BAL | BUF | CIN | CLE | DEN | HOU | IND | JAX | KC | LV | LAC | MIA | NE | NYJ | PIT | TEN
Baltimore Ravens
1 (27). Georgia S Malaki Starks
2 (59). Marshall EDGE Mike Green
3 (91). LSU OT Emery Jones
4 (129). California LB Teddye Buchanan
5 (141). Alabama A&M OT Carson Vinson
6 (178). Western Michigan CB Bilhal Kone
6 (186). Arizona K Tyler Loop
6 (203). Colorado WR LaJohntay Wester
6 (210). Virginia Tech DT Aeneas Peebles
6 (212). Rutgers CB Robert Longerbeam
7 (243). LSU OG Garrett Dellinger
Overview: Teaming Starks with Kyle Hamilton, Nate Wiggins, Marlon Humphrey, and Ar’Darius Washington can give Baltimore the most dynamic secondary it’s fielded in years. A first-round talent, Green fell due to severe off-field concerns, but the Ravens can bet on their long-established culture to maximize his skill set at a glaring need spot. A three-year starter at right tackle for LSU, Jones offers the requisite athleticism and length to stay protecting the edge in the pros. Buchanan is a freak athlete at off-ball linebacker who should at very least provide early-career special teams value. This wasn’t a flashy haul, but GM Eric DeCosta swung for upside early and supplemented the back end of his roster late.
Grade: B-
Buffalo Bills
1 (30). Kentucky CB Maxwell Hairston
2 (41). South Carolina DT T.J. Sanders
3 (72). Arkansas EDGE Landon Jackson
4 (109). Kentucky DT Deone Walker
5 (170). Ohio State CB Jordan Hancock
5 (173). Georgia Tech TE Jackson Hawes
6 (177). Virginia Tech CB Dorian Strong
6 (206). Connecticut OT Chase Lundt
7 (240). Maryland WR Kaden Prather
Overview: Hairston and Jackson were value board darlings; Hairston was commonly mocked in the early 20s, while many believed Jackson could sneak into Round 1. A 4.28 boundary burner, Hairston will give HC Sean McDermott more opportunities to play man coverage opposite Christian Benford. Jackson is insurance on one-year reclamation signing Joey Bosa. Sanders profiles as a high-floor if questionable-ceiling rotational option on the interior. An early-round talent with incredible size (6-foot-7/331), Walker lasted until Day 3 due to frustratingly inconsistent tape. He’s a boom-or-bust type. Strong is an underrated zone corner prospect. I docked Buffalo’s grade for missing on their 2024 trade for Amari Cooper, which cost them this year’s 94th overall pick. I was also very disappointed that GM Brandon Beane didn’t prioritize upgrading Josh Allen’s pedestrian wide receiver corps.
Grade: C-
Cincinnati Bengals
1 (17). Texas A&M EDGE Shemar Stewart
2 (49). South Carolina LB Demetrius Knight
3 (81). Georgia OG Dylan Fairchild
4 (119). Clemson LB Barrett Carter
5 (153). Miami (FL) OT Jalen Rivers
6 (193). Texas Tech RB Tahj Brooks
Overview: It’s no secret that Cincinnati entered this draft starved for defensive talent, but I wasn’t thrilled with either of their first two investments. Stewart’s sack production was severely lacking at A&M, and questions regarding his football character circulated throughout the pre-draft phase. Knight will be 25.5 years old when his rookie season begins. By far, my favorite Bengals pick was interior mauler Fairchild, who can solidify a longtime weakness at left guard. Brooks was a prolific college tackle breaker and could make Zack Moss irrelevant soon. I’m just not convinced the Bengals got meaningfully better with this group.
Grade: D+
Cleveland Browns
1 (5). Michigan DT Mason Graham
2 (33). UCLA LB Carson Schwesinger
2 (36). Ohio State RB Quinshon Judkins
3 (67). Bowling Green TE Harold Fannin Jr.
