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2025 NFC West Draft Review

Arizona Cardinal

(16) Walter Nolen DT Ole Miss
(47) Will Johnson CB Michigan
(78) Jordan Burch DE Oregon
(115) Cody Simon LB Ohio St.
(174) Denzel Burke CB Ohio St.
(211) Hayden Conner OL Texas
(225) Kitan Crawford S Nevada

Immediate Impact: DT Walter Nolen, CB Will Johnson

Walter Nolen shouldn’t have to start given the veterans they signed for the defensive line; Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson, plus Darius Robinson being healthy. That’s probably best because Nolen needs to mature into being a pro and having Campbell and Tomlinson around should help him do that. He will bring an attacking style of play to their front and that will be helpful. Will Johnson should absolutely start right away. He pushes Sean Murphy-Bunting into a backup role and gives the Cardinals a legit CB1. He also allows Max Melton to settle in to his CB2 spot and takes the pressure off him.

Best Value: CB Will Johnson

He may have a knee injury that could affect the longevity of his career. So what? If he’s healthy right now, he has CB1 skills and abilities. His size and play style are a great fit in Arizona and Sean Murphy-Bunting is not going to keep Johnson out of the lineup. He isn’t the fastest player but his game isn’t predicated on speed and getting a guy who can be a true #1 CB in the middle of round two is excellent value.

Sleeper: LB Cody Simon

Simon isn’t particularly good at any one thing but he was the glue that kept the Ohio St. defense together. Given the other two ILB for the Cardinals are Mack Wilson and Akeem Davis-Gaither there’s playing time available. Simon can be an additive piece to a defense that’s still looking for leaders.

Overall Analysis

Clearly, the priority of this draft class was to improve the defense. Nolen gives them a penetrating DT they really didn’t have last year and he’s a talented player. Will Johnson was just way too valuable to pass on in round two and might be the top CB they have been missing since the Patrick Peterson days. DE Jordan Burch is great fit as a bit DE with some power and some push. They need to get to the QB better and he can help that. All three of those guys can help this defense this year for sure.

LB Cody Simon went to a place where he can compete for playing time. Wilson and Davis-Gaither aren’t exactly entrenched starters. CB Denzel Burke is a guy who looked like a top prospect a couple of years ago but never seemed to put it together. He’s a little undersized and struggles at times but he does have talent and he was worth taking a shot on in the fifth round. This secondary needs all the help it can get. OG Hayden Connor is a big dude who brings a lot of power with him but I’m not sure he’s good enough to unseat Evan Brown, even if that’s not a high bar to clear. S Kitan Crawford is a longshot for the roster but given it is Arizona’s secondary; I won’t rule him out.

Nitpick or Concern: Zero help on the offense? Really? This team wasn’t bad on offense but they could have used some help. Interior offensive line needed more than Hayden Connor and they needed some WR help too.

Los Angeles Rams

(46) Terrance Ferguson TE Oregon
(90) Josaiah Stewart Edge Michigan
(117) Jarquez Hunter RB Auburn
(148) Ty Hamilton DL Ohio St.
(172) Chris Paul Jr. LB Ole Miss
(242) Konata Mumpfield WR Pittsburgh

Immediate Impact: TE Terrance Ferguson

Tyler Higbee is getting older and the Rams have been looking for a TE for a couple of years. When one of the top two didn’t fall far enough for them to get them, they traded out of round one and ended up taking Ferguson in round two. Sean McVay will use him plenty and Ferguson has all-around TE skills, he’ll be a good player.

Best Value: DT Ty Hamilton

Hamilton isn’t a big body on the inside but he has the play strength to be a NT for this team. The Rams have never cared about body type, they used Aaron Donald for years as an undersized DT and they just signed Poona Ford. Ford is a 6’0 300 lbs. player who plays much bigger, Hamilton can play bigger than his size.

Sleeper: LB Chris Paul Jr.

This is what the Rams do at LB, they take guys late in the draft, or after the draft, and turn them into eventual starters. Last year it was undrafted free agent Omar Speights and this year it will be Paul. He may not start this year but when the team decides to move on from Troy Reeder, don’t be shocked if Paul is the guy replacing him.

