A shocking early trade put me on my heels early on Thursday night, and then we waited for more. And waited. And waited. And then my top-ranked quarterback just kept falling — all the way to Day 3. What a strange and exciting 2025 NFL draft it was.
Now that we’re through all 257 picks, it’s time for my favorite exercise every year: grading how all 32 teams fared with their selections, from Round 1 through Round 7. Which teams actually got value? Which ones check off roster needs across the three days? And which ones clearly improved as we look ahead to the 2025 season and beyond? I’m looking for the good, the bad, the steals, the reaches and the downright head-scratching moments.
I graded the 32 draft classes using my own Big Board rankings and positional grades to see how efficient each franchise was in maneuvering the board. Trades — both up and down the draft order — were also factored in; that’s all part of the overall value. I recapped Round 1 on Thursday night and Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday evening, but I’ll go a little deeper here and touch on every team.
Here are the team-by-team grades. We’ll start with the best report cards and go to the worst. Teams that have identical letter grades are listed in alphabetical order. For more on how these rookie classes stack up, check out the “SportsCenter Special” on Monday (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2) and listen to the final episode of the “First Draft” podcast on Monday afternoon.
NFL draft coverage:
Kiper’s Day 1 winners | Kiper’s Day 2 winners
Pick-by-pick takes | Overreactions | Every pick
Jump to:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
Cleveland Browns: A+
Top needs entering the draft: Quarterback, wide receiver, edge rusher and running back
The Browns made a splash return to the first round after sitting out Day 1 for three straight years. That, of course, aligns with the Deshaun Watson era. The Browns traded their 2022, 2023 and 2024 first-rounders to Houston in March 2022 to sign Watson to an enormous $230 million fully guaranteed deal and subsequently got 19 touchdown passes out of him over 19 games. Watson is currently injured, too, after retearing his Achilles. So all eyes were on Cleveland at No. 2. Everyone expected Travis Hunter to be the pick.
Instead, we got a shocker. Cleveland traded back to No. 5 in a deal with the Jaguars. Hunter is clearly the best player in the class in my eyes, but defensive tackle Mason Graham was third on my board. He’s strong and moves really well, and he will rush the passer from the interior. Maliek Collins, Shelby Harris and Graham form a good defensive tackle rotation. But the Browns also added a lot of draft capital here, including a 2026 first-rounder. This is a massive part of why they earned my top grade. Jacksonville isn’t exactly a playoff lock, so that could be a high pick next April.
The other main reason I gave the Browns an A+ shouldn’t be a surprise. They got quarterback Shedeur Sanders at No. 144 to finish their seven-pick draft. He was my No. 5 overall prospect in the class and clear QB1. He brings excellent accuracy, completing 74% of his throws last season. He brings toughness in the pocket. I think he will be an outstanding pro QB, and I believe we will look back on this pick in a few years and question what the rest of the NFL was doing.
Cleveland also took Dillon Gabriel, though. I like him as a sleeper, though I was skeptical when the Browns made the pick. Going with 40-year-old Joe Flacco, twice-traded Kenny Pickett and Gabriel isn’t in anyone’s best interest. But pairing Sanders and Gabriel gives the Browns options as they try to sort through the post-Watson era. Gabriel throws with terrific ball placement and makes quick, smart decisions with the football.
Beyond the quarterback dealings, the Browns added some really good players. One of the other picks coming to Cleveland in the Jaguars trade was No. 36, which meant it kicked off Day 2 with a pair of quick selections. Carson Schwesinger was getting legitimate Round 1 buzz, and he will factor into the pass coverage, run defense and even the pass rush. He had 115 tackles, two interceptions and four sacks last season. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is dealing with a neck injury, so Schwesinger was a smart addition after Cleveland also signed Jordan Hicks and re-signed Devin Bush.
Then, Quinshon Judkins — who stays in-state from Ohio State — will power the Browns’ ground game to another level. He has a nose for the end zone with 50 scrimmage TDs since 2022. They got Dylan Sampson in Round 4, too. When he finds daylight, he’s gone. The Browns averaged 94.6 rush yards per game last season (fourth fewest in the NFL), so they had to address this. They got two good running backs. Tight end/H-back Harold Fannin Jr. was the other Cleveland pick — he led the nation with 117 catches last season, and the pairing of Fannin and David Njoku is intriguing.
Seattle Seahawks: A
Top needs entering the draft: Guard, center, defensive tackle and wide receiver
Seattle made one of the biggest roster changes of the offseason, swapping out quarterback Geno Smith for Sam Darnold. But is it actually better because of the decision? I’m not so sure. If Darnold is better than Smith, it’s only by a small amount. Yes, this is a team coming off a 10-7 season, but it has major holes, including at wide receiver, where DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are out and Cooper Kupp and Marquez Valdes-Scantling are in.
The good thing? General manager John Schneider had the capital entering this draft to add quality starters and solid depth. With three picks in the first two rounds — Nos. 18, 50 and 52 — he had a chance to come away with multiple starters.
I’m a big fan of how Schneider approached every day of the draft, but especially the first two. Grey Zabel will be an instant starter at guard. Nick Emmanwori is one of the best athletes in this class, and he should help solidify the defensive backfield. The Seahawks traded up to get him, but he’s a great fit and it was a value on my board. Elijah Arroyo is my third-ranked tight end — they got him at No. 50. Quarterback Jalen Milroe isn’t ready to start, but he has unbelievable traits and could help the running game in 2025. I thought he had a chance to go at the top of Round 2. Seattle did a stellar job addressing holes but also looking to the future.
Damien Martinez is a Day 3 player to watch. Last season, he averaged 4.5 yards after contact per rush, which ranked fourth in the FBS. I wouldn’t be surprised if he found a role as a rookie. I’m a fan of the versatile Rylie Mills, who can play in any defense. He had 7.5 sacks when lined up as a defensive tackle last season and is powerful at the point of attack. Wideout Ricky White III and offensive tackle Mason Richman are good players.
All in all, Schneider had a tremendous weekend, improving his roster in several areas. This class gets high marks.
New England Patriots: A-
Top needs entering the draft: Offensive tackle, wide receiver and defensive tackle
The Patriots were in a good spot at No. 4. If either Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter fell to them, great. If not, they would have their pick of the offensive linemen in this class. That matters because quarterback Drake Maye was pressured on 37.3% of his dropbacks — not ideal for a young passer. Amid personnel changes, the offensive line was 31st in pass block win rate at 50.9%. But Will Campbell instantly improves things here.
Everyone made a big deal about his 32⅝-inch arm length after the combine, and it’s not ideal. But I still see the footwork, technique and pure power of an NFL left tackle. Campbell will immediately replace Vederian Lowe there. The Pats had selected just one offensive lineman in the top 10 in the common draft era (since 1967) before the Campbell pick; John Hannah also went fourth in 1973.
New England continued its revamp on Day 2, sticking with the offense. (It used seven of eight picks on offense last year, and the first four went that way this year.) Running back TreVeyon Henderson and receiver Kyle Williams will improve Maye’s supporting cast. Henderson is in a perfect spot to maximize his skill set. He’s a big-play artist because of his explosion and vision, but he won’t be a 30-carry back every Sunday. Henderson is at his best when he’s sharing the work, and the Pats will do that with Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson still in the fold.
Williams, meanwhile, will be a good deep threat for Maye with his speed. The WR room is definitely better, between Williams and free agent signing Stefon Diggs. The Day 2 capper was Jared Wilson, my top-ranked center. He’s behind Garrett Bradbury on the depth chart, but his quickness and even a little bit of interior versatility mean he should see the field. There are some good Day 3 picks in New England, too. Defensive tackle Joshua Farmer has dealt with some injuries, but he can push the pocket. Bradyn Swinson had 8.5 sacks last season off the edge. And Andres Borregales is the No. 2 kicker in the class.
It has been a good offseason for New England. This draft class is solid. But the Pats also spent in free agency, signing Diggs, Milton Williams, Harold Landry III, Robert Spillane, Carlton Davis III and Morgan Moses. They could take a big step forward in 2025.
