The primary spherical of the 2025 NFL Draft has come and gone.
With that, there isn’t a time to waste. Let’s dive into my first-round grades.
1. Titans: Cam Ward, QB
Grade: A
The Titans made the no-brainer decide. The Titans wanted a recreation changer at QB, they usually drafted essentially the most proficient participant on the place.
2. Jaguars (by way of Cleveland Browns): Travis Hunter, WR/CB
Grade: A
There was steam during the last 24 hours that the Jaguars had been going to make noise on draft evening, they usually certain did. Perhaps the package deal of picks was too heavy, and we’ll solely know this in a number of years. What I do know proper now’s the Jaguars drafted essentially the most electrical participant within the draft. Hunter instantly helps quarterback Trevor Lawrence as a large receiver and that was the objective of the draft: Get the QB extra assist.
3. Giants: Abdul Carter, Edge
Grade: A
The Giants take one of the best participant obtainable on the board and don’t assume twice about it. Carter has a talent set that makes for a fast transition to the NFL, along with his hand utilization, his burst and his skill to complete on the quarterback.
4. Patriots: Will Campbell, OT
Grade: A
The Patriots needed to go away the primary spherical with an offensive sort out, so that they drafted OT1 with the fourth decide. Campbell is a violent offensive lineman and have become the Patriots’ left sort out when his identify was introduced.
5. Browns: Mason Graham, DT
Grade: B+
The Browns traded again three spots whereas selecting up a future first-round decide. I’m simply undecided if the Browns wanted to draft a defensive sort out within the first spherical. Nevertheless, it appears clear that with them buying and selling again and never drafting a QB with their first decide, they’re punting a bit to subsequent season. So that they do add the top-graded defensive sort out for the long run.
6. Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB
Grade: B
Who is obstructing for Jeanty? That is the query I’ve for the Raiders. I get the urge to draft a participant like Jeanty, however in a deep operating again class they may have helped construct up their offensive line and brought the operating again later within the draft. Ultimately, they did draft one of many few super-premium gamers within the draft with out having to maneuver up.
7. Jets: Armand Membou, OT
Grade: A
New Jets head coach Aaron Glenn was once in Detroit, the place he noticed the significance of a dominant offensive line. This draft decide is within the mildew of what the Lions are and what the Jets with Glenn need to be. Membou has excellent stability and works to complete with one of the best of them. Good constructing block.
8. Panthers: Tet McMillian, WR
Grade: A
The consensus for months was the Panthers had been going to draft a defensive lineman to shore up that aspect of the ball. As an alternative, they opted for WR1 with the eighth decide. McMillian will probably be added to an offense that wants his talent set and can give Bryce Younger an enormous “go get the ball” kind of receiver. I’ll belief the Panthers draft board right here.
9. Saints: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT
Grade: B
The Saints declined the fifth-year choice for offensive sort out Trevor Penning. They only drafted his substitute. The Saints proceed the rebuild of the offensive line for one more 12 months, and you cannot fault them. Head coach Kellen Moore gained a Tremendous Bowl with the Eagles offensive line, so he understands the significance of constructing certain you’re proper there.
10. Bears: Colston Loveland, TE
Grade: B+
Rumors all day in regards to the Bears probably buying and selling as much as No. 5 for Jeanty, they usually made the good play to remain put for a good finish. The Bears have spent your entire offseason constructing round Caleb Williams, they usually do it once more with Loveland. I’m stunned they went with Loveland over Tyler Warren, as I believe Warren is essentially the most full tight finish. Nonetheless, I like their course of.
11. 49ers: Mykel Williams, Edge
Grade: A
The 49ers wanted to handle both line, they usually selected to begin with protection. Williams is a big and highly effective defensive finish. He suits the mildew of what the 49ers have seen achieve success at that place.
12. Cowboys: Tyler Booker, OG
Grade: B+
I used to be stunned all through the draft course of that Booker’s identify was not mentioned as the next draft decide. Ultimately, he was drafted as OG1 by a staff that’s rebuilding its line with Zach Martin’s retirement. I believe the Cowboys had been taking a look at McMillian, however he was already chosen. I just like the influence Booker can have in Dallas.
13. Dolphins: Kenneth Grant, DT
Grade: C
That is the primary decide that I assumed a staff reached method above the draft slot. Grant is perhaps a incredible professional, however he’s obtained uncooked pass-rushing expertise and Derrick Harmon or Walter Nolan had been obtainable. I simply don’t assume the Dolphins used their draft decide on an instantly explosive participant.
14. Colts: Tyler Warren, TE
Grade: A
The Colts obtained unimaginable worth in Warren, who I view as a participant who can provide a staff distinctive play from a place that’s so impactful. Identify a high offense within the NFL and I can present you their manufacturing from the tight finish. Warren also can block, so the methods to make use of him are infinite.
15. Falcons: Jalon Walker, Edge
Grade: A
Is John Abraham the final recreation wrecker, edge go rusher the Falcons have had? I believe so. Nicely, they hope with the decide of Walker, that modifications. Walker is one of the best soccer participant of the sting group after Carter and, whereas he’s uncooked as an edge rusher, the talents are there. Falcons seize an enormous place of want.
