2025 NFL Draft Grades: First-Round Picks
Welcome to the 2025 NFL Draft! The first round is complete, and I was anticipating chaos. It exceeded all expectations. We had a massive trade at pick #2. Two QBs were selected, and neither was Shedeur Sanders. DTs flew off the board, while some talented defensive backs slipped to round 2. You can check on my final mock draft if you want, but it didn’t turn out to be incredibly accurate. Honestly though, connecting on 8 picks feels like an accomplishment this year. In this post, I’ll stick to what I do best: analyzing and grading the selected players. Here are my grades for each of the 32 picks made in the first round of the draft!
1. Tennessee Titans – QB Cam Ward, Miami: B+
Tennessee never really considered trading this pick, as hard as teams like the Giants tried to get it. That’s because teams decided quickly that there was only one potential franchise QB in this draft, and that’s Ward. The 0-star recruit who started out at Incarnate Word had quite the rise over his long college career. He has arm talent, mobility, and a great demeanor. I worry a bit about his accuracy and decision-making; he can’t get away with as much in the NFL. Still, he has considerable upside, and the Titans badly needed to move on from Will Levis. I’d have traded this pick, but I can’t blame Tennessee at all for staying put.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars – WR/CB Travis Hunter, Colorado: D
Wow. I heard the whispers about Jacksonville wanting to trade up, but I can’t believe they did THIS. A second-rounder and a first next year to move up 3 spots for a non-QB? That’s ludicrous. You can argue that the Jags are actually getting two players out of Hunter, who was announced as a WR and a defensive back. However, 2026 is projected to be a much better draft, so I’d rather have that pick. The 2025 class is deep, so that lost 2nd-round pick could also hurt. I love Hunter’s potential; he projects as a star at two different positions. I just hate the way Jacksonville went about getting him. I really don’t get the long-term strategy.
3. New York Giants – EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State: B-
New York looked happy in their war room, but I doubt they’re truly satisfied. They wanted to trade up for Cam Ward, and Travis Hunter would’ve been a better fit than Carter. The Giants already have Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux as pass rushers, so this wasn’t a need. Considering that the team needs almost everything else, I don’t love that aspect. They had no choice though because Carter was one of just a few blue-chip prospects available. His durability concerns me, but he’s incredibly explosive and plays the run just as hard as he rushes the passer. Big Blue might be disappointed, but they got a good player.
4. New England Patriots – OT Will Campbell, LSU: A-
There were whispers about the Patriots trading this pick, but those were false. HC Mike Vrabel wanted toughness with his first pick at the team’s coach, and he got that in Campbell. The more I watch his tape, the less I care about his arm length. Campbell played great against elite SEC competition for 3 years. If his arms were going to stifle him, they would’ve done so right now. He’s a really clean prospect who may not be an elite player, but we can safely predict that he’ll be very good. My only quibble is that after seeing what the Browns got for their pick, New England would’ve been better served trading their own selection.
5. Cleveland Browns – DT Mason Graham, Michigan: A+
Cleveland really did it. They traded away from Travis Hunter when nobody expected them to command a haul for the #2 pick. Not only did they scoop up a 2026 first-round pick for a better class, but they then landed the consensus top DT in the class at their new position. Graham doesn’t have one particularly dominant trait, but he’s good at everything. He keyed a Michigan defense that made and won a bowl game without a functional QB. With Myles Garrett lined up next to him every play, Graham should be able to thrive early on. I’m not used to commending the Browns’ use of draft picks, but here we are!
6. Las Vegas Raiders – RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State: C
This is tough. On my list of prospects, Jeanty actually ranks #1. He’s the best draftable RB since Bijan Robinson, and the Raiders badly needed a runner. However, I advise against drafting RBs in the top 15 because those teams aren’t usually contenders, so you’re wasting the prime years of these guys’ careers. Las Vegas’ gaping hole at right tackle remains, and they could’ve filled it with Armand Membou. No more top tackle prospects remain, while there are plenty more RBs. From a positional value standpoint, this pick is horrible, but I really love the player. Thus, I have to go somewhere in the middle with my grade.