New York Giants: A-
Top needs entering the draft: Quarterback, guard, defensive tackle and wide receiver
This was a critical draft for coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen. The Giants lost 14 games last season and have issues all over the roster, including at the most important position. They brought in Russell Wilson to start at quarterback, but I don’t think he’s much of an upgrade on what they had a year ago. Could they find their passer of the future this weekend?
Giants fans should feel a lot better about their favorite team’s future. I liked what the team did Thursday night, getting edge rusher Abdul Carter early and then trading up to take QB Jaxson Dart. Carter is a special talent who finished as my No. 2 overall prospect. He could be an instant star, boosting a pass rush that already is the strength of the roster. And while I graded Shedeur Sanders higher than Dart, it’s clear Daboll and Schoen disagreed.
• See all 257 picks | Pick-by-pick analysis
• Kiper’s grades | Judging overreactions
• Kiper’s Day 1 winners | Day 2 winners
• Sanders to Browns | Hunter to Jaguars
• Round 1 spin | Big questions | Trades
Dart, my No. 28-ranked prospect, has a lot of potential, but I don’t think he will have a Jayden Daniels-like rookie season. In fact, it seems the Giants want him to sit behind Wilson (and Jameis Winston) and let him adjust to the speed of the NFL. If that’s the case, Daboll and Schoen are banking on getting more time to work with him and seeing him star in 2026. For their sake, I hope they’re right. (They also dealt away a 2026 third-rounder in the move to get Dart.)
I liked New York’s moves throughout the rest of the draft, too. It added Darius Alexander, a do-it-all defensive tackle who fits well next to Dexter Lawrence II, in Round 3. I expect him to make an impact as a rookie. Running back Cam Skattebo can punish defenses between the tackles. Marcus Mbow is my favorite guard in the class, and the Giants got him nearly two rounds later than where I had him rated. Watch — he’ll find snaps on offense in 2025.
This is a nice class from top to bottom. I won’t quibble too much with the front office’s preference for Dart over Sanders. Based on the quality of prospects in this group, it’s an A-minus.
Philadelphia Eagles: A-
Top needs entering the draft: Safety, defensive tackle, linebacker and wide receiver
I gave the Eagles an A after last year’s draft, but no way did I think their top two picks — cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean — would help power a much-improved defense to a Super Bowl title. That’s how to target a need and get an instant impact.
This year? Well, general manager Howie Roseman’s No. 1 post-free agency priority is to figure out how to replace 1,067 combined snaps from key defensive linemen Josh Sweat and Milton Williams, both of whom left for massive contracts elsewhere. Roseman signed edge rushers Joshua Uche and Azeez Ojulari to one-year deals, but I thought he could go D-line in Round 1. Donovan Ezeiruaku, maybe? Or Darius Alexander?
Roseman went a slightly different direction, however, adding versatile off-ball linebacker Jihaad Campbell, who I thought could go in the top 20 picks. Campbell can be a chess piece for defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, getting a handful of snaps on the edge per game. This pick tells me there’s some concern about the knee injury Nakobe Dean suffered in January, so Campbell could help fill that void. He’s a really solid player.
I mentioned in my Friday night recap how much I like safety Andrew Mukuba, whom Philly got at the end of Round 2. He can play the role vacated by the trade of C.J. Gardner-Johnson. He hits like a linebacker.
On Day 3, offensive tackle Cameron Williams could be a steal — if Philly can help him put all of his talent together. He started just one college season. I had him No. 125 on my Big Board. Ty Robinson will join Fangio’s deep front-seven rotation and play multiple positions. Linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. can be a special teams demon. Quarterback Kyle McCord is a solid No. 3 QB. Roseman has done it again, selecting solid players throughout the draft.
Baltimore Ravens: B+
Top needs entering the draft: Edge rusher, cornerback, safety, guard and kicker
I’ve referred to this stat many times over the past few months, but the Ravens allowed 58 passing plays of 20 or more yards last season, third most in the NFL. They gave up seven more over two playoff games. Malaki Starks will help there. Next to Kyle Hamilton at safety, he has the closing speed to arrive as the ball does and either break up the pass or immediately wrap up the receiver. Starks also spent a lot of time at slot corner at Georgia, so Baltimore can use that versatility to its advantage.
With 11 picks — tied for the most entering the draft — the Ravens could keep hitting defense. Edge rusher was my top need. You might see their 54 sacks (second most in the NFL) and wonder why, but remember that Odafe Oweh and Kyle Van Noy are both entering the final years of their deals.
Mike Green finished 18th on my Big Board, and he had 17 sacks last season to lead the nation. Speed, power and a wide array of pass-rush moves allow him to consistently get pressure. (Green was accused of sexual assault at Virginia and faced another sexual assault allegation in high school. He was never charged and said at the combine that he did nothing wrong. Baltimore GM Eric DeCosta said the team looked into the allegations “very thoroughly.”)
The Ravens didn’t make any in-draft trades last year, they had made only eight over the prior five drafts, and they traded down twice this year. They let the board come to them and got some good prospects. Emery Jones Jr. should kick inside to guard and compete for work with Daniel Faalele. Robert Longerbeam is a good nickel corner and came at great value; I had him ranked 116th overall, and Baltimore took him late in Round 6. Aeneas Peebles will work into the defensive tackle rotation. And Bilhal Kone has some promising athletic traits. Finally, Tyler Loop was my No. 1 kicker this year. He has a massive leg, hitting a 62-yarder in college.
Chicago Bears: B+
Top needs entering the draft: Edge rusher, running back, defensive tackle and tight end
Credit Bears general manager Ryan Poles for addressing his team’s biggest need — before the draft. The trades for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson weren’t too costly, though Poles gave $28 million guaranteed to free agent center Drew Dalman. Chicago is now clearly better along the offensive line — quarterback Caleb Williams had to run for his life at times in 2024. He was sacked 68 times, which tied for the third most by any QB since sacks were first tracked in 1963, per ESPN Research.
Those moves meant the Bears had options at No. 10 overall and didn’t need to force more offense. But Poles was leaving no doubt this offseason. The Bears took tight end Colston Loveland, who has seam-stretching ability and had nine TD catches over the past two seasons. New coach Ben Johnson comes from Detroit, where he had Sam LaPorta heavily involved in the pass game. Now, he will have Loveland and Cole Kmet at the position. Chicago would have loved it if Ashton Jeanty fell to No. 10 to jump-start the run game — and I prefer Tyler Warren among the tight ends in this class — but Poles is clearly doing whatever is necessary to get Williams where the Bears need him.
But he wasn’t done. Luther Burden III is an explosive after-the-catch merchant who will join a solid receiver room. Ozzy Trapilo could see work at left tackle, with Braxton Jones working back from an ankle injury. Seventh-rounder Kyle Monangai might not be Jeanty, but he ran for 1,200-plus yards in back-to-back seasons and has some of the best ball security among the class’s RBs. Luke Newman is probably moving inside to center behind Dalman.
But where are the pass rushers? The Bears’ edge defenders had a pass rush win rate of 10.2%, which was the third worst in the NFL last season. Shemar Turner is versatile, but he’s primarily an interior defensive lineman. He’ll join Grady Jarrett and Gervon Dexter Sr. there. I was thinking we might see at least one edge rusher among the Bears’ eight picks.
That was enough to knock Chicago down to a B+. Otherwise, I was a fan of its picks, which seem very centered on elevating Williams’ game in 2025.
Houston Texans: B+
Top needs entering the draft: Wide receiver, offensive tackle and guard
Quarterback C.J. Stroud took a step back last season, which is why the theme of Houston’s draft always had to be getting him more support. His top three receivers — Nico Collins (eight games), Stefon Diggs (10) and Tank Dell (three) — all missed time because of injuries in 2024. Dell’s return timeline from a significant knee injury is uncertain, and Diggs is now in New England. Stroud was also sacked 52 times, second most in the NFL, behind a poor offensive line. Houston retooled the unit in free agency, but I’m not sure anyone would say it absolutely improved it. The Texans swapped out Laremy Tunsil, Kenyon Green and Shaq Mason for Cam Robinson, Ed Ingram and Laken Tomlinson.
