Who Nailed It, Who Blew It? 2025 First-Round NFL Draft Grades and Takeaways

The NFL Draft is finally here! And with it, every team will now get the chance to build for the future and solidify themselves for a potential Super Bowl run. In our 2025 NFL Draft grades, PFSN’s analysts break down all 257 picks, providing a grade for each selection made by your favorite team.

Looking for grades that cover every round? Head over to our Final 2025 NFL Draft Grades for insights and analysis on every player selection. 

Arizona Cardinals

• 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.

Atlanta Falcons

• 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.

Baltimore Ravens

• 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.

Buffalo Bills

• 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.

Carolina Panthers

• 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.

Chicago Bears

• 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.

Cincinnati Bengals

• 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.

Cleveland Browns

• 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.

Dallas Cowboys

• 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.

Denver Broncos

• 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.”

Detroit Lions

• 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.

Green Bay Packers

• 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.

Indianapolis Colts

• 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.

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Round 1, Pick 2
  Travis Hunter, CB/WB | 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.

Kansas City Chiefs

• 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.

Las Vegas Raiders

• 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.

Los Angeles Chargers

• 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.

Miami Dolphins

• 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.

Minnesota Vikings

• 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.

New England Patriots

• 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.

New Orleans Saints

• 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.

New York Giants

• 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.

New York Jets

• 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.

Philadelphia Eagles

• 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.

Pittsburgh Steelers

• 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.

San Francisco 49ers

• 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.

Seattle Seahawks

• 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.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• 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.

Tennessee Titans

• 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.

Washington Commanders

• 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.