3 (94). Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel
4 (126). Tennessee RB Dylan Sampson
5 (144). Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders
Overview: Although passing on Travis Hunter had to be painful internally, Cleveland scored points for prying a 2026 first-round pick from Jacksonville to drop from No. 2 to No. 5 and still land a player they graded exceptionally highly in Graham. I was surprised to watch such a historically analytics-minded organization use three of its next five picks on an off-ball linebacker and two running backs, although I’m a fan individually of all three players. Fannin will be irrelevant initially, although David Njoku can become a free agent in 2026. The Browns used No. 94, which they got last October for Amari Cooper, on undersized Gabriel, who’s drawn comparisons to a poor man’s Russell Wilson. Sanders has a big name but a backup-caliber game, so I’m not giving the Browns any extra credit for drafting him in what was obviously an owner-driven move. I usually like the Browns’ drafts. Not this year.
Grade: D
Denver Broncos
1 (20). Texas CB Jahdae Barron
2 (60). Central Florida RB R.J. Harvey
3 (74). Illinois WR Pat Bryant
3 (101). LSU EDGE Sai’vion Jones
4 (134). Alabama EDGE Que Robinson
6 (216). Florida P Jeremy Crawshaw
7 (241). Utah TE Caleb Lohner
Overview: Although corner was in no way perceived as a Broncos need, I absolutely love the value and profile of Barron, a Brian Branch clone who won 2024’s Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back. DC Vance Joseph’s defense is beyond loaded. Harvey was a big favorite of the film community even before he banked an elite athleticism score at the NFL Combine in February. I can totally see HC Sean Payton likening Harvey to Alvin Kamara. Payton has a knack for maximizing wide receivers, but I couldn’t find anyone who thought Bryant would go on Day 2. Jones fits the Joseph profile as a plus-sized, angular edge who plays with max effort. Robinson looks like a special teamer. I think Payton and GM George Paton did a commendable job of prioritizing premium positions and addressing needs.
Grade: B
Houston Texans
2 (34). Iowa State WR Jayden Higgins
2 (48). Minnesota OT Aireontae Ersery
3 (79). Iowa State WR Jaylin Noel
3 (97). USC CB Jaylin Smith
4 (116). USC RB Woody Marks
6 (187). Penn State S Jaylen Reed
6 (197). Florida QB Graham Mertz
7 (224). Rutgers DT Kyonte Hamilton
7 (255). Iowa TE Luke Lachey
Overview: Everyone and their mother pegged the Texans for first-round offensive linemen, but GM Nick Caserio adroitly traded down when all the top-graded OLs went before him at No. 25. There, Caserio took advantage of a quarterback-desperate Giants team, who sent Houston a top-100 pick and (likely early) 2026 third-rounder to climb nine spots for Jaxson Dart. At 6-foot-4, 214 with long arms and 4.47 speed, Higgins gives the Texans twin towers opposite Nico Collins with Christian Kirk in the slot. Caserio got his O-Lineman in Ersery, who generated some first-round buzz late in the pre-draft phase. Higgins’ running mate with the Cyclones, Noel is a scintillating athlete whose addition signals that we won’t be seeing much or any of Tank Dell in 2025. This Texans regime has been great at drafting DBs, so I trust Smith and Reed are worthwhile stabs. Following Thursday’s trade down and the Laremy Tunsil deal, the Texans will have extra second-, third-, and fourth-round picks in next year’s draft. I like the way this front office continues to build for the present and future.
