ARI | ATL | CAR | CHI | DAL | DET | GB | LAR | MIN | NO | NYG | PHI | SF | SEA | TB | WAS
Arizona Cardinals
1 (16). Ole Miss DT Walter Nolen
2 (47). Michigan CB Will Johnson
3 (78). Oregon EDGE Jordan Burch
4 (115). Ohio State LB Cody Simon
5 (174). Ohio State CB Denzel Burke
6 (211). Texas OG Hayden Conner
7 (225). Nevada S Kitan Crawford
Overview: Jonathan Gannon has fielded a talent-maximizing defensive scheme in his two years as head coach, yet Arizona’s defensive talent has been bottom five in the league. That’s why the Cardinals investing six of their seven picks into defense here injects life into Arizona’s defensive outlook. Nolen is a play-wrecking demon whose motor runs white hot. Johnson might have been a top-10 pick if not for medical concerns. Burch tallied 8.5 sacks in 10 games as a senior. Simon and Burke were mainstay starters for the national-champion Buckeyes in 2024. I’m continuing to bet on Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort.
Grade: B
Atlanta Falcons
1 (15). Georgia DE/LB Jalon Walker
1 (26). Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr.
3 (96). Notre Dame S Xavier Watts
4 (118). Oklahoma S Billy Bowman
7 (218). Wisconsin OT Jack Nelson
Overview: Off the bat, the Falcons’ draft grade gets penalized for sending this year’s No. 77 pick to New England for Matthew Judon, who is currently a free agent. The Falcons dealt their 2026 first-round pick to the Rams to move up for Pearce, a boom-bust EDGE prospect with character concerns. GM Terry Fontenot also sent a 2026 fifth-rounder to Philadelphia to move up five spots late in the third round for Watts. Bowman is an on-ball playmaker with 4.42 speed, but back-to-back safety picks were surprising and confusing for a team with star Jessie Bates already locked into centerfield. Everything will be fine if Michael Penix Jr. pans out, but I remain thoroughly unimpressed with Fontenot’s drafting track record.
Grade: D-
Carolina Panthers
1 (8). Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan
2 (51). Texas A&M EDGE Nic Scourton
3 (77). Ole Miss EDGE Princely Umanmielen
4 (114). Georgia RB Trevor Etienne
4 (122). Ohio State S Lathan Ransom
5 (140). Florida DT Cam Jackson
5 (163). Notre Dame TE Mitchell Evans
6 (208). Colorado WR Jimmy Horn Jr.
Overview: Albeit surprising relative to pre-draft mocks, the Panthers using the eighth overall pick on 6-foot-4 ball winner McMillan makes a ton of sense as GM Dan Morgan continues to put pieces around Bryce Young. McMillan offers true alpha-receiver traits. Scourton generated late first-round draft buzz as a legitimate three-down edge prospect who dominated in both the Big Ten (Purdue) and SEC (Texas A&M). The Panthers traded up for Umanmielen, sending New England a fifth-round pick to jump eight spots in Round 3. Carolina used the fourth-rounder it received from Dallas for Jonathan Mingo on Etienne, an undersized but bursty space back who will complement Chuba Hubbard. (Jonathon Brooks probably isn’t playing any time soon.) Ransom was an All-American safety for the national-champion Buckeyes. Jackson is an obscenely large human at 6-foot-6, 328. Evans is an intriguing Day 3 sleeper after injuries derailed a once-promising college career. I love what Carolina did with this haul and think they’re going to score a lot of points in 2025.
Grade: A
Chicago Bears
1 (10). Michigan TE Colston Loveland
2 (39). Missouri WR Luther Burden III
2 (56). Boston College OT Ozzy Trapilo
2 (62). Texas A&M DT Shemar Turner
4 (132). Maryland LB Ruben Hyppolite
5 (169). UT-San Antonio CB Zah Frazier
6 (195). Michigan State OG Luke Newman
7 (233). Rutgers RB Kyle Monangai
Overview: Rotational EDGE Darrell Taylor and RG Jonah Jackson are parts of this haul after the Bears traded draft pick Nos. 185 and 202 to acquire them. Loveland going ahead of Tyler Warren was a mild surprise, but I get it. Chicago was targeting a more dynamic seam stretcher, and Loveland fits the bill at 6-foot-6 with sure hands and three-level athleticism. The Bears have drawn criticism in some circles for the Burden pick, but he was a top-two receiver for me in this draft, and I can envision HC Ben Johnson using him like Jameson Williams. 6-foot-8 Trapilo made starts at both tackle spots at B.C. and should push Braxton Jones for playing time right away. Three-technique defensive tackle was an underrated need in Chicago; Turner fits the bill as a violent athlete inside. Hyppolite is an undersized run-and-hit off-ball linebacker. Frazier is a raw project with length and natural ball skills. The Bears’ roster got a lot better with this draft, on paper. They need to start getting results.