7. New York Jets – OT Armand Membou, Missouri: B
Just 24 hours ago, the Jets probably didn’t see Membou as a possibility. Based on the craziness that took place above them, they got their man and didn’t overthink it. To some, Membou was the #1 tackle in the class thanks to his arm length advantage over Will Campbell. New York, who lost Morgan Moses, needed a right tackle to protect Justin Fields (who functions poorly under pressure). Membou will also open holes for Breece Hall and Braelon Allen. The new regime, at least so far, seems to be prioritizing building through the trenches. That’s a proven winning formula; in fact, it just won the Eagles a Super Bowl.
8. Carolina Panthers – WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona: B
Here’s another pick that very few saw coming. Carolina needed another receiver, but with the league’s worst defense, that seemed to be the priority. Jalon Walker would’ve fit well, and he was considered a lock for this slot. Instead, the Panthers took their second 1st-round WR in two years. Those who read this site know that I’ve been a fan of McMillan for a while. He’s my #1 WR in the class, as he brings a large body, great hands, and better-than-expected athleticism. I think he’ll be a great asset for QB Bryce Young. Did Carolina really look at their depth chart though? They still can’t stop anyone from scoring at will.
9. New Orleans Saints – OT/G Kelvin Banks Jr, Texas: A
Congratulations to the Saints for resisting their temptation for a QB (if they ever did actually want one) and going with the best player available. Banks could’ve gone a couple of picks earlier than this, and he was the last of the three tier-1 tackles available. Ryan Ramczyk just retired, and although New Orleans drafted Taliese Fuaga early last year, Trevor Penning hasn’t panned out. Banks has natural power and athleticism with room to further improve in the NFL. Whoever plays QB for the Saints in the future is going to have to be protected. The team’s two most-recent 1st-round picks should go a long way toward making that a reality.
10. Chicago Bears – TE Colston Loveland, Michigan: JAMARCUS RUSSELL
We’ve got our first F- of the draft! I have no idea what happened in Chicago’s draft room. When Ashton Jeanty and Kelvin Banks didn’t fall to them, did they have a meltdown? Cole Kmet is a good TE on a big contract, so this wasn’t a position of need. Even if they wanted a tight end, Tyler Warren was by far the better option. Loveland is a good receiver, but he can’t block at all. Chicago also has plenty of weapons for Caleb Williams. The team needed a pass rusher or an offensive tackle. This is almost a wasted pick; Loveland could be decent, but he doesn’t make the Bears better in any way.
11. San Francisco 49ers – DE Mykel Williams, Georgia: B
It’s clear that different teams ranked these edge rushers in different orders. Williams was one who was widely expected to go between 9 and 15, and he did. He’s a traits prospects who never broke out in college, though an ankle injury slowed him during his 2024 season, which seemed poised to be his best. The 49ers can’t afford to miss here because of all the talent they lost in free agency and the upcoming Brock Purdy contract. Williams was thus one of the safer options available and should pair nicely with Nick Bosa. It’s not the most inspiring pick, but it adequately fills a need.
12. Dallas Cowboys – G Tyler Booker, Alabama: C-
WR Matthew Golden and TE Tyler Warren were both on the board for Dallas…and they took a guard. This reminds me of when they took Zack Martin over Johnny Manziel, but Martin was an elite prospect. Booker is a very safe pick and is the top guard in this class. However, his testing numbers at the Combine were atrocious, and positional value stood to drop him into the 20s. If the Cowboys wanted Booker that badly, they could’ve traded back a handful of spots before taking him. Martin’s retirement necessitated a guard at some point, but I wasn’t expecting that point to be at #12 overall.