16. Cardinals: Walter Nolan, DT
Grade: A
The Cardinals stuffed an enormous want with a defensive sort out who’s obtained tons of upside. He’s a former five-star recruit who exhibits the flexibility to get coached up and explode with manufacturing within the league. It’s a sensible decide for the Cardinals.
17. Bengals: Shemar Stewart, Edge
Grade: B
The Bengals had been pegged to take a defensive lineman by most, because it’s an enormous place of want. They draft a participant with out a lot school manufacturing however who has the physique and instruments to enhance rapidly. The Bengals simply wanted so as to add expertise at this place they usually did.
18. Seahawks: Gray Zabel, OL
Grade: A
Love this choice for the Seahawks. These Dakota offensive linemen are imply, nasty and make a fast transition to the league. Zabel performed 4 positions in school and can slot right into a guard spot for Seattle. This can be a good match of want with choice.
19. Buccaneers: Emeka Egbuka, WR
Grade: B
The Bucs add a slot receiver to their squad to pair with their already wonderful receiving group. I don’t dislike including extra expertise to the offense, however I’m stunned they handed on a defensive participant.
20. Broncos: Jahdae Barron, DB
Grade: A
A shocking choice for the Broncos with everybody having them drafting a operating again. With the offenses the Broncos face within the AFC West, having extra cornerbacks isn’t a nasty factor. Barron is a twichy participant and can pair nicely with Pat Surtain II.
21. Steelers: Derrick Harmon, DT
Grade: A
Derrick Harmon is considered one of my draft crushes. I believe he’s going to be a beautiful skilled defensive sort out. He had over 50 pressures final season from the defensive sort out place, which is so extremely exhausting to do in school. Thought the Steelers would draft a quarterback, however they will need to have felt Shedeur Sanders was not adequate to draft.
22. Chargers: Omarion Hampton, RB
Grade: B
At decide No. 22, the Chargers took a weapon to assist Justin Herbert. I’d think about the Chargers would have beloved an enormous defensive sort out, however they’re all taken. Hampton is a three-down again who will present the Chargers offense with explosive play potential from the backfield.
23. Packers: Matthew Golden, WR
Grade: B-
The Packers lastly did it. They drafted a receiver within the first spherical though I assumed they’d draft a cornerback. Will Johnson’s medicals should not have come again clear. Anyway, I believe it’s a tremendous decide and the Packers might want to hone some method with Golden. However he can fly, which is all the time a superb begin.
24. Vikings: Donovan Jackson, OG
Grade: B
The Vikings proceed constructing the backbone of their staff with the drafting of Jackson. He can transfer nicely with good stability. That is only a high quality decide for the Vikings.
25. Giants: Jaxson Dart, QB
Grade: C
In the event you love a quarterback, you must draft them. So I perceive what the Giants did. I’m simply not a believer that Dart will probably be something greater than what they’ve had on the place when Daniel Jones was wholesome. I completely get why the Giants did this, nevertheless it does nothing for me.
26. Falcons: James Pierce Jr., Edge
Grade: D
The Falcons traded again within the first spherical to draft a defensive lineman with extra potential than manufacturing. Clearly, the go rush was a necessity for Atlanta, however Pierce isn’t a participant price buying and selling additional property for. It might have additionally traded at a decrease slot to seize him as nicely. I don’t imagine he was getting drafted quickly.
27. Ravens: Malaki Starks, S
Grade: B
Georgia defensive gamers are simply good within the NFL and the Ravens wanted a security. It’s a protected decide and the Ravens have excelled at drafting, so we should always all the time belief them.
28. Lions: Tylelk Williams, DT
Grade: C
That is early for Williams, however whenever you’re selecting on the finish of the primary spherical, you don’t have a primary spherical grade on any gamers. The Lions need assistance on the defensive position and discover it with Williams.
29. Commanders: Josh Conerly Jr., OT
Grade: B
I’m undecided the place Conerly will play proper now for the Commanders, however it is a play for the long run. Conerly is just 21 years outdated with a lot room to develop into his physique. His enchancment over the ultimate six video games this season is the rationale he’s within the first spherical.
30. Bills: Maxwell Harrison, DB
Grade: B
The Payments add the defensive again from Kentucky. A place of want is stuffed, they usually can handle receiver within the second spherical.
31. Eagles: Jihaad Campbell, LB
Grade: A
Howie Roseman does it once more. I don’t know the way he continues to seek out these draft picks. Campbell is simply one other athletic freak present so as to add to the Eagles protection. Simply an impressive draft decide.
32. Chiefs: Josh Simmons, OT
Grade: B
Simmons was OT1 earlier than his knee harm towards Oregon on Oct. 12. The Chiefs don’t “want” him to play proper now to allow them to enable his knee to heal totally. There’s good worth. I’d have beloved for the Chiefs to discover a DT, however there’s nobody prepared.
Geoff Schwartz is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports activities. He performed eight seasons within the NFL for 5 totally different groups. He began at proper sort out for the College of Oregon for 3 seasons and was a second-team All-Pac-12 choice his senior 12 months. Comply with him on Twitter @GeoffSchwartz.
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