You get the point, and it’s the reason my top needs for Houston all came on offense. This front office can’t let Stroud’s rookie contract slip away, especially in a winnable AFC South. But rather than attack the holes with its early picks, Houston kept trading back for more draft capital, including selections in future years. The Texans entered Thursday with seven picks but ended up making nine. In all, they made seven trades in the draft.
The Texans dealt their first-rounder in one of those moves, but they made four Day 2 selections. Two of them were Iowa State receivers. Jayden Higgins brings 6-foot-4 size and explosion outside; Jaylin Noel brings speed and after-the-catch burst to the slot. They were both top-seven receivers on my board. As for the offensive line, Aireontae Ersery is 6-foot-6, 331 pounds and can handle speed or power off the edge. He might not step into a starting role right away, but he could develop into a starting left tackle in time.
The Texans took Jaylin Smith — my CB25 — at the end of the third round, but there’s upside in his game. They traded a future third-rounder to move up from No. 179 to No. 116 to take my RB17 early in Round 4. (I like Woody Marks, though — he squirts through traffic to break free.) The two picks in the seventh round are interesting fliers. I moved defensive tackle Kyonte Hamilton up my board late in the process, and tight end Luke Lachey has some strong blocking traits.
No guard here, but Houston did the most important thing for its draft: improve the offense around Stroud.
Kansas City Chiefs: B+
Top needs entering the draft: Offensive tackle, defensive tackle, running back and tight end
There was no way the Chiefs could exit the first two days of the draft without some serious offensive line improvements, even while slotted to pick down the board at No. 31. It doesn’t take a brilliant football mind to watch last season’s Super Bowl and know pass protection was a major factor in Kansas City’s blowout loss to Philadelphia. The Chiefs paid Jaylon Moore starting left tackle money in free agency, but he was a backup last season. And Jawaan Taylor hasn’t exactly been set-and-forget at right tackle. Even the once-mighty interior took a hit this offseason, when GM Brett Veach traded Joe Thuney to Chicago.
Not only did the Chiefs do something about it late on Day 1, they also picked up an extra fifth-rounder. They traded back one spot with the Eagles and finished Round 1 with Josh Simmons, who might have been the top offensive tackle in the class if not for a knee injury in the middle of last season. He’s terrific in pass protection and came at great value. I had him No. 15 on my Big Board. Even if he’s not quite ready for training camp, the Chiefs have Moore and Taylor. Once Simmons is fully healthy, he could be the answer as Patrick Mahomes‘ blindside protector.
The Chiefs got a pass-rushing 3-technique (Omarr Norman-Lott), penetrating edge rusher (Ashton Gillotte) and ball-hawking corner (Nohl Williams) on Day 2. They reached for Norman-Lott — my No. 142 player went at No. 63 — but he fills a need. I love Gillotte’s game, and “First Draft” fans know that. I had him as one of my “Orange Crushers” this year. And Williams picked off seven passes to lead the FBS last season. Nice little Friday night for Veach & Co.
Kansas City pivoted back to offense Friday, getting a vertical receiver in Jalen Royals and physical running back in Brashard Smith. The Royals pick, in particular, was great. He was No. 72 on my board, but K.C. got him at No. 133 overall. He scored 21 touchdowns over the past two seasons. And Smith is a converted receiver with 4.39 speed. Mahomes has to be pleased.
The only thing that kept Kansas City from the coveted “A” grade was not taking a tight end. Travis Kelce is 35 years old now, so the Chiefs need an heir apparent.
Los Angeles Chargers: B+
Top needs entering the draft: Wide receiver, tight end, guard and defensive tackle
It’s Jim Harbaugh’s second draft with the Chargers, and he further built this roster in his vision. Los Angeles had to make some tough salary cap decisions last season in cutting Mike Williams (before bringing him back after a year) and trading Keenan Allen in Harbaugh’s first offseason with the team, and it continued this spring with Joey Bosa‘s release. But there is a new nucleus appearing, and I think some of these 2025 draft picks could be big parts of that.
The key picks here are their first few. Omarion Hampton is a three-down back with the ability to hit a home run any time he takes a handoff. He was the only player in the FBS to run for 1,500-plus yards and 15-plus touchdowns in 2023 and 2024. The Chargers also signed Najee Harris, so expect an effective rushing attack to support Justin Herbert. (They used play-action 33.6% of the time last season, second most in the league.)
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Tre Harris was the other early pick. The Chargers desperately needed a wide receiver. Ladd McConkey had a great rookie season, but he was also a second-round pick responsible for 29.5% of the team’s receiving yards (1,149). Harris has dealt with some injuries, but he has the talent to take weight off McConkey. Harris went over 1,000 yards despite playing only eight games in 2024.
The Chargers went defense in Round 3. They allowed 4.7 yards per carry last season (27th) and lost Poona Ford in free agency. Defensive tackle Jamaree Caldwell is a solid run blocker, and the 332-pounder should improve that area of Los Angeles’ defense (though I might have gone with Yahya Black or CJ West there; both of whom were ranked higher).
I’m surprised the Chargers didn’t address the interior offensive line. I projected Grey Zabel to them in Round 1 in my final mock draft, but the only offensive line addition was sixth-round tackle Branson Taylor. I docked the Chargers a bit there, but there were some good Day 3 finds in their class. Kyle Kennard had 11.5 sacks last season and can help alleviate the loss of Joey Bosa. Oronde Gadsden II catches everything thrown his direction, which is why I listed him as my favorite sleeper tight end in the class. And safety Trikweze Bridges was one of my “Orange Crushers” on “First Draft” this year. I’m a big fan of his game.
Tennessee Titans: B+
Top needs entering the draft: Quarterback, edge rusher and wide receiver
The Titans started things off by getting their new quarterback. GM Mike Borgonzi didn’t draft Will Levis, and landing the No. 1 pick for the third time in franchise history gave him a prime opportunity to upgrade under center right off the bat. Tennessee’s 37.3 team QBR was 31st last season, and it turned the ball over 34 times, tied for the most in the NFL.
Cam Ward can make all the throws from different arm slots and while on the move, and he can dial up the velocity to drive the ball on a rope to receivers. But it’s his creativity that Tennessee will really love. Remember, Borgonzi comes to Tennessee from Kansas City, where Patrick Mahomes routinely delivers off-script magic. I’m not saying Ward will be Mahomes — and I actually had Shedeur Sanders ranked ahead of Ward on my QB board — but the Titans’ offense will definitely benefit from his playmaking ability.
Getting the QB was the easy part. The roster lacked legitimate pass catchers behind Calvin Ridley, even after signing Tyler Lockett this week. It’s not for a lack of trying: The Titans had drafted six WRs in the past four drafts. Nothing worked, but the stakes are higher with Ward under center. And because the Titans traded back from No. 35, they had to fish for impact receivers later in the draft. They took Chimere Dike at No. 103, but the pick I really liked at the position is Elic Ayomanor at No. 136. He was 79th on my Big Board. Ayomanor makes contested catches (34 over the past two seasons) and hauls in the deep ball.
On defense, the Oluwafemi Oladejo pick makes a lot of sense after Harold Landry III was a cap casualty during free agency. Tennessee finished with 32 team sacks last season, tied for the third fewest in the NFL. Oladejo — my No. 42 prospect — is a versatile defensive lineman who plays with burst and intensity. I love his tape. And then safety Kevin Winston Jr. is worth the midround flier. He’s a tough evaluation because he missed most of last season because of an injury, but the value is great. I ranked him 49th, and he hung around until No. 82.
I also think Jackson Slater could develop into the center of the future, and Kalel Mullings is a powerful runner who can slam through the pile. Oh, and Tennessee brought back a friend of Ward, signing receiver Xavier Restrepo as an undrafted free agent. That’s basically another good late-round pick.