13. Miami Dolphins – DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan: B+
For some evaluators, Mason Graham wasn’t the best Michigan TE. Grant was. He’s already a run-stuffing monster, and though he has very little sack production, he has upside as a pass rusher. Miami lost Christian Wilkins before last season and never replaced him. Until now that is. Grant can be the monster in the middle that this team has been lacking. I thought a CB or a safety (all of whom were on the board) would’ve suited the Dolphins better given Jevon Holland’s departure and the likely trade of Jalen Ramsey. Regardless, Grant fills a need, and this is a very fair range for him. (Also, 3 Tylers on one line?)
14. Indianapolis Colts – TE Tyler Warren, Penn State: A+
I got this pick right in my mock draft, but I didn’t slot Warren here because I thought another team would foolishly draft a different TE. The match with the Colts was just perfect. Warren is the best TE in the class and one of the top 5 prospects overall. He’s not quite at Brock Bowers’ level when he came out, but he’s very good and should provide an excellent security blanket for Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones. Based on the way this board unfolded, Warren ended up being a great value as well. I thought the Colts might need to trade up. Instead, they stood pat and got their man. Nicely done!
15. Atlanta Falcons – OLB Jalon Walker, Georgia: A+
For the second consecutive pick, value and need aligned perfectly. Most of us thought Walker was going to Carolina at #8, while fellow Bulldog Mykel Williams might be the one available at this spot. It was actually Walker who slid, and I’m not sure why. He’s a versatile player who has experience playing both off the ball and on the age, and he looked great in both roles. Atlanta has needed a premium edge rusher for at least two years. At long last, they filled that persistent need and got themselves a steal in the process. I’ve been hard on the Falcons’ drafts for a while, but this one is off to a stellar start.
16. Arizona Cardinals – DT Walter Nolen, Mississippi: B
If we were grading picks just for upside, Nolen would be one of the best. He’s a large, fast man who explodes toward QBs while retaining enough strength to stop the run. I’ve noticed him rising up draft boards over the past couple of weeks and it’s all about his potential. However, consistency has eluded Nolen during his time as a starter. Sometimes he looks like a game-wrecker, and other times he vanishes. That won’t work in the NFL. If HC Jonathan Gannon, a defensive coach, can keep him steady and Calais Campbell mentors him, this pick could work out great. There’s some risk though that can’t be completely discounted.
17. Cincinnati Bengals – DE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M: D+
Surprisingly, most of the edge rushers were available for the Bengals to select. They chose the one who averaged 1.5 sacks per season in college. Stewart is an athletic specimen, and there’s no denying his upside. His run defense is already an asset. That said, TAMU coach Mike Elko, a defensive mastermind, couldn’t unlock him. Of all the edge rushers selected in round 1, Stewart has the highest bust probability because his production was nearly nonexistent for the Aggies. Cincinnati definitely picked the right position given the uncertainty with Trey Hendrickson, but they drafted the wrong prospect.
18. Seattle Seahawks – OL Grey Zabel, North Dakota State: A-
Even if a pick isn’t flashy, it can still be right. An offensive lineman who will likely play inside certainly isn’t a headline-grabber. But he’s exactly what Seattle needed. The Seahawks dealt with awful protection last year, and they couldn’t run that ball. I’d argue that their line cost them a shot at the playoffs. Zabel has experience at all 5 line spots, though his physical profile suggests that he’ll play guard or center in the pros. You might argue that this is high for an interior lineman, but the Seahawks tried their best to trade back first. It’s indisputable that Zabel is a good prospect that addresses a need, so the pick earns a high grade.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State: JAMARCUS RUSSELL
I am completely confused. Sure, Mike Evans is getting older, but he’s still really good. Chris Godwin re-signed, and second-year receiver Jalen McMillan came on late last year. The Bucs are loaded at WR, yet they spent their top draft choice on another receiver? This is a shame because I love Egbuka. He’s a crisp route runner with really good hands and plus athleticism. Selecting him at #19 is fine. The team making the pick is where I have the problem. For another team, this was probably a B+. Tampa needed literally any other position more than this one, so there’s only one grade I can give.