Grade: B+
Indianapolis Colts
1 (14). Penn State TE Tyler Warren
2 (45). Ohio State EDGE J.T. Tuimoloau
3 (80). Minnesota CB Justin Walley
4 (127). Iowa State OT Jalen Travis
5 (151). Kansas State RB D.J. Giddens
6 (189). Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard
6 (190). Alabama DT Tim Smith
7 (232). Wisconsin S Hunter Wohler
Overview: No team in football entered the offseason with a more glaring tight end need than Indianapolis, so the Mackey Award winner falling into GM Chris Ballard’s lap at 14 was a match made in heaven. An immensely productive edge rusher at the highest level of college ball, Tuimoloau earned first-team Big Ten in each of his final three years and draws raves for his run defense. He should be an early-impact player on an increasingly stacked Colts defensive front. Walley’s future may be at slot corner, where incumbent Kenny Moore took a step back last season. Travis is a gargantuan tackle prospect at 6-foot-8, 340 with nearly 35-inch arms. Speedy space back Giddens is a picturesque stylistic complement to Jonathan Taylor. I think the Colts should try Leonard as a flex tight end or H-back; his movement skills can be electric. I’d be very pleased with this haul if I were a Colts fan.
Grade: B+
Jacksonville Jaguars
1 (2). Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter
3 (88). Tulane CB Caleb Ransaw
3 (89). West Virginia OT Wyatt Milum
4 (104). Virginia Tech RB Bhayshul Tuten
4 (104). Notre Dame LB Jack Kiser
6 (194). Auburn LB Jalen Mcleod
6 (200). Navy S Rayaun Lane
7 (221). USC C Jonah Monheim
7 (236). Syracuse RB LeQuint Allen
Overview: Climbing three spots for Hunter essentially cost rookie GM James Gladstone a 2025 second-rounder and 2026 first-rounder, but I believe it was a worthy gamble to usher in a new era of Jaguars football. Hunter was clearly the best prospect and athlete in this draft. On Day 2, the Jags landed two 2026 third-round picks in a deal to move down in Round 3 with Detroit. Ransaw’s Combine measurables were those of a high-end perimeter corner, but scouts were divided on his NFL fit, some pegging him to the slot and others at safety. Milum is a tweener with a tackle frame (6-foot-7/313) but 32-inch arms. Tuten is a fun player but does little to definitively upgrade on Tank Bigsby and Travis Etienne. Kiser is a team captain type and high-production tackler who plays a non-premium role. I loved Gladstone’s boldness up top but wonder if his roster got a whole lot better elsewhere.
Grade: C+
Kansas City Chiefs
1 (32). Ohio State OT Josh Simmons
2 (63). Tennessee DT Omarr Norman-Lott
3 (66). Louisville EDGE Ashton Gillotte
3 (85). California CB Nohl Williams
4 (133). Utah State WR Jalen Royals
5 (156). Oregon LB Jeffrey Bassa
7 (228). Southern Methodist RB Brashard Smith
Overview: The Chiefs started their draft by acquiring a fifth-round pick in an innocuous trade with Philadelphia to move down one spot and still get their guy. Arguably the most talented offensive lineman in a strong O-Line draft, Simmons might have gone top 10 if not for last year’s torn patellar tendon. He’ll be brought along appropriately slowly behind Jaylon Moore and Jawaan Taylor in K.C. A surprise second-rounder, Norman-Lott is an undersized gap shooter who came off the bench throughout college. Short on production and not overwhelmingly athletic, Gillotte was another surprise top-70 selection. He’s the player the Chiefs took with the pick they acquired for L’Jarius Sneed. Kansas City was clearly smitten with Williams, sending the Patriots a 2026 fourth-round pick to climb 10 spots for the Cal corner in Round 3. Royals is an explosive, versatile weapon with 4.42 jets at 6-foot, 205. I’m excited to see how HC Andy Reid uses him. Ultimately, I found this to be a draft haul I didn’t love, even after the Chiefs hit a potential home run in Simmons.