Grade: B
Dallas Cowboys
1 (12). Alabama OG Tyler Booker
2 (44). Boston College EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku
3 (76). East Carolina CB Shavon Revel
5 (149). Texas RB Jaydon Blue
5 (152). Florida LB Shemar James
6 (204). Oregon OT Ajani Cornelius
7 (217). UCLA DT Jay Toia
7 (239). Clemson RB Phil Mafah
7 (247). Maryland DT Tommy Akingbesote
Overview: The Cowboys entered this draft missing fourth- and fifth-round picks due to trades for Jonathan Mingo and Joe Milton, neither of whom is likely to make a significant contribution. Still annually an impressive drafting team, I did love each of Dallas’ first four selections. Plug-and-play RG Booker solidifies one of the league’s best young O-Lines. Ezeiruaku nailed a need following DeMarcus Lawrence’s departure and was a huge value in the middle of Round 2. Revel might’ve gone in the first round if not for last September’s ACL tear. Blue was a touchdown machine at Texas last season, hitting paydirt 14 times on 176 touches. I wouldn’t sleep on Blue’s chances of emerging as Dallas’ main back as a rookie. At very least, I think the Cowboys got three early-career starters from this haul.
Grade: B+
Detroit Lions
1 (28). Ohio State DT Tyleik Williams
2 (57). Georgia OG Tate Ratledge
3 (70). Arkansas WR Isaac TeSlaa
5 (171). LSU OG Miles Frazier
6 (196). Boise State EDGE Ahmed Hassanein
7 (230). Georgia S Dan Jackson
7 (244). Georgia WR Dominic Lovett
Overview: The Lions have earned a reputation for drafting against consensus, and this year was no different. A 6-foot-3, 334-pound space eater, Williams appeared in zero pre-draft first-round mocks. Detroit drafted guards with two of its next three picks. To move up for TeSlaa, the Lions sent the Jaguars two third-round selections in 2026’s draft. TeSlaa tested as a superlative athlete at 6-foot-4, 214 but had minimal production in two seasons as a Razorback. I did like the sixth-round stab on Hassanein, the NFL’s first-ever Egyptian player who racked up 22 sacks over the last two seasons at Boise State. Although their on-field results have been terrific under GM Brad Holmes and HC Dan Campbell, the Lions are destined to never receive positive draft grades because of their approach to the event.
Grade: D+
Green Bay Packers
1 (23). Texas WR Matthew Golden
2 (54). North Carolina State OT Anthony Belton
3 (87). TCU WR Savion Williams
4 (124). Texas EDGE Barryn Sorrell
5 (159). Oklahoma State EDGE Collin Oliver
6 (198). Georgia DT Warren Brinson
7 (237). Tulane CB Micah Robinson
7 (250). Cincinnati OT John Williams
Overview: The wideout-needy Packers ended their organizational two-decades-plus streak of ignoring first-round receivers by selecting Golden, a polarizing prospect with mediocre production and a disputed 4.29 forty time. A power player at 6-foot-6, 335, Belton played left tackle for the Wolfpack. His NFL position is to be determined. Williams is a height-weight-speed gamble with subpar ball skills. Sorrell profiles as a high-floor, low-ceiling rotational edge rusher. This is very much a time-will-tell draft, making it tough to grade.
Grade: C
Los Angeles Rams
2 (46). Oregon TE Terrance Ferguson
3 (90). Michigan EDGE Josaiah Stewart
4 (117). Auburn RB Jarquez Hunter
5 (148). Ohio State DT Ty Hamilton
5 (172). Ole Miss LB Chris Paul Jr.
7 (242). Pittsburgh WR Konata Mumpfield
Overview: The Rams began their draft by trading down with the irresponsible Falcons, who sent L.A. their 2026 first-round pick. A top-tier athlete who set several records for receiving production at Oregon, Ferguson can add a new dimension to HC Sean McVay’s passing attack. Stewart supplements one of the best young defensive fronts in the league. A big-play runner with 4.44 speed, Hunter’s selection calls into question 2024 third-round pick Blake Corum’s role on the team. Paul is an undersized but rangy off-ball ‘backer with elite college production. Rams drafts under GM Les Snead have tended to consistently exceed expectations. This one doesn’t look outstanding on paper but offers intriguing upside.