20. Denver Broncos – CB Jahdae Barron, Texas: B
The chalk was wrong about this one. Widely projected to select a running back, Denver didn’t even acquire a needed WR with Matthew Golden still available. Instead, they found a pairing for Pat Surtain in the secondary. I don’t really consider this a need, as Riley Moss looked good to me. The Broncos did need more depth at position, but I wouldn’t have spent a first-round pick on it. Barron is worthy of this draft slot though. He’s versatile and has great ball skills. In fact, he might end up being an upgrade over Moss, which would make the selection look much better. Other positions still seemed more necessary to me.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon: A
All the Shedeur Sanders-to-Pittsburgh talk was nothing but media hype. The Steelers clearly weren’t interested because they don’t have a 2nd-rounder to use on him either, meaning that they passed entirely. I love the decision. Their other main need was a DT to play alongside and eventually replace Cam Heyward. The seemingly ageless vet can teach Harmon, who comes with great traits but also some rawness. Proficient as both a rusher and a run defender, Harmon can contribute in packages at first until he fills out his game. In the long run, this could end up being a very fine pick. And Pittsburgh didn’t reach on a QB.
22. Los Angeles Chargers – RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina: C-
Could a pick get much more “Jim Harbaugh”? The ground-and-pound coach seemed to make this pick reluctantly after trying to trade it, and I don’t understand it. Signing Najee Harris doesn’t preclude an RB selection, but given the depth of this class at this position, I wouldn’t have taken one at 22. Hampton isn’t much different from someone like Quinshon Judkins. I also think about who they didn’t take, including WR Matthew Golden (a major need) and CB Will Johnson (a Michigan player). Hampton is a good player, but I hate the value. Los Angeles could’ve done much better with this pick.
23. Green Bay Packers – WR Matthew Golden, Texas: A
I am utterly speechless. For the first time since 2002, the Packers have selected a first-round WR. And they did it in front of their home crowd! I wonder how Aaron Rodgers feels that he could never get one, but Josh Jacobs asks and receives on the first try. Golden comes with blazing speed, but his college production was a bit sporadic. He saved his best for last though, starring in the CFP. I feel obligated to grade this highly simply to give Green Bay some positive reinforcement. They needed a receiver, and they didn’t eschew that need like they usually do. Hopefully the crowd’s thunderous reaction validated their decision.
24. Minnesota Vikings – G Donovan Jackson, Ohio State: B-
If you asked me before the draft started, I would’ve expected Minnesota to trade this pick because they only had 4 total. Assuming that they stayed, I thought they’d be stoked about both of the top safeties being available. Instead, they selected a guard. I’m all for protecting new starting QB JJ McCarthy, even if Jackson was probably a second-round prospect. The issue is who the Vikings passed on, namely, Malaki Starks and Nick Emmanwori. This was a golden opportunity to replace the departed Cam Bynum, but they opted against it. Jackson is a fine player; trading down or filling a bigger need would’ve been ideal though.
25. New York Giants – QB Jaxson Dart, Mississippi: D
As soon as the Giants traded up, with the expectation that they’d take a QB, I was ready to give a Russell grade. Then I saw that the price for moving from 34 to 25 was a pair of third-rounders (one this year and one in 2026). Therefore, I can’t fail New York, but I still don’t like the move. Dart has decent ability, but he’s not an overly impressive athlete, and the Rebels system has not produced any quality NFL QBs. I didn’t have a first- or second-round grade on him, so a trade up wasn’t wise. I suspect that the owner’s mandate to draft a QB made this pick, not the people who should’ve been making it.