Grade: C-
Las Vegas Raiders
1 (6). Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty
2 (58). TCU WR Jack Bech
3 (68). Iowa State CB Darien Porter
3 (98). Texas Tech OG Caleb Rodgers
3 (99). William & Mary OT Charles Grant
4 (108). Tennessee WR Dont’e Thornton
4 (135). South Carolina DT Tonka Hemingway
6 (180). Ole Miss DT J.J. Pegues
6 (213). Montana State QB/WR Tommy Mellott
6 (215). North Dakota State QB Cam Miller
7 (222). Minnesota LB Cody Lindenberg
Overview: Geno Smith is part of this haul after the Raiders acquired him from Seattle for the 92nd overall pick. One of a handful of genuinely blue-chip prospects in this otherwise underwhelming draft, Jeanty was a no-brainer pick for a team now headed by Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly. They’ll make 100% sure the Maurice Jones-Drew clone is the engine of their Day 1 offense. Evaluations were all over the map on Bech, who stretched the field at TCU but may max out as a short to intermediate option in the pros. Porter fits the Carroll corner mold at 6-foot-3, 195 with 33+ inch arms and blazed a 4.3 forty in Indy. On Day 2, I loved seeing the Raiders pick up additional third-rounders (Nos. 98 and 99) in largely low-impact trades down with the Dolphins and Texans. Grant was a pre-draft favorite of many offensive line evaluators I trust. Hemingway and Pegues give Las Vegas much-needed youthful credibility along an otherwise stale defensive interior behind Christian Wilkins. Ultimately, I was impressed with John Spytek’s first draft as GM and believe Vegas could emerge from this year’s event with a bevy of starters, most obviously Geno and Jeanty.
Grade: A-
Los Angeles Chargers
1 (22). North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton
2 (55). Ole Miss WR Tre Harris
3 (86). Oregon DT Jamaree Caldwell
4 (125). South Carolina EDGE Kyle Kennard
5 (158). Auburn WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith
5 (165). Syracuse TE Oronde Gadsden
6 (199). Pittsburgh OT Branson Taylor
6 (214). Syracuse S R.J. Mickens
7 (256). Florida CB Trikweze Bridges
Overview: Albeit at a technically non-premium position, Hampton provides a big talent upgrade on Najee Harris for a Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman offense that will unfailingly run the ball with volume. Hampton was a high-efficiency workhorse at UNC. Harris will be given every opportunity to win the Bolts’ first-team X receiver job with Ladd McConkey inside. At 6-foot-2, 332, Caldwell is built like a fire-hydrant nose tackle but delivered more college sack production than you might think. Kennard earned 2024’s SEC Defensive Player of the Year and the Bronco Nagurski Award as the nation’s top defender. On production alone, he was robbery in the fourth round. Lambert-Smith is a deep threat for an offense that needs one after averaging 19.6 yards per reception in 2024 and blazing 4.37 in Indy. All told, I found this to be a rock-solid haul with some potential for the spectacular.
Grade: A-
Miami Dolphins
1 (13). Michigan DT Kenneth Grant
2 (37). Arizona OT Jonah Savaiinaea
5 (143). Maryland DT Jordan Phillips
5 (150). Florida CB Jason Marshall
5 (155). Maryland S Dante Trader
6 (179). Oklahoma State RB Ollie Gordon II
7 (231). Texas QB Quinn Ewers
7 (253). Georgia Tech DT Zeek Biggers
Overview: After arguably reaching for heavy-footed run-plugger Grant in the top 15, the Dolphins made a hyper-aggressive move up for Savaiinaea in an 11-spot second-round climb that cost Miami a top-100 pick. The Fins will be counting on Savaiinaea to start at one of their guard spots right away. Phillips didn’t record a single sack in his 28-game college career. Gordon runs 4.61 entering a Mike McDaniel offense that strongly emphasizes speed at all skill positions. I’m worried about McDaniel and GM Chris Grier losing their jobs soon.
