versatility. His hands aren’t very consistent through contact, and he’ll need to keep expanding his route tree, but he has the building blocks to become a quality rotational WR and potential WR3.

• Round 4, Pick 120
  Gunnar Helm, TE, Texas
  Grade: B+

The Titans have prioritized the offensive side of the ball to begin Day 3, and it makes a ton of sense. You don’t take Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick and not do everything you can to put weapons around him. Dike added some depth to the WR room, and Gunnar Helm brings some pass-catching juice to the tight end group that also features Chig Okonkwo.

While not super explosive, Helm is a chain-mover who excels in contested catch situations. He’s also a capable blocker and plays with a certain toughness about him. With Okonkwo in the mix, the Titans likely won’t ask too much from right away, but he has the intangibles and reliability to earn snaps as a rookie.

• Round 4, Pick 136
  Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
  Grade: A+

This is tremendous value for the Tennessee Titans, getting a top-100 weapon for franchise quarterback Cam Ward. At 6’2”, 206 pounds, Elic Ayomanor has a lot of the desired tools: Size, mass, near-4.4 speed, open-field explosiveness, and the suddenness to underpin RAC and separation upside.

Ayomanor isn’t the most consistent operator as a route runner, and he also doesn’t always play with the physicality and strength you’d expect at his size. But he’s a dynamic player in the short and intermediate ranges, with the body control and coordination to pull off acrobatic catches down the field.

Next to Calvin Ridley and Tyler Lockett, Ayomanor enters a good situation as a potential power-slot WR.

• Round 5, Pick 167
  Jackson Slater, G | Sacramento State
  Grade: B+
• Round 6, Pick 183
  Marcus Harris, CB | California
  Grade: B
• Round 6, Pick 188
  Kalel Mullings, RB | Michigan
  Grade: C

Washington Commanders

Overall Draft Grade: A-

The Commanders didn’t have an abundance of capital in the 2025 NFL Draft, but they used the capital they had fairly well. Bolstering the offensive line will always be a fruitful move, and Josh Conerly Jr. gives the Commanders both high physical upside and flexibility with the other personnel. Trey Amos was one of the best value additions on Day 2, as he grants Washington early starting ability and schematic versatility.

On Day 3, the Commanders only had three selections, but they still managed to add a dynamic playmaker in Jaylin Lane, an athletic coverage linebacker in Kain Medrano, and a potential gem at RB in Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The Commanders can expect immediate returns from their early-round picks, and the late-rounders have potential, too.

It’ll be up to Washington to shuffle their line the right way, but a starting lineup of Tunsil-Coleman-Biadasz-Cosmi-Conerly can dominate the line of scrimmage, and help Jayden Daniels and the offense take yet another leap in 2025.

Grades for Every Commanders Draft Pick

• Round 1, Pick 29
  Josh Conerly Jr., OT | Oregon
  Grade: B

The Washington Commanders were a team many penciled in as an EDGE suitor, and they had several compelling options still on the board. However, instead of addressing the defense, the Commanders chose to solidify the other side of the trenches with Josh Conerly Jr.

From a player and value standpoint, there’s nothing wrong with the Conerly pick. He’s a plus athlete with a natural feel for the technical elements of tackle play. He has smooth footwork, a light base, and active hands while matching. He also has an exceptional range as a blocker in space.

As long as he continues to build his play strength, Conerly should be able to fill in as a starter at right tackle. However, it’s fair to question whether Washington truly needed this with Brandon Coleman, a similarly talented OT who sometimes flashed promise in his rookie campaign.

The selection of Conerly suffocates Coleman’s development, but it also amplifies the strengthening of the team’s offensive line with Laremy Tunsil Jr. – and insulates Jayden Daniels’ protection.

• Round 2, Pick 61
  Trey Amos, CB | Ole Miss
  Grade: A

The Commanders enter 2025 in a bit of a transition state on defense. Washington has invested most of its resources this offseason on offense, leaving the organization needing some long-term building blocks on the other side of the ball. Ole Miss cornerback Trey Amos should represent one of those foundational pieces if he hits on his potential, making for an intriguing perimeter duo with Marshon Lattimore.

Amos may not be the cleanest tackler, but he profiles as a prototypical boundary corner physically (6’1”, 195 pounds) and comes with a proven track record of excellent coverage against SEC competition.

His ability to play man coverage should fit in with the Commanders, but his movement and processing skills allow him to excel in zone as well. Amos’ arrival could allow Mike Sainristil to move back into the slot, where he mostly played at Michigan.

• Round 4, Pick 128
  Jaylin Lane, WR, Virginia Tech
  Grade: B+

The Commanders continue to invest in building a long-term infrastructure around Jayden Daniels. That could leave the defense shorthanded for 2025, but with Luke McCaffrey the only wideout under contract past this season, adding another receiver was always a likely step in this draft.

Jaylin Lane is undersized at 5’9” and 191 pounds, but brings 4.34 speed and averaged 12.5 yards per reception during his five-year collegiate career. Lane isn’t just a burner, though, as he showed sharp coverage recognition and route-running on option routes. That gives him developmental upside, and his punt return experience adds special teams value as well.

• Round 6, Pick 205
  Kain Medrano, LB | UCLA
  Grade: A
• Round 7, Pick 245
  Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB | Arizona
  Grade: A