We’re on to the second and third rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. These are the rounds where teams find hidden gems, but also the rounds where teams can undo all the good they did in the first round.
In our 2025 NFL Draft grades, PFSN’s Analysts Ian Cummings and Sterling Xie 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 2, Pick 47
Will Johnson, CB | Ohio State
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.
Atlanta Falcons
- 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.
Baltimore Ravens
- 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.
Buffalo Bills
- 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.
Carolina Panthers
- 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.
Chicago Bears
- 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.
Cincinnati Bengals
- 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.
Cleveland Browns
- 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.
Dallas Cowboys
- Round 2, Pick 34
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.
Denver Broncos
- 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.
Detroit Lions
- 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.
Green Bay Packers
- 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.
Houston Texans
- 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.
Indianapolis Colts
- 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.
Jacksonville Jaguars
- 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.
Kansas City Chiefs
- 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.
Las Vegas Raiders
- 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.
Los Angeles Chargers
- 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.
Los Angeles Rams
- 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.
Miami Dolphins
- 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.
Minnesota Vikings
- 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.
New England Patriots
- 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.
New Orleans Saints
- 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.
New York Giants
- 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.
New York Jets
- 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.
Philadelphia Eagles
- 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.
Pittsburgh Steelers
- 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.
San Francisco 49ers
- 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.
Seattle Seahawks
- 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.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- 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.
Tennessee Titans
- 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.
Washington Commanders
- 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.