Grade: D
New England Patriots
1 (4). LSU OT Will Campbell
2 (38). Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson
3 (69). Washington State WR Kyle Williams
3 (95). Georgia C Jared Wilson
4 (106). California S Craig Woodson
4 (137). Florida State DT Josh Farmer
5 (146). LSU EDGE Bradyn Swinson
6 (182). Miami (FL) K Andres Borregales
7 (220). Missouri OT Marcus Bryant
7 (251). Vanderbilt LS Julian Ashby
7 (257). Memphis CB Kobee Minor
Overview: The Patriots started this draft hot, landing college ball’s best offensive lineman with their first pick, Ohio State game breaker Henderson near the top of Round 2, 4.4-flat separator Williams in Round 3, and potential center of the future Wilson late on Day 2. New England also scored a point for adding a 2026 fourth-round pick by dropping from No. 85 to 95 in a third-round deal with K.C. Woodson was an on-ball playmaker in college and addressed speed concerns by running 4.45 at 6-foot, 200 in Indy. The Pats have rebuilt an imposing defense and emerged from this draft with big-time help for Drake Maye. It’s a win.
Grade: A
New York Jets
1 (7). Missouri OT Armand Membou
2 (42). LSU TE Mason Taylor
3 (73). Florida State CB Azareye’h Thomas
4 (110). Georgia WR Arian Smith
4 (130). Alabama S Malachi Moore
5 (162). Miami (FL) LB Francisco Mauigoa
5 (176). Miami (FL) EDGE Tyler Baron
Overview: Pairing Membou with 2024 first-rounder Olu Fashanu gives Gang Green a real chance to field the NFL’s best young tackle tandem for the next five-plus years. A legit two-way tight end with plus receiving and blocking skills, Taylor should emerge as an every-down player sooner than later for the tight end-poor Jets. First-year HC Aaron Glenn strongly believes in man coverage, which is third-rounder Thomas’ forte. Smith blazed 4.36 at 6-foot, 179 in Indy. He profiles as a situational deep threat. Moore has extensive experience at both safety spots and slot corner at the highest level of college ball. I’m in the camp that believes first-year GM Darren Mougey knocked this draft out of the park.
Grade: A
Pittsburgh Steelers
1 (21). Oregon DT Derrick Harmon
3 (83). Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson
4 (123). Ohio State EDGE Jack Sawyer
5 (164). Iowa DT Yahya Black
6 (185). Ohio State QB Will Howard
7 (226). Washington LB Carson Bruener
7 (229). Central Michigan CB Donte Kent
Overview: DK Metcalf is part of this haul after Pittsburgh acquired him for the 52nd pick. At 6-foot-5, 313 with power and length, Harmon is an obvious Steelers match as Cameron Heyward enters his age-36 season. Johnson suits OC Arthur Smith’s outside-zone running scheme, offering legitimate bellcow potential ahead of space back Jaylen Warren. Sawyer is a through-and-through Steeler with a non-stop motor and productive résumé. Black is a massive interior presence at 6-foot-6, 336 with 35-inch arms. Howard checks boxes for size (6-foot-4/236) and downfield passing potential. I think this was a solid, nuts-and-bolts draft.
Grade: B
Tennessee Titans
1 (1). Miami (FL) QB Cam Ward
2 (52). UCLA EDGE Oluwafemi Oladejo
3 (82). Penn State S Kevin Winston
4 (103). Florida WR Chimere Dike
4 (120). Texas TE Gunnar Helm
4 (136). Stanford WR Elic Ayomanor
5 (167). Sacramento State OG Jackson Slater
6 (183). California CB Marcus Harris
6 (188). Michigan RB Kalel Mullings
Overview: Tennessee taking Ward No. 1 became a formality early in the process. In a deal with Seattle, GM Mike Borgonzi turned the No. 35 overall pick into Oladejo and Winston. A converted off-ball linebacker, Oladejo is a work in progress on the edge. Winston is a plus-sized, tone-setting safety who would’ve been drafted higher had he not torn his right ACL last September. At 6-foot-1, 196, Dike runs like the wind (4.34) and averaged 18.2 yards per reception over his final two college seasons. I appreciated Borgonzi taking relentless stabs on pass catchers, most specifically Ayomanor, who gave Travis Hunter fits when they faced off in college. Even Helm profiles as a quality pro with sure hands and blocking willingness.
Grade: B-