Washington Commanders: B+
Top needs entering the draft: Edge rusher, cornerback and running back
I gave this team an A-minus for its 2024 draft haul, and here’s a snippet of what I wrote about its class: “If [Jayden] Daniels is a star, this could set the foundation for the Commanders returning to the playoffs — in a couple of years.”
Not bad! It took Daniels and Washington only one season to get to the playoffs, though, which ended in the NFC title game. The Commanders were ahead of schedule. Now? The clock is ticking. They have a limited window to put a star-laden team around Daniels before they have to give him a massive contract extension. They need to take advantage of him being on a rookie deal.
You could see that urgency this offseason in trades for wideout Deebo Samuel Sr. and offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil. Those veterans will make the Commanders better immediately. And with only five total picks, they really had to get a rookie starter in Round 1.
Instead, they might have gotten rookie starters with both of their top picks. I liked the selection of Josh Conerly Jr. at No. 29 — he played left tackle at Oregon, but I see his immediate future at guard or right tackle. He has the traits to play on the left side, though Tunsil will have that spot locked down for a few years. I thought Washington might go with a corner there, but GM Adam Peters got Trey Amos with his lone Day 2 pick, nearly 20 spots lower than where he was in my rankings (No. 43). Amos will fill a big hole for this defense.
Jaylin Lane is an intriguing Day 3 wideout. At 5-foot-10, he looks like a running back — and he took some snaps from the backfield in college. If Kliff Kingsbury can figure out how to get the ball in his hands, he has some juice after the catch. He’s also the best punt returner in this class.
I liked what Peters did with his first three selections, but this is not quite an A because it’s a small class and because he didn’t address the hole at edge. Still, this is a team that should again challenge for the NFC East crown.
Dallas Cowboys: B
Top needs entering the draft: Running back, wide receiver and cornerback
The Cowboys, coming off a disappointing and injury-plagued 7-10 season, could have gone in several directions at No. 12 overall. They could have targeted the defensive line, where they lost key depth with DeMarcus Lawrence and Chauncey Golston departing in free agency. They could have picked a guard to replace future Hall of Famer Zack Martin, who retired in February. They could have taken a tackle to create competition for Tyler Guyton and Terence Steele.
Or Dallas could have done the flashy thing and taken a playmaker to help the offense. It doesn’t have a standout No. 2 receiver behind CeeDee Lamb, nor does it have a game-changing running back. I thought running back Omarion Hampton might be an option, along with wideouts Matthew Golden or Tetairoa McMillan (who went off the board at No. 8).
So what did the Cowboys do? Well, they went unflashy with guard Tyler Booker, who can step in for Martin. Look, I like Booker as a player — he is my No. 1-ranked guard. I just don’t love the value at No. 12, which I wrote about Thursday night. I would have rather them trade down to add more capital that could have helped a depleted roster. I don’t think team owner Jerry Jones & Co. will care much about the value if Booker becomes a multiyear Pro Bowler, but it matters when I’m trying to grade a class from top to bottom.
Now, I did like what the Cowboys did on Day 2, adding edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku and cornerback Shavon Revel Jr., both of whom could have landed in the first round if everything broke right. They have the potential to be early starters for a Dallas defense undergoing a ton of turnover. Ezeiruaku could help fans forget about Lawrence, whose time with the team ended unceremoniously.
On Day 3, the Cowboys finally snagged a running back, but I had others rated over Jaydon Blue. Damien Martinez, Devin Neal and DJ Giddens were all higher in my rankings. Dallas also traded up for Blue, eating into its capital. It drafted another back — Phil Mafah, adding to a crowded depth chart. I like the competition, though. Jay Toia is a big run-stopping nose tackle who can plug holes on defense.
Overall, this is a solid, if unspectacular, haul.
Green Bay Packers: B
Top needs entering the draft: Wide receiver, cornerback, edge rusher and defensive tackle
Green Bay has been relatively quiet this offseason, other than giving big free agent contracts to guard Aaron Banks and cornerback Nate Hobbs. General manager Brian Gutekunst targeted two clear upgrades and paid up. The Packers, who have one of the league’s youngest rosters, should again be among the NFC’s best.
Improving quarterback Jordan Love‘s supporting cast was clearly a focus over the course of the draft. The Packers have young talent there, sure, but they’ve gone three straight seasons without a 1,000-yard receiver. They’ve had plenty of chances to draft first-round playmakers and didn’t take them. The streak ended, though, with Matthew Golden becoming Green Bay’s first WR in Round 1 since Javon Walker in 2002. I loved this pick, and I made it my headliner in Thursday night’s winners file. Golden is a smooth route runner and can sneak behind the defense with his 4.29 speed. Love will look his way early and often, and he could quickly step into the WR1 role in Green Bay.
The Packers brought in another receiver in Savion Williams, too. He is fun to watch because he does so many different things. TCU had him lined up all over the formation, and he even took snaps as a Wildcat quarterback. He runs over defenders at 222 pounds, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he saw some kick returns in Green Bay.
Despite how well the Packers addressed their biggest need, I was scratching my head with their approach to their second biggest. Green Bay made eight picks, and only one of them was directed toward the cornerback room: Micah Robinson at No. 237. I ranked 62 corners this year, but Robinson wasn’t on the list. The situation with corner Jaire Alexander is still lurking, and Hobbs and Keisean Nixon are both better in the slot.
The Packers like versatile offensive linemen, and Anthony Belton should slide around at a few different spots. They needed defensive line help, and Barryn Sorrell was one of only two FBS players to have at least 40 pressures and 10 run stops last season, joining James Pearce Jr. All in all, the host-city Packers did pretty well. But I wonder if we will question the lack of CB picks when three really good NFC North pass games are airing it out on the Packers in December with the division on the line.
Indianapolis Colts: B
Top needs entering the draft: Tight end, guard, center and linebacker
The Colts have to figure out if Anthony Richardson (or even Daniel Jones) is their true franchise quarterback this season. But it’s really hard to do that if the quarterback’s supporting cast isn’t up to snuff.
Step 1 is getting playmakers. Tight end Tyler Warren will move all over this offense and dominate no matter where offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter puts him. Penn State used him as a traditional in-line tight end, an H-back, a fullback, out of the slot and lined up out wide. The Colts’ tight end room, led by Kylen Granson, managed 39 catches (last) for 467 yards (second last) and two TDs (tied for second last) in 2024. But drafting Warren should change everything there. He had 700 receiving yards after the catch last season.
Suddenly, Richardson has a reliable outlet who can haul in anything and stretch the seams, and Indy didn’t have to move up to get my No. 7 prospect. It was really the best-case scenario for GM Chris Ballard on Thursday.
Step 2 is addressing the protection. Remember, the Colts lost Will Fries and Ryan Kelly in free agency. They were 25th in pass block win rate last season (56.4%), and Richardson was one of the worst QBs in the NFL when pressured (20.2 QBR, 24th in the league). I think they fell a little short here. They waited until Day 3 and reached a bit even at that point in the draft, taking offensive tackle Jalen Travis at No. 127. I would have loved guard Marcus Mbow in that spot.
Two more picks to call out. JT Tuimoloau had 12 sacks last season, and the Colts ranked 31st in the NFL with a 26.2% pressure rate in 2024. He has a lot of upside as a second-rounder. And running back DJ Giddens will be a good backup to Jonathan Taylor. Giddens broke 1,200 rushing yards in each of the past two seasons.
Jacksonville Jaguars: B
Top needs entering the draft: Defensive tackle, cornerback, safety and wide receiver
The Jaguars made waves pretty much right away Thursday, trading up from No. 5 to No. 2 to take receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter. It was an aggressive play, as they gave up Nos. 5, 36 and 126, plus a 2026 first-rounder, for Nos. 2, 104 and 200. But Hunter is no ordinary prospect. I had him No. 1 overall since the preseason. He will make the Jaguars better on both sides of the ball. So while the trade package is hefty, I understand the approach. (Besides, Jacksonville picked up two 2026 third-rounders in a trade with Detroit on Day 2 — I like that a lot.)