Overall Analysis

The Rams traded out of the first round after not being able to move up to get the TE they wanted, also because they fleeced the Falcons. This wasn’t one of their “F* them picks” moves. The Falcons gave them a first-round pick next year for the 26th pick in round one this year to move up and take James Pearce Jr. You make that trade 100 out of 100 times. The Rams were good last year but they have some aging players, including QB Matt Stafford, so an extra first next year is good business.

They did well to get Terrance Ferguson in round two, he’s a useful player who can replace Tyler Higbee at TE. Higbee is aging and gets hurt a lot, Ferguson is a terrific athlete and a good TE. Edge Josaiah Stewart is a very undersized pass rusher but like I said, the Rams really don’t care about body type. Stewart will be a terror off the edge as a designated pass rusher, opponents are going to hate him. RB Jarquez Hunter was an interesting pick after they took Blake Corum last year. Corum was supposed to be the next Kyren Williams but Hunter is more Williams than even Corum. Sean McVay will ride Williams into the ground but now he has two future options to pick from.

DT Ty Hamilton and LB Chris Paul Jr. are going to be depth pieces this year and then probably starters in a year or two. They are very good picks late in the draft. Konata Mumpfield is a skinny WR who isn’t all that fast but you know who else wasn’t fast, Puca Nacua and Cooper Kupp. Mumpfield isn’t those guys but if anyone can figure out how to use him at some point, it’s Sean McVay.

Nitpick or Concern: The Rams seem to never care about the secondary. They didn’t care in free agency or in the draft and it’s not like it’s a stacked unit. They are still counting on Ahkello Witherspoon as one outside CB and I assume Quentin Lake at nickel. They should really consider upgrading the CB spot, maybe trade for Jalen Ramsey again.

San Francisco 49ers

(11) Mykel Williams DE Georgia
(43) Alfred Collins DT Texas
(75) Nick Martin LB Oklahoma St.
(100) Upton Stout CB Western Kentucky
(113) CJ West DT Indiana
(138) Jordan Watkins WR Ole Miss
(147) Jordan James RB Oregon
(160) Marques Sigle S Kansas St.
(227) Kurtis Rourke QB Indiana
(249) Connor Colby OG Iowa
(252) Junior Bergen WR Montana

Immediate Impact: DE Mykel Williams, DT Alfred Collins, DT CJ West

The 49ers’ run defense was atrocious last year and they drafted three defensive linemen to fix it. Williams is an athletic freak who needs some work as a pass rusher but the one thing he already does well at DE is play the run. Alfred Collins is a gigantic man at 6’6 332 lbs. and he’ll eat space in the middle and occupy blockers to help keep Fred Warner clean at LB. CJ West doesn’t have quite the size of Collins but he’s plenty big and he’s an anchor on the interior. Williams will start immediately at DE and I think Collins wins a spot early. West may have to show he’s ready to play over some veterans before he gets to start, but I think he can do that.

Best Value: DT CJ West

He won’t get the notice right away as he will literally be overshadowed by his new linemates Williams and Collins. However, he’s a rock on the inside and will be the run stuffer then need and could end up starting at DT next to Collins. As a fourth-round pick, that’s excellent value.

Sleeper: OG Connor Colby

Call me a homer, I don’t care. This team needs offensive line help and they did nothing in free agency and only took Colby in the draft. They lost LG Aaron Banks in free agency and for now they have Ben Bartch penciled in there. I could see them sliding Dominick Puni, their excellent rookie last year from RG to LG and Colby getting a shot at RG. He already knows the run scheme because it’s the same one Iowa is running. Kyle Shanahan has a penchant for taking later round offensive linemen and turning them into starters, Colby could be next.

Overall Analysis

The 49ers intentions were clear early in the draft, get better on the defensive front. Williams can learn some pass rushing secrets from Nick Bosa but for now he can stuff the run. Alfred Collins gives them a run stuffer they haven’t had in quite some time. DT CJ West was a day three pick that does the same thing and was too good to pass up.

