Grading the 2025 First Round Picks

The 1st Round of the NFL Draft has been concluded! There were surprise trades and exciting picks galore! These are just some quick thoughts of mine immediately following the conclusion of the first round. Please comment some of your favorite picks of the first round and how you feel about who your team picked!

1. Tennesse Titans - Cam Ward, QB: A-

While Ward maybe isn't the absolute best #1 prospect in recent years, he has star upside and the Titans secure what they hope to be the Quarterback of the future! Now time to get him some real weapons (Luther Burden). 

2. Jacksonville Jaguars - Travis Hunter, WR/CB: A+

The Jaguars new regime made a big splash and got a generational talent to excite the fans in Duval! And the haul they traded away was nothing outrageous at all.

3. New York Giants - Abdul Carter, EDGE: A

Simple case of BPA. Carter, Thibodeaux, and Dexter Lawrence have potential to create a scary pass rush in New York. In the case that the Giants think that Kayvon Thibodeaux is not a part of their future, Carter makes for a seamless replacement.

4. New England Patriots - Will Campbell, OT: A- 

Mike Vrabel sticks to his identity and helps solidify protection for Drake Maye.

5. Cleveland Browns - Mason Graham, DT: C+

I think Graham is a good player, so he himself does not get the C+ grade. The fact that the Browns had a generational prospect fall in their lap at the second overall pick, just to trade the pick should make Browns fans sick.

6. Las Vegas Raiders - Ashton Jeanty, RB: A

The Raiders got one of the most exciting players in the draft to add to its offense. The Raiders desperately needed a running back and got one of the best RB prospects in the last decade. Jeanty and Bowers is an extremely exciting young offensive duo.

7. New York Jets - Armand Membou, OT: B

The Jets got their tackles of the future in back to back drafts with Membou and last years selection, Olu Fashanu. 

8. Carolina Panthers - Tetairoa McMillan, WR: B+

I was high on Tet than most and think that giving Bryce a big bodied receiver should be very valuable.

9. New Orleans Saints - Kelvin Banks, OT: B

While maybe not the most exciting pick, Banks is a very athletic tackle who should help solidify the Saints offensive line.

10. Chicago Bears - Colston Loveland, TE: C-

This was quite a reach for me. Loveland is very talented but taking a TE this early is always a risk. Especially when Tyler Warren was generally considered the best TE in this class. However, Loveland does add another weapon for Caleb Williams and could be a smart pick in the long run.

11. San Francisco 49ers - Mykel Williams, EDGE: B-

Mykel has all the tools to be a productive pass rusher in the league, but it is hard for me to see a team pass up Jalon Walker to draft someone who looks to play a very similar role

12. Dallas Cowboys - Tyler Booker, OG: D+

I like Booker. I think he is a good guard and the Cowboys have their Zack Martin replacement. But this is quite a reach for me and does not address the Cowboys biggest needs.

13. Miami Dolphins - Kenneth Grant, DT: D

Biggest reach of the draft in my opinion. 

14. Indianapolis Colts - Tyler Warren, TE: B

The Colts are trying to give Anthony Richardson every weapon possible to be successful. Warren should be a very solid TE for years to come.

15. Atlanta Falcons - Jalon Walker, EDGE: A

A top talent in the draft, at a position of desperate need for Atlanta. Walker stays in the state of Georgia and looks to become a franchise cornerstone at the edge rusher position.

16. Arizona Cardinals - Walter Nolen, DT: B

I love the upside of Walter Nolen. If he reaches his ceiling I think the Cardinals got a game changer on the interior of the defensive line.

17. Cincinnati Bengals - Shemar Stewart, EDGE, C+

The Bengals need help everywhere on the defensive line and giving Hendrickson a rush partner is a good move. I just think that there were better fits and better defensive prospects available at this pick.

18. Seattle Seahawks - Grey Zabel, OG: B

Zabel is a good offensive lineman. I think this was maybe a little early for Zabel but interior offensive line was their biggest need and they addressed this issue.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Emeka Egbuka, WR: A-

WR may not be the biggest need for the Bucs, but I absolutely love the fit. Egbuka will fit seamlessly with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and should take the torch once those two retire or leave the organization.

20. Denver Broncos - Jahdae Barron, CB: B+

Very surprising that the Broncos passed on the offensive skill players available, but Barron is a very good player. Him and Surtain is an exciting cornerback duo and Barron gives versatility with his ability to play nickel, outside, and potentially some safety.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers - Derrick Harmon, DT: C+

Harmon is a solid player but this is a pick that I do not think elevates the Steelers in the immediate future.

22. Los Angeles Chargers - Omarion Hampton, RB: A-

I love Hampton in the Jim Harbaugh + Greg Roman run heavy offensive scheme. He just be a great 1, 2 punch with Najee Harris. Najee is only under contract for this next season, meaning Hampton will likely be the absolute feature back very soon.

23. Green Bay Packers - Matthew Golden, WR: B+

Some people had Golden as their WR1. The Packers needed a wide receiver and were able to grab a very talented one who was not expected to be available at this pick.

24. Minnesota Vikings - Donovan Jackson, OG: C

A little bit of a reach here to me but he does improve their O-Line. I would have liked to see them grab an edge.

25. New York Giants - Jaxson Dart, QB: D+

I don't hate the Giants moving up to get who they think is their "guy". I'm just skeptical of what Dart can be. He has tools to be a good QB but there are lots of question marks. I think he would have been available in the second round but I think getting the fifth year option is the main reason they moved into the first round for him.

26. Atlanta Falcons - James Pearce Jr, EDGE: D+

The Falcons needed edge rush badly. They double dipped and got Pearce, who has a very high upside. The reason this pick gets a low grade is because of the capital Atlanta gave up. Next years first round pick seems a steep price to me.

27. Baltimore Ravens - Malaki Starks, S: A

I thought Starks was a top ten talent in the draft, but we just do not see safeties get drafted that high. A Kyle Hamilton and Malaki Starks safety duo is extremely exciting.

28. Detroit Lions - Tyleik Williams, DT: C

They beef up the trenches on the defensive side of the ball. A little early for me, especially with other defensive lineman such as Mike Green or Donovan Ezeiruaku available, who I like for the Lions a little more.

29. Washington Commanders - Josh Conerly Jr, OT: B-

The Commanders commit to giving Jayden Daniels all he needs to succeed, snagging a solid tackle to protect him.

30. Buffalo Bills - Maxwell Hairston, CB: C+

They needed secondary help and Hairston should be a productive player on the back end for the Bills. I am just personally a little lower on Hairston.

31. Philadelphia Eagles - Jihaad Campbell, LB: B+

The Eagles get another stud to add to their Super Bowl defense campaign. Campbell offers versatility and high upside.

32. Kansas City Chiefs - Josh Simmons, OT: A+

If it were not for injury this past college football season, I think Simmons is OT1 in this draft cycle. The Chiefs have desperately been searching for an answer at tackle for the past few years, and I think Brett Veach found that in Simmons.

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