I projected Mason Graham to the Jaguars at No. 5 in all four of my mock drafts this cycle. I saw defensive tackle as the weakest spot on the roster. After all, the Jaguars allowed 5.9 yards per play and 25.6 points per game last season, both bottom-five numbers in the NFL. But the intel started to shift over the past week, and the Jags focusing on offense in Round 1 became more and more likely. Liam Coen — an offensive-minded coach — obviously wanted to get Trevor Lawrence another elite playmaker in his first year at the helm. Hunter will accomplish that after catching 96 passes for 1,258 yards and 15 TDs last season. Hunter, Brian Thomas Jr. and Brenton Strange form a solid trio.
But Hunter will also help that defense. The Jaguars lack a difference-maker opposite Tyson Campbell, and I’m betting Hunter sees plenty of work in coverage, especially late in close games. You can’t leave this guy on the sideline in big spots, regardless of whether it’s the offense or defense on the field. His ball skills, general feel for the game and speed will transform the Jaguars’ outlook.
The name of the game for the Jaguars from there was finding contributors. Cornerback Caleb Ransaw will help in the secondary. Guard Wyatt Milum was perfect value on the offensive front (my 89th prospect, going No. 89). Running back Bhayshul Tuten ran a 4.32 in the 40-yard dash at the combine and was my No. 78 prospect, so I like the value at No. 104 overall (but he needs to fix his fumbling issue). And safety Rayuan Lane III could make a sneaky impact. He plays fast and gets his hands on the ball when it’s thrown in his area.
Las Vegas Raiders: B
Top needs entering the draft: Running back, offensive line, wide receiver, cornerback and linebacker
The Ashton Jeanty-Raiders connection has been out there for a while. I’ve been projecting the elite running back to Vegas since before the combine. As soon as the Raiders hired Pete Carroll and traded for quarterback Geno Smith, it made sense. Jeanty ran for 2,601 yards last season, but the even more impressive number is his 1,733 rushing yards after first contact. He has the contact balance, vision, elusiveness and speed to find a hole and go. Carroll has leaned on the run game in the past, and now he gets his Marshawn Lynch to dominate on the ground in the AFC West.
The Raiders really needed to make a splash, too. They were last in rushing (3.6 yards per carry), and 33-year-old Raheem Mostert was at the top of the depth chart Thursday morning. I talk a lot about how teams should never take running backs in the first round, and this is the earliest we’ve seen one selected since Saquon Barkley went second in 2018. I’m lifting that philosophy for this pick. Jeanty was my No. 4 prospect. I’m OK with this one.
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The Raiders kept helping Smith and the offense, too. Jack Bech can make plays downfield and in tight coverage. And Caleb Rogers and Charles Grant provide instant depth to the offensive line. I love Grant’s game in particular. The former high school wrestler is explosive and physical, and he has 34¾-inch length. If Las Vegas coaches him up, it might have something with him — though it might take time. Even the sixth-round dart throw at Tommy Mellott — a quarterback-turned-receiver — could be interesting. His workout got scouts talking. Las Vegas averaged 17.8 points per game last season, 28th in the NFL. But this offensive unit could move the chains in 2025. Sign me up for Jeanty, Bech, Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers all day.
It’s easy to get excited about the offensive upgrades and forget about the defensive turnover, though. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The Tre’von Moehrig and Robert Spillane losses could hurt. Darien Porter was the only defensive pick before Round 4. He’s speedy, but he’s still learning the cornerback position after switching from receiver. Tonka Hemingway is an undersized 3-technique, and I’m not positive how fellow defensive tackle JJ Pegues fits into the mix. I wonder if he’s more of a fullback in the pros. Linebacker Cody Lindenberg is probably a special-teamer.
One more note: I shouted this out Friday, but the pair of Day 2 trade-backs was good business. The Raiders traded Nos. 37 and 143 to Miami for Nos. 48, 98 and 135. Then, they traded back again, sending No. 48 to Houston for Nos. 58 and 99. Las Vegas took some swings in the late rounds because of these trades, and it ended up with 11 picks.
New York Jets: B
Top needs entering the draft: Offensive tackle, tight end and wide receiver
The Aaron Rodgers era is over in New York, and the Jets are on to Justin Fields, who signed a two-year, $40 million deal with $30 million guaranteed. But to have any hope of avoiding a 15th straight season without the playoffs, they had to get more help on offense around Fields at the draft. They were 20th in yards per play last season (5.2), and the arrow wasn’t necessarily pointing up coming out of free agency after losing Davante Adams, Morgan Moses and Tyler Conklin.
New GM Darren Mougey and new coach Aaron Glenn didn’t waste any time, though, tackling one of the roster’s biggest issues with Armand Membou. He will replace Moses at right tackle, joining Olu Fashanu to form a really good tackle duo. You might see “right tackle” and think run blocker, and yes, he’s good in that department. But Membou also has the quickness and pop to improve the pass protection in a hurry.
Looking at the Jets’ options in Round 1, I was between Membou and tight end Tyler Warren. New York went Membou, but it got Mason Taylor on Friday. Consider that Jets tight ends averaged 8.1 yards per reception last season, last in the league. Fields excels at throwing to his tight ends, and Taylor is a reliable pass catcher. He has 6-foot-5 size to come down with end zone throws and the route-running traits to pick up key first downs.
Cornerback Azareye’h Thomas is strong in press coverage and has the speed to stick on receivers. The Jets will use him opposite Sauce Gardner. Getting him at No. 73 represents value, too. I had Thomas ranked 47th, and he probably would have been a first-rounder if he ran better at his pro day.
Those three picks were the start of an “A” draft class. But the Day 3 picks didn’t muster much. Receiver Arian Smith has speed, but his hands aren’t consistent. I had him ranked as WR33. Jalen Royals, Elic Ayomanor and Jaylin Lane were still available when Smith went No. 110. Edge rusher Tyler Baron is a decent fifth-rounder, but the Jets didn’t maximize those four picks in the fourth and fifth rounds.
San Francisco 49ers: B
Top needs entering the draft: Defensive tackle, offensive tackle, guard, cornerback and edge rusher
This is a crucial draft for the 49ers, who are teetering on a potential rebuild. Yes, injuries decimated their roster on the way to a disastrous 2024 season, but they lost several starters this offseason, including guard Aaron Banks, cornerback Charvarius Ward, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, safety Talanoa Hufanga and wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. Those are impact players who leave big shoes to fill. San Francisco has to figure out how to build its roster around a looming mega-extension for quarterback Brock Purdy.
General manager John Lynch entered Round 1 with 11 picks to play around with, including extra selections in the third, fourth and fifth rounds. Could he come out of the weekend with impact players?
Well, he certainly tried to help his defense. Lynch used his first five picks on that side of the ball, only the second time the 49ers have done that in the common draft era (since 1967). Three of those five made my list of favorite prospects ahead of the draft: linebacker Nick Martin, cornerback Upton Stout and defensive tackle CJ West. Martin and West were solid value picks, while Stout went a little high. All three are fun players who can make an impact, even if they’re not likely to be rookie starters.
Jordan Watkins is my 27th-ranked wideout, while Jordan James is my 23rd-ranked running back. San Francisco took both earlier than I would have liked. Quarterback Kurtis Rourke is an interesting flier in Round 7. I was impressed by his decision-making and his timing on throws when going through his tape. I wouldn’t be shocked if he made the roster.
This class likely will hinge on whether Mykel Williams can become a force on the other side of Nick Bosa. The 49ers ranked 28th in pressure rate last season (27.7%) and have to figure out ways to take pressure off their defensive backs. Williams is extremely explosive, but his modest sack totals (five in 2024) scared away some teams. Can San Francisco figure out how to get the best out of him on every snap? He has elite upside.
I like a few of the players Lynch took, but the value was questionable. Again, that matters in an exercise like this because you want to see organizations maneuver the board and add extra capital.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B
Top needs entering the draft: Edge rusher, cornerback and linebacker
I didn’t have wide receiver among the biggest draft needs for the Buccaneers, with Chris Godwin returning and joining Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan. That said, Evans and Godwin both missed time last season, and Evans is going to be a 32-year-old free agent next season. So, the Emeka Egbuka selection makes a lot of sense. I really like his game — he runs crisp routes and has dependable hands. I had Matthew Golden ranked higher, but I was hearing some first-round buzz on Egbuka, so the value lines up. The Bucs’ past six first-round picks have been at either offensive line or the front seven. The last skill position player on Day 1? Tight end O.J. Howard in 2017.
Egbuka is the headliner in a decent draft class for the four-time defending NFC South champs. While I wasn’t focusing on WR with my team needs, I had edge rusher and cornerback circled. Tampa Bay used its top picks at the edge in 2021 and 2022, but things haven’t panned out. Logan Hall‘s 5.5 sacks led the Bucs’ edge rushers last season. I love David Walker, though. You might not know the name because he played at FCS Central Arkansas, but he proved at the Senior Bowl that he can play with the best of them. He had 31 sacks and 63 tackles for loss over the past three seasons. His tape is filled with explosion, power and a deep variety of pass-rush moves.
The Buccaneers spent Friday night tending to their CB depth chart, landing Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish. Morrison fell on boards after a hip injury ended his 2024 season, but he’s great in press coverage and has good ball skills. Parrish was a combine riser for me, and his explosive traits will shine in the slot. The Buccaneers had seven interceptions last season, tied for fourth fewest in the NFL, but these two should help raise that number in 2025 and beyond.
Arizona Cardinals: B-
Top needs entering the draft: Wide receiver, guard and cornerback
The Cardinals finished 8-9 last season, taking a clear step forward in coach Jonathan Gannon’s second year in charge. Though their defense wasn’t amazing — they ranked 23rd in yards per play allowed, 25th in yards per rush allowed and 28th in pass rush win rate — they’re trending up, and the free agent signing of Josh Sweat should give the pass rush a boost. They have clear needs on that side of the ball, though, and I thought they needed to leave this draft with multiple defensive starters.
That’s exactly what they did, taking defenders with their first five picks. Walter Nolen is a super-talented defensive tackle, but I thought he went a little high at No. 16. He has upside as a pass rusher, sure, but there’s risk; he’s inconsistent from down to down. Cornerback Will Johnson could be a Round 2 steal — he ended up No. 11 on my Big Board. He’s coming off an injury-plagued season, and I know his medicals were a big reason for his slide into Day 2. Based on his tape, though, he can shut down wideouts. And he fills a hole: The Arizona defense allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 69% of passes last season, which ranked 29th.
Jordan Burch, a five-star recruit out of high school, can play multiple positions along the defensive front. Arizona took two Buckeyes — linebacker Cody Simon and cornerback Denzel Burke — who have a ton of experience. Simon went about a round early based on my board, while Burke looked like a top-50 pick on tape at times. I’d love to see him fulfill his talent. Hayden Conner is my 18th-ranked guard, and I thought he might go undrafted. I’m not totally sold that any of the Cardinals’ Day 3 picks will make an impact.
Overall, GM Monti Ossenfort tried to beef up a clear weakness, and I can’t fault him there. I’m surprised he didn’t take a wideout in a class full of solid players, though. If Johnson becomes a starter, this class could be just fine.
Buffalo Bills: B-
Top needs entering the draft: Cornerback, defensive tackle and wide receiver
The Bills didn’t enter the draft with many glaring issues — but they were armed with 10 draft picks to keep the roster strong and remain among the best in the AFC (they made nine after trades). One spot they had to address was cornerback, though. Opponents completed 68.5% of their passes against Buffalo (fifth highest) and converted 43.8% of their third-down attempts (fourth highest) last season. The Bills lost Rasul Douglas (unsigned), traded Kaiir Elam and really only addressed the position by signing Dane Jackson. That’s why taking Maxwell Hairston in the first round made a lot of sense. He’ll bring 4.28 speed and good ball skills to the Bills’ defense.
The other two main needs were defensive tackle and receiver. The Bills checked the first box when they took T.J. Sanders on Day 2. It was a reach. Sanders was 126th on my board — and the Bills traded up to get him. But they had eight sacks from inside last season, third fewest in the league, and that’s Sanders’ specialty. He consistently gets pressure. Sanders should fit in next to Ed Oliver. Third-round edge rusher Landon Jackson and fourth-round defensive tackle Deone Walker will contribute on the D-line, too. They both have pass-rush upside, but I think the run-defense traits might be even more important for them. Jackson sets a hard edge, and Walker fills a gap at 6-foot-7 and 331 pounds. Buffalo allowed 4.5 yards per carry last season, 19th in the league.
Not taking a receiver until No. 240 (Kaden Prather) was curious. The Bills’ first five picks went to defense, only the second time in the common draft era they’ve done that (2006). Chase Lundt is a depth right tackle. Jackson Hawes is a blocking tight end. While Buffalo walked away from the draft with some defensive upgrades, quarterback Josh Allen‘s unit didn’t improve this month. Buffalo could regret not doing more there.
Denver Broncos: B-
Top needs entering the draft: Running back, cornerback and wide receiver
A year ago, I was concerned the Broncos had too many roster questions to reach for a QB in the first round. I thought they might seek a Day 1 trade down to stockpile picks while navigating the Russell Wilson dead-money salary cap fiasco. Well, fast-forward 12 months. Bo Nix threw 29 touchdown passes as a rookie after coach Sean Payton made him the sixth QB off the board at No. 12 last April, and the Broncos had arguably the league’s best defense and offensive line in 2024.
So, the draft objectives changed a little bit in 2025. Denver is suddenly shaping a contender, as it tries to challenge the Chiefs for the AFC West and return to the playoffs for a second straight year. Running back — a non-premium position — is listed as my No. 1 need for this team. I really thought the Broncos might take Omarion Hampton when he was still there at No. 20. Instead, they got a super versatile defensive back in Jahdae Barron. He had five interceptions last season and answered speed questions with an exclamation point at the combine, running a 4.39. Good luck throwing on Pat Surtain II, Riley Moss and Barron this season.
The running back play came on Day 2, but it wasn’t the splashy move I was looking for at the position. RJ Harvey was my RB9, and Denver took him when Kaleb Johnson, Dylan Sampson and others were still available. Javonte Williams didn’t move the needle much last season as the team’s top rusher (513 yards), and he signed in Dallas. The Broncos really needed a dominant three-down back. Harvey is more likely to help in spurts, especially if Payton can get him in space. Perhaps Harvey serves as his “joker,” the multidimensional offensive playmaker whom he likes in his offenses (think Alvin Kamara in New Orleans).
The third-round picks — receiver Pat Bryant and defensive end Sai’vion Jones — were OK. I have concerns about Bryant’s speed after he ran a 4.61-second 40-yard dash, and I had several receivers ranked ahead of him when Denver took him. Jones should help all along the defensive line, and he is disruptive behind the line of scrimmage.
Los Angeles Rams: B-
Top needs entering the draft: Cornerback, linebacker, quarterback and offensive tackle
The Rams are always up to something. Without a second-round pick because of their trade up for Braden Fiske in last year’s draft, I thought general manager Les Snead was a prime candidate to move out of Round 1 to add more selections. He has a long history of doing so.
At the same time, L.A. has a sizable hole at cornerback and could have filled it at No. 26. The defense allowed a 59.9 QBR last season, which ranked 28th in the league, and allowed 12 touchdown passes of 20-plus yards, which tied for 30th. Will Johnson, Maxwell Hairston and even Azareye’h Thomas all could have made sense.
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In the end, Snead and coach Sean McVay got a deal done with the Falcons to trade back, acquiring pick Nos. 46 and 242 and an extremely valuable 2026 first-rounder for Nos. 26 and 101. I love the deal for L.A., which is going year to year with quarterback Matthew Stafford and now could look to next year’s draft to find a successor. Atlanta isn’t guaranteed to make the playoffs, which means its pick could fall in the teens.
On Day 2, the Rams added tight end Terrance Ferguson, who can make plays after the catch. The Rams had the fewest receiving yards from tight ends of any team last season (459). I would have preferred Elijah Arroyo over Ferguson, but now those two will be on opposite sidelines twice a year because the Seahawks took Arroyo a few picks later. L.A. got good value with edge rusher Josaiah Stewart, who went right around where I expected. He has some potential as a pass rusher.
I was surprised to see fourth-round pick Jarquez Hunter go before a few other running backs, including Dylan Sampson. Hunter can break tackles. This is the eighth straight draft the Rams have selected a running back. Fifth-round pick Chris Paul Jr. is a tackling machine who can cover running backs in space. He doesn’t have great speed, but he’ll have a role with the Rams’ defense.
The biggest question for me: Why didn’t Snead take any corners? I see issues when looking at the Rams’ depth chart. That’s still a weak group.
Minnesota Vikings: B-
Top needs entering the draft: Guard, cornerback and defensive tackle
The Vikings have one of the NFL’s most talented rosters around one of the biggest unknowns of the 2025 season. It appears they’re going to ride with J.J. McCarthy at quarterback, the 2024 first-rounder who missed his rookie campaign because of a knee injury. They let Sam Darnold walk in free agency and have passed up a chance to bring in Aaron Rodgers to compete with him. (They also traded back in Round 5 on Saturday to acquire Sam Howell, who should be the backup.) Can McCarthy thrive? He has all the tools; I ranked him No. 15 on my final Big Board last year.
Minnesota, however, came into this draft with just four total picks, the fewest of any team. (The Vikings added one more via a trade with the Rams.) If general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was going to help out his young passer, he was going to have to do it with surgical precision. The first move was Donovan Jackson in Round 1. He will take Blake Brandel‘s spot at left guard, where he will help both as a pass protector and run blocker. Somewhat surprisingly, Jackson was the third guard off the board at No. 24.
The Vikings got some value with the next few picks. Receiver Tai Felton had 96 catches last season; Minnesota landed my No. 83 prospect at No. 102. Edge rusher Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins didn’t fill the stat sheet in a deep Georgia rotation, but he has some traits that can be developed. He was No. 123 on my board, acquired at No. 139.
Adofo-Mensah did what he could with the team’s limited picks, but I wanted to see the Vikings snag an impact cornerback who could thrive in Brian Flores’ aggressive system. Minnesota was the last team to make a pick on defense (Ingram-Dawkins at No. 139), and it didn’t do anything at corner. But the Vikings like the young corners they already have in the room.
New Orleans Saints: B-
Top needs entering the draft: Quarterback, cornerback, wide receiver, guard and edge rusher
Reach, reach, reach. That’s what I have in my notes for the Saints. Too many reaches. I was critical of their first round. I was similarly critical of their second and third rounds. Some of that centered on their QB approach — I had a much higher grade on Shedeur Sanders than I did Tyler Shough, whom they took at No. 40. But I just didn’t love their value throughout.
On Shough, are we sure he will be the heir apparent to Derek Carr? The veteran is dealing with a shoulder injury, and his status for 2025 is up in the air. I understand that Shough is 26 years old, but I’m not sure New Orleans can put him on the field this season and expect to win games. And really, if you’re taking a quarterback in the top 40, you’ve got to believe you can win games with him, either immediately or after he catches up to the speed of the league. I don’t have that belief.
I liked the selection of offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. in Round 1, but Vernon Broughton was my 20th-ranked defensive tackle, and New Orleans took him in Round 3. There were better safeties available when it drafted Jonas Sanker in the same round, too. The Saints didn’t get an edge rusher until Round 7 and didn’t take a wide receiver at all.
So what saves this class from a C? They added a few good players on Day 3, including linebacker Danny Stutsman and cornerback Quincy Riley. Those are solid picks. Not stars, but solid prospects. Overall, I would have gone in a different direction if I were in GM Mickey Loomis’ shoes.
Pittsburgh Steelers: B-
Top needs entering the draft: Defensive tackle, quarterback, wide receiver and running back
The Steelers must feel really good about their chances of signing Aaron Rodgers. That’s the only explanation for their approach to the 2025 draft. And if they don’t land Rodgers (or pull some other magic at QB), coach Mike Tomlin’s 18-year streak of going at least .500 could end. Mason Rudolph is the current starter. Yet, Pittsburgh added only Will Howard at the position — in Round 6. He’s a backup in the NFL. Instead of getting a quarterback they can win games with right now in Round 1, the Steelers went defensive tackle.
Don’t get me wrong, Derrick Harmon is perfect for this defense. His 34 pressures when lined up as an interior lineman led the FBS. He combines power and quickness to create chaos. And with Cameron Heyward turning 36 years old, the defensive line had to get some youthful reinforcements. The pick itself is really good, but it just seems like Pittsburgh is rolling the dice at its most important position. And think about this, too: The Steelers didn’t have a second-round pick because they traded it for DK Metcalf. But who is throwing Metcalf the ball?
Elsewhere, Kaleb Johnson will pair nicely with Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell at running back. The Steelers averaged 4.1 yards per carry (tied for 20th). Edge rusher Jack Sawyer and defensive tackle Yahya Black provide some more youth to the defensive line — and at good value. Sawyer ranked 90th for me but went 123rd. Black ranked 66th but wasn’t drafted until 164th overall. And Sawyer’s 15.9% pressure rate (eighth in the nation) will help T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.
Again, these are good picks that hit major needs. But this draft class grade will likely come down to Rodgers’ decision. That’s why I’m giving Pittsburgh a B-minus.
Carolina Panthers: C+
Top needs entering the draft: Linebacker, defensive tackle, wide receiver and edge rusher
In all four mock drafts I did for this class, I projected Carolina to take Jalon Walker at No. 8. It’s never that easy, though, right?
The Panthers went a different route, adding receiver Tetairoa McMillan. At 6-foot-4, he brings in just about anything thrown in his direction, including contested catches. Quarterback Bryce Young will throw the ball up to him in the red zone and walk away with a touchdown more often than not. Think Drake London in Atlanta. McMillan doesn’t generate much separation, though, which could be an issue against NFL corners. It’s part of the reason I had him ranked 19th. Even so, there are some good, young receivers in this locker room now with McMillan, Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker. (Carolina also added Jimmy Horn Jr. in the sixth round.)
The defenders came on Day 2, though. Good thing. Here’s a sampling of the categories in which Carolina’s defense ranked last in the league in 2024: points allowed per game (31.4), rushing yards allowed per game (179.8), total yards per game (404.5), QBR allowed (64.8), yards per play (6.0), first downs allowed per game (24.5), opponents’ third-down conversion percentage (50.2%) and run stop win rate (25%).
Nic Scourton spent some time in my top 25 during the season, but I ended up ranking him 58th. He closes well on the QB, but his sack count fell from 10 to five in 2024. I like his run-stopping traits, though. Don’t sleep on his impact there. Princely Umanmielen was the other second-day selection, and he will push quarterbacks off their spots. His 17.9% pressure rate ranked fourth in the country last season.
I’m surprised GM Dan Morgan, a former linebacker, didn’t do anything at the second level, but defensive tackle Cam Jackson in Round 5 and safety Lathan Ransom will give defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero some more depth to work with.
Detroit Lions: C+
Top needs entering the draft: Edge rusher, guard and linebacker
I had the Lions taking an edge rusher in Round 1 in all four of those mock drafts I mentioned. Twice it was James Pearce Jr., then it was Oluwafemi Oladejo, and finally it was Donovan Ezeiruaku. Part of that is because of the value — there are really solid pass rushers to be had late in Round 1, where Detroit was poised to make its first pick. Part of that is because it’s a severe need for this roster. Aidan Hutchinson led the Lions in sacks last season, racking up 7.5, doing so in just five games. When he broke his leg in mid-October, the pass rush struggled the rest of the season; no other player had more than Za’Darius Smith‘s four sacks.