Grade: B-
Minnesota Vikings
1 (24). Ohio State OG Donovan Jackson
3 (102). Maryland WR Tai Felton
5 (139). Georgia DT Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
6 (201). Penn State LB Kobe King
6 (202). Pittsburgh TE Gavin Bartholomew
Overview: The Vikings were missing much of their 2025 draft due to 2024’s trade up for Dallas Turner and this year’s deal for RB Jordan Mason. GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah nevertheless largely sat tight, first completing his full-on rebuild of Minnesota’s interior offensive line by drafting power pig Jackson at No. 24. He previously signed C Ryan Kelly and RG Will Fries in free agency. Felton is a pencil-thin (6-foot-1/183) 4.37 speedster who caught 96 balls in 12 games for 2024’s Terrapins. Ingram-Dawkins is an oddly-built defensive line tweener at 6-foot-5, 276. The Vikings were never going to get a high draft grade because of the hand they dealt themselves, but I’ve become a supporter of their offseason approach.
Grade: C-
New Orleans Saints
1 (9). Texas T/G Kelvin Banks Jr.
2 (40). Louisville QB Tyler Shough
3 (71). Texas DT Vernon Broughton
3 (93). Virginia S Jonas Sanker
4 (112). Oklahoma LB Danny Stutsman
4 (131). Louisville CB Quincy Riley
6 (184). Kansas RB Devin Neal
7 (248). UCLA TE Moliki Matavao
7 (254). Syracuse EDGE Fadil Diggs
Overview: The Saints entered this draft with two extra picks (Nos. 93 and 131) after dealing Marshon Lattimore to Washington. (Lattimore looked washed in D.C.) Banks could start at left guard OR left tackle right away depending on training camp. In an ideal world, I think Banks would occupy the blind side and kick 2024 first-rounder Taliese Fuaga to his natural right tackle spot, sending Trevor Penning to the bench. The Saints were known to be high on Shough throughout the process and had to be somewhat thrilled he lasted to them at No. 40. If Derek Carr’s shoulder injury is really a thing, we could see Shough make double-digit starts as a rookie. Ultimately, I think New Orleans would be pleased to lose a ton of games in 2025 and draft Arch Manning in 2026. This organization has embarked on a full reset.
Grade: C+
New York Giants
1 (3). Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter
1 (25). Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart
3 (65). Toledo DT Darius Alexander
4 (105). Arizona State RB Cam Skattebo
5 (154). Purdue OT Marcus Mbow
7 (219). Nebraska TE Thomas Fidone
7 (246). Oklahoma State CB Korie Black
Overview: Carter was a no-brainer pick at No. 3. The Giants’ draft got interesting late in the first round, when they sent 2025 and 2026 third-round picks to the Texans to climb nine slots for Dart, an athletic but modest-armed prospect coming from a gimmicky college offense. I’m betting strongly against Dart saving hot-seat GM Joe Schoen and HC Brian Daboll’s jobs as a rookie. Alexander profiles as a high-end No. 3 or low-end No. 2 defensive tackle. Versatile grinder Skattebo should render Devin Singletary irrelevant and perfectly complements Tyrone Tracy Jr. In all likelihood, Dart will be inherited by a new regime in 2026 and be forced to learn a new system under shot callers who didn’t draft him. I think this is a disastrous situation and expect the Giants’ organization to continue to circle the drain.
Grade: D-
Philadelphia Eagles
1 (31). Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell
2 (64). Texas S Andrew Mukuba
4 (111). Nebraska DT Ty Robinson
5 (145). Central Florida CB Mac McWilliams
5 (161). Georgia LB Smael Mondon
5 (168). Boston College C Drew Kendall
6 (181). Syracuse QB Kyle McCord
6 (191). Michigan OT Myles Hinton
6 (207). Texas OT Cameron Williams
6 (209). Virginia Tech EDGE Antwaun Powell-Ryland
Overview: Obviously smitten with Campbell, GM Howie Roseman coughed up a fifth-round pick in a deal with Kansas City to climb just one spot for the three-down Alabama ‘backer. Mukuba is a smallish safety at 5-foot-11, 186 but runs 4.45 and was a versatile ballhawk with experience at cornerback in college. Roseman picked up a 2026 fifth-rounder from Atlanta in a swap that cost Philly dropping just five slots in Friday’s third round. Among defensive tackles, Robinson posted a top-five athleticism score at the Combine after racking up seven sacks in his senior year. Kendall is the son of longtime NFL center/guard Pete Kendall. Roseman annually outsmarts his GM competition across the league. I’m not sure he did so this year but think he came away with a pretty good group.
Grade: B-
San Francisco 49ers
1 (11). Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams
2 (43). Texas DT Alfred Collins
3 (75). Oklahoma State LB Nick Martin
3 (100). Western Kentucky CB Upton Stout
4 (113). Indiana DT C.J. West
4 (138). Ole Miss WR Jordan Watkins
5 (147). Oregon RB Jordan James
5 (160). Kansas State S Marques Sigle
7 (227). Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke
7 (249). Iowa OG Connor Colby
7 (252). Montana State WR Junior Bergen
Overview: San Francisco’s once-incomparable defensive line depth has deteriorated in recent years, so HC Kyle Shanahan and GM John Lynch aggressively replenished it; four of the 49ers’ first five picks play in the defensive front seven. I was surprised San Francisco didn’t do more to address numerous O-Line question marks. Stout is a tiny (5-foot-8/181) corner who will almost certainly have to convert from boundary to the slot. The Niners used the pick they acquired for Deebo Samuel on James, an average talent who probably won’t upgrade on Isaac Guerendo behind Christian McCaffrey. I like that San Francisco hammered its defensive front weakness but wasn’t taken aback by this haul as a whole.
Grade: C-
Seattle Seahawks
1 (18). North Dakota State OG Grey Zabel
2 (35). South Carolina S Nick Emmanwori
2 (50). Miami (FL) TE Elijah Arroyo
3 (92). Alabama QB Jalen Milroe
5 (142). Notre Dame DT Rylie Mills
5 (166). Colorado State WR Tory Horton
5 (175). Alabama TE Robbie Ouzts
6 (192). Kansas OG Bryce Cabeldue
7 (223). Miami (FL) RB Damien Martinez
7 (234). Iowa OT Mason Richman
7 (238). UNLV WR Ricky White
Overview: Seattle addressed an enormous need with its first-round pick, landing Senior Bowl standout Zabel to solve left guard. Freakshow athlete Emmanwori is an exciting fit for HC Mike Macdonald’s defense, which featured similar talent Kyle Hamilton in Baltimore. Arroyo’s addition should allow Seattle to move on from overpaid Noah Fant. Since Sam Darnold is no guarantee to establish himself as the Seahawks’ long-term starter, their third-round flier on dual-threat Milroe made a ton of sense. Mills is functional at almost any spot on the defensive line. Every-down LB Ernest Jones is part of this haul after the Seahawks acquired him from Tennessee for a fourth-round pick and LB Jerome Baker. Jones was a difference-maker for last year’s unit. Ultimately, I think this class was a big win for Seattle.
Grade: A
Tampa Bay Bucs
1 (19). Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka
2 (53). Notre Dame CB Benjamin Morrison
3 (84). Kansas State CB Jacob Parrish
4 (121). Central Arkansas EDGE David Walker
5 (157). Southern Methodist EDGE Elijah Roberts
7 (235). Oregon WR Tez Johnson
Overview: While I have little doubt Egbuka will be a quality NFL player, seeing him drafted by a Bucs team with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Jalen McMillan already rostered made Egbuka’s selection one of Round 1’s biggest surprises. A first-round talent when healthy, Morrison was a worthwhile gamble near the end of Round 2 after missing most of his final college season due to hip surgery. The Bucs are betting on a sensational athlete in Parrish, who ran 4.35 with a 10-foot-9 broad jump in Indy. EDGE was probably Tampa Bay’s biggest need entering the draft, so it was surprising that GM Jason Licht didn’t address it early. Instead, he took back-to-back Day 3 stabs on small-school outside rushers. This haul was too awkward to assign a strong grade, but I understand that it has decent potential.
Grade: C-
Washington Commanders
1 (29). Oregon OT Josh Conerly Jr.
2 (61). Ole Miss CB Trey Amos
4 (128). Virginia Tech WR Jaylin Lane
6 (205). UCLA LB Kain Medrano
7 (245). Arizona RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Overview: Washington’s draft was limited to begin with after GM Adam Peters dealt third- and seventh-rounders plus 2026 second- and fourth-round picks to Houston for Laremy Tunsil. The Commanders also moved third- and fourth-rounders to New Orleans for Marshon Lattimore, and sent No. 147 to San Francisco for Deebo Samuel. I expect Washington to start Conerly at right tackle opposite Tunsil with Brandon Coleman kicking to guard. Assuming Amos works out, that pick upgrades two positions in the secondary by allowing Mike Sainristil to move to slot corner, his natural position. Lane is a 4.34 blazer at 5-foot-10, 191 who dominated on punt returns throughout college. The Commanders are closer to Super Bowl contention than anyone thought they’d be so early in the new regime, and they’re acting like it. I fully appreciate what they’re doing with their draft capital.
Grade: B