I didn’t like the Nick Martin pick at LB that early, they could have gotten him later. He fits their mold of small, speedy LBs but round three was early. You could say the same thing about CB Upton Stout, way too early. One other thing about Stout, he’s an undersized guy who needs to play the slot and that’s Deommodore Lenoir’s best spot. They needed an outside CB. They also took two WRs that I’m not sure help them. Jordan Watkins in round four and then a seventh-round pick on Junior Bergen, they could have done better.

RB Jordan James was a solid pickup and you know Kyle Shanahan will get the absolute best out of him for the next few years. S Marques Sigle is an undersized safety, not sure where he fits. QB Kurtis Rourke has some talent to work with but he played last year with a torn ACL and had it fixed after the season. This should be a redshirt year for him. Love the Colby pick, he can play in this offense.

Nitpick or Concern: It’s the Nick Martin/Upton Stout part of the draft that I don’t get. Shavon Revel Jr. literally was the next pick after Martin. Maybe he isn’t a perfect scheme fit in their eyes but he’s a better player than Martin and he’s an outside CB. There were also some speedy LBs left in round four where they took Stout. I would rather have Revel at CB and then a LB like Danny Stutsman, Jack Kiser, Cody Simon, or Barrett Carter where they took Stout.

Seattle Seahawks

(18) Grey Zabel G/C North Dakota St.
(35) Nick Emmanwori S South Carolina
(50) Elijah Arroyo TE Miami
(92) Jalen Milroe QB Alabama
(142) Rylie Mills DL Notre Dame
(166) Tory Horton WR Colorado St.
(175) Robbie Ouzts TE Alabama
(192) Bryce Cabeldue OT Kansas
(223) Damien Martinez RB Miami
(234) Mason Richman OL Iowa
(238) Ricky White III WR UNLV

Immediate Impact: G/C Grey Zabel, S Nick Emmanwori, TE Elijah Arroyo

The Seahawks offensive line was awful inside last season and Grey Zabel is going to start at one spot. He’s probably the LG but he could end up the center if they find other guards. He’s an upgrade at any spot. S Nick Emmanwori should be the starter opposite Julian Love but he needs to prove he’s reliable. They have Coby Bryant but Emmanwori has a higher ceiling. TE Elijah Arroyo has the chance to be a real playmaker for this team. He’s a better pass catcher than AJ Barner and maybe better all-around than Noah Fant.

Best Value: WR Tory Horton

If Horton’s knee is ready to go this year he’s going to play for this team. They aren’t exactly stacked at WR with an aging Cooper Kupp and a middling Marquez Valdes-Scantling. He can be a better deep threat than MVS almost immediately. I’m a fan of Horton and he’s going to be a good WR in the league.

Sleeper: RB Damien Martinez

Martinez isn’t going to take Kenneth Walker’s job but if I were Zach Charbonnet, I would be a little worried. Martinez is a big power back who can do all the things Charbonnet is supposed to do. Martinez was one of my favorite backs in the draft and having him available in round seven was a steal.

Overall Analysis

Zabel was a no-brainer pick for the Seahawks with their needs on the interior of the offensive line. He’s a day one starter and he gives them options on the interior. They traded up to get S Nick Emmanwori in round two and he’s a guy who has the type of skills Mike Macdonald can use on his defense. Arroyo is a really good investment at TE long term and brings skills this year.
While the team signed Sam Darnold at QB it’s only a three-year deal for now so the team took Jalen Milroe as a developmental QB. He won’t be pressed into service with Darnold and Drew Lock around but he’s well worth the draft pick. DL Rylie Mills gives them some depth on the defensive line. WR Tory Horton was one of my favorite picks in the draft, the Seahawks got a good one.

They also took a second TE Robbie Ouzts who is more of a blocker. Not sure how he fits considering they took AJ Barner last year and that’s pretty much his role. They sandwiched a couple of more offensive linemen around the Martinez pick; Bryce Cabeldue and Mason Richman. Both guys offer positional flexibility as they were OTs in college but are expected to be guards in the pros. They should be guys who can compete to at least be depth considering how bad the offensive line was last year. They took another WR in round seven, they can use the depth.

Nitpick or Concern: As much as I like Horton at WR, they could have invested an earlier pick at the position. Cooper Kupp isn’t a long-term answer and Marquez Valdes-Scantling isