NFL Draft 2025 picks, grades from Round 1: Cam Ward gets a ...

Yahoo Sports NFL draft analyst Charles McDonald offers pick-by-pick analysis and grades in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Here’s how he rated teams in the 2024 and 2023 drafts if you’re scoring at home.

Grade: B

The Titans needed a quarterback and drafted the top one in the class. Ward is a quality quarterback prospect with good upside to grow into a franchise player, and the Titans have put together a good enough offensive line where he’ll have a real chance to reach his ceiling. Ward might not be as highly thought of as the quarterback prospects from last year, but he’s worthy of the first pick and the Titans had a huge hole at quarterback.

Player comparison: Steve McNair

Grade: B+

The Jaguars have made the first bold move of the draft, with new general manager James Gladstone taking the “F them picks” approach from his former workplace with the Rams. The Jaguars are getting the best player in the draft and will get to decide his fate on offense or defense, but Hunter plans on playing both ways. Obviously the Jaguars have not spoken much about Hunter prior to the draft, but it’s hard to hate on a team that already believes they have their quarterback moving up and getting Hunter.

Player comparison: Odell Beckham, Champ Bailey

Grade: B+

This pick gives the Giants one of the fiercest pass rushes in the league and puts Abdul Carter with star defensive linemen Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns. If the Giants’ cornerback play can improve this year, this could be one of the most improved defenses in the league. The presence of Lawrence, Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux will give Carter some great matchups to wreak havoc as a rookie. Perhaps the Giants could’ve gone offensive line here, but Carter’s upside as a pass rusher, in that front seven, is hard to turn down.

Player comparison: Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila

Grade: B+

Simple is as simple does. The Patriots needed a left tackle and they got arguably the best guy in this class. The Patriots offense has their quarterback in Drake Maye, but they still needed offensive tackle help which they can get here in a hurry with Campbell. Even if Campbell isn’t a tackle, they can still get their best five linemen on the field.

Player comparison: Rashawn Slater

(Yahoo Sports)

Grade: A-

Trading back to get Mason Graham is a great process for the Browns. Graham can be a stalwart 3-technique next to Myles Garrett and give them a long-term talent they needed at that position. It’s hard to find defensive tackles with pass rush potential and he’s got it.

Player comparison: Christian Wilkins

Grade: C-

Ashton Jeanty is an incredible player, but this doesn’t seem like the player the Raiders need right now. Getting Geno Smith and Jeanty (to go along with Brock Bowers!) will significantly raise the floor on the offfense, but they still need offensive line help to maximize this thing.

Player comparison: Priest Holmes

Grade: A

Membou makes a ton of sense here as the Jets build a bookend duo with Olu Fashanu, who was a stellar rookie left tackle last year for New York. Membou is flatly one of the best players in the draft and should be an immediate, long-term right tackle for the Jets with massive upside to be a Pro Bowl player — or better.

Player comparison: Duane Brown

Grade: B

The Panthers have spent a lot of assets on wide receivers over the past two drafts, but adding McMillan gives Bryce Young a true “X” wide receiver and moves Xavier Legette to a WR2 role that’s a bit more appropriate for him. The Panthers have a talented offense with a deep offensive line and running game and now McMillan adding depth and starting talent to the wide receiver room.

Player comparison: Tee Higgins

Grade: B+

The Saints just needed to hit a single and they got that done with the selection of Kelvin Banks who should slide in as a long-term starter at tackle or guard. With Banks and Taliese Fuaga, the teams’ first round pick from last year, they should have two young offensive linemen on rookie contracts that can stabilize the offense as they continue to retool it.

Player comparison: Connor McGovern

Grade: B-

The Bears needed more talent in their pass catching room and add Colston Loveland to their roster to boost their tight end spot. Loveland has room to grow physically as a blocker, but he’s young and has NFL-ready skills as a pass catcher in Ben Johnson’s new offense.

Player comparison: Owen Daniels

Grade: B

Mykel Williams isn’t the most explosive pass rusher, but he’s a steady run defender that should pair well with Nick Bosa and his aggressive style of play. The 49ers needed to add more sturdiness to their defensive line and Williams brings that — and gives them a chance to get back to playing dominant defense.

Player comparison: Robert Quinn

Grade: B

This is a bit of a surprising pick, but it’s a quality one. Tyler Smith and Tyler Booker should be one of the best, young guard duos in the league that will play a whole lot of power football for the Cowboys. Booker is a specific scheme fit, but this pick suggests that the Cowboys are going to be blowing defensive lines off the ball with a heavy run game and play action shots off of it. Surprising, but good.

Player comparison: Gabe Jackson

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NFL Draft 2025 picks, grades from Round 1: Cam Ward gets a …

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