26. Atlanta Falcons – DE James Pearce Jr, Tennessee: B
I was stunned to see the Falcons trade back into the first round. It surprised me even more that a 2026 first-round pick was part of the deal. As with the Giants, I expected to bash the Falcons, renewing my seemingly yearly tradition. The cost to move up was horrible. Then I saw the player they chose, and my fury softened a bit. I love Pearce and think his explosiveness could make him the best edge rusher from this class in a year or two. Atlanta needed pass rushers and doubled up to improve at that spot. Those are things I love, but I’m limited in my grade when 2026 first rounders get involved.
27. Baltimore Ravens – S Malaki Starks, Georgia: A+
Please explain to me how this keeps happing. Every year, some touted prospect that experts expect to be taken in the top 15 end up falling into Baltimore’s lap. To their credit, they keep scooping these guys up. The Ravens had a poor pass defense last year until Kyle Hamilton started playing a more traditional safety role. Starks will allow Baltimore to free up Hamilton, restoring him to a defensive mismatch. That alone is good, but Starks himself was the best coverage safety in this class. I had him going 13th overall, so the value is also excellent. There’s a reason certain teams just keep on winning.
28. Detroit Lions – DT Tyleik Williams, Ohio State: C
I admittedly did not have Williams on my radar as a first-round pick. This was one of the bigger reaches in round 1, but I understand why Detroit wanted him. Washington destroyed them in the run game during the divisional playoffs, as defensive injuries doomed the Lions. Williams is already an excellent run defender, though he isn’t yet proficient in the passing game. He’s basically Kenneth Grant-lite. A contender can take this sort of niche pick, but considering teams like the Eagles were trying their hardest to trade up, I would’ve accumulated some more capital in trades before drafting Williams.
29. Washington Commanders – OT Josh Conerly Jr, Oregon: B+
Despite needing an edge rusher, Washington prioritized making sure that second-year QB Jayden Daniels is protected. I can’t fault them for that, even if their trade for Laremy Tunsil made this pick a bit unnecessary. Conerly has excellent upside and can play either tackle spot. Having a bunch of good tackles is a dream problem to have. With a few of the edge rushers falling, the Commanders might be able to address that position a bit later. The tackle group was drying up, so no comparable prospect was going to be on the board in round 2. Even if this wasn’t the optimal pick, it was a good one.
30. Buffalo Bills – CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky: A
I wanted Buffalo to address their defense, but in my final mock, I didn’t have any of the top CBs reaching them. Shockingly, most of them were still available. We’ll have to see why Will Johnson slid out of round 1, because he should’ve been a no-brainer. Assuming there was a valid reason to pass on Johnson, taking a productive player who ran the fastest 40 time at the Combine is completely reasonable. Christian Benford is very good, but the revolving door of players on the opposite side got picked on repeatedly. Hairston, which his strong coverage and ball skills, can make sure that doesn’t happen anymore.
31. Philadelphia Eagles – LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama: A+
Like Baltimore, the Eagles seem to have top prospects waiting for them no matter how late they pick. GM Howie Roseman tried trading up as high as 22 for Campbell but couldn’t strike a deal until the end of the round, ceding a 5th-round pick to the Chiefs to move up 1 spot. That trade is a bit peculiar unless Philly knew that another team was planning to trade in front of them. Putting the swap aside, Campbell is one of the draft’s best prospects. A couple of injuries and his position knocked him down, but he’s great in coverage, against the run, and as a rusher. He’s a complete player who had no business still being available.
32. Kansas City Chiefs – OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State: B+
Even when the Chiefs DON’T win the Super Bowl, they find a way to pick at #32! I love that they scooped up a day-3 pick to move down just 1 spot yet still got the player they wanted. That player is a risk. If healthy, Simmons might have been the first tackle off the board. He’s coming off a torn patellar tendon though, which I consider one of the worst injuries in sports (especially for a big man). His skill and athleticism are not in question; only his recovery could prevent him from being a really good tackle. Given that KC’s line cost them a ring, gambling on a player like this could pay off in a big way.