Oladejo and Ezeiruaku were both on the board at No. 28, as was Mike Green. Yet, Detroit looked elsewhere, taking defensive tackle Tyleik Williams. He can fire into the backfield as a run stopper, but he lacks pass-rush juice (2.5 sacks in 2024). I had him ranked 44th overall and sixth among DTs in the class, though we watched four interior D-linemen get taken before the Lions’ first-round pick. I’m not worried about the value. I’m more concerned with the missed chance to find Hutchinson a running mate on the edge.
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The edge rusher didn’t come on Day 2, either. The Lions tackled a need, though. They traded up from No. 60 to No. 57 to take guard Tate Ratledge. He’s going to fit nicely in Detroit and push to start at right guard (Christian Mahogany and Kayode Awosika are the main competition). The trade up cost the Lions their fourth-round pick, but they had a hole. Miles Frazier — their fifth-rounder — will also provide depth. He is a top-10 guard and just missed my top 100 overall.
The lone edge rusher selected by Detroit was Ahmed Hassanein in Round 6. He’s productive, with 22 sacks, 97 pressures and 33.5 tackles for loss over the past two seasons. He’s just touching the surface of what he can be. It’s just not the splash I was expecting.
Detroit’s most questionable move, though, was trading up from No. 102 to No. 70 to take receiver Isaac TeSlaa. Good player, but he was ranked No. 149 overall on my board. I count 12 receivers ranked above him who were still available — and nine of them still would have been there at the Lions’ original slot. To make the aggressive move up the board, Detroit forked over two 2026 third-rounders.
Miami Dolphins: C+
Top needs entering the draft: Safety, cornerback, defensive tackle and guard
The Dolphins missed the playoffs for the first time in the Mike McDaniel era last season, and it was their first losing record at 8-9 since 2019. Terron Armstead retired. Tyreek Hill has expressed frustration and even alluded to wanting out before walking it back. Jalen Ramsey is a trade candidate. This is a team in need of a spark, and it was a good year to have a bunch of picks. But then Miami used its first-round pick on … a nose tackle.
Kenneth Grant is a good player, no doubt. The 331-pounder stops runners in their tracks and breaks up passes at the line of scrimmage. The Dolphins needed an impact player next to Zach Sieler on the defensive line. I just don’t know that No. 13 overall was the place to find that player — especially because Grant’s pass rush upside is limited.
The bigger need falls in the secondary. Even before Miami was exploring a Ramsey trade, cornerback was a problem. Miami came to Green Bay with some combination of Storm Duck, Cam Smith and Ethan Bonner penciled in at CB2 to replace Kendall Fuller. That wasn’t going to work. Safety was an even bigger issue after Jevon Holland signed with the Giants. Yet it was crickets at both positions until Day 3. Jason Marshall Jr. (CB32) and Dante Trader Jr. (S16) were the only adds.
Jonah Savaiinaea was the team’s lone Day 2 selection. The Dolphins were 28th in pass block win rate (55.7%) last season. Patrick Paul might work out at left tackle as Armstead’s replacement, but Miami needed options across the offensive line. Savaiinaea played tackle and guard at Arizona, and I’m projecting him as an interior blocker in the NFL. He could easily be the starter at left guard, with free agent addition James Daniels taking the right guard spot. If Paul struggled at left tackle, Savaiinaea could be a plug there; he looked good in a handful of games at left tackle last season.
I’ll end with a note on quarterback Quinn Ewers: He throws with touch, but I just didn’t see a lot of consistency from him. He’s a backup quarterback in the NFL.
Atlanta Falcons: C
Top needs entering the draft: Edge rusher, cornerback and defensive tackle
The Falcons had 31 sacks last season, more than just one other team (New England). In fact, since 2019, they have 169 total sacks, 30 fewer than any other team, according to ESPN Research. They added Leonard Floyd and Morgan Fox in free agency, but look at their depth chart: Do any of those predraft pass rushers scare you?
That’s why I — and pretty much every other draft analyst — had connected them with the edge rushers in Round 1. They had to come away from this draft with talent for new coordinator Jeff Ulbrich to work with, despite having only five total picks and two in the top 100. They found value at No. 15, too. Jalon Walker was 10th on my board. I graded him as an off-ball linebacker — he has the sideline-to-sideline speed to be a factor there — but Atlanta is going to run him off the edge. Walker blasts into the backfield with his explosion and bend, and he had 11.5 sacks over the past two seasons. Good start!
It was short-lived, though. Atlanta wasn’t satisfied and added another edge rusher 11 picks later. It had to trade up to get James Pearce Jr., and while his traits are undeniable, the value was suspect. Among the shuffled picks in the deal with the Rams, the Falcons coughed up a 2026 first-rounder to jump from No. 46 all the way up into Round 1. Hindsight is 20-20, but Donovan Ezeiruaku (No. 23 overall) had a higher grade than Pearce (No. 34) on my board and didn’t go until No. 44. I can’t knock throwing everything at the pass rush, but Atlanta reached here. And it gave up too much to do so.
I had cornerback as the second-biggest need behind edge, but interestingly, the Falcons went hard at safety. Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Jr. are both ball hawks. Since the start of the 2023 season, Watts led the FBS with 13 interceptions, and Bowman tied for seventh with eight. Atlanta signed Jordan Fuller to slot next to Jessie Bates III, but Watts and Bowman will provide depth. Neither Fuller nor Bates is signed beyond 2026.
The Falcons used their first four picks on the defensive side of the ball for the first time since 2009. I just wish one of them went to the cornerback group and maybe one of them was directed at defensive tackle. But the real hit — the key reason I gave Atlanta this “C” — was trading away the 2026 first-rounder.
Cincinnati Bengals: C
Top needs entering the draft: Edge rusher, linebacker, safety and guard
If there was ever a year for the Bengals to go against some long-standing trends, this was it. First, they extended Ja’Marr Chase and re-signed Tee Higgins, including guarantees beyond the first years of the respective deals — something the Bengals have not done in the past outside of the Joe Burrow deal two offseasons ago. But if that’s what it takes to retain two of the league’s best receivers, you do it. The offense — which scored 26.4 points per game last season — will be strong again.
Second, the Bengals drafted a front-seven player in the first round. They had done so just once in the past 15 years, taking Myles Murphy late on Day 1 in 2023. No other team has taken fewer than three defensive linemen or linebackers in Round 1 over that time. I’m not sure Cincinnati had a choice. The defense likely cost it a playoff spot last season (25.5 points allowed per game). Burrow and the Bengals lost four times while scoring 33-plus points. Trey Hendrickson — who had 17.5 of the team’s 36 sacks — requested a trade, and his future is still in question. But Hendrickson or no Hendrickson, the Bengals had to land an effective pass rusher. And they had to do it early with only six picks.
Shemar Stewart has all the explosiveness and power you’d want in an edge rusher. He rockets into the backfield. But the 4.5 career sacks mean this is still a projection. Can he put it all together in the pros? The ceiling is very high, and he will be given every opportunity to reach it. The Bengals don’t have much opposite Hendrickson. I ranked Stewart 27th overall.
Cincinnati also went need hunting on Day 2. Demetrius Knight Jr. gives the Bengals an off-ball linebacker, which provides cover in case Germaine Pratt isn’t in town for the long haul; he also requested a trade. Dylan Fairchild gives the Bengals a reliable guard, where the pass protection really struggled last season. Neither player came at value, though. Knight was ranked 82nd on my board and went 49th. Ratledge was ranked 110th and went 81st. On Day 3, my favorite Bengals pick was running back Tahj Brooks. He is coming off back-to-back 1,500-yard seasons on the ground and provides depth behind Chase Brown and Zack Moss.
It was sort of a ho-hum draft for the Bengals overall, which is why I gave them a “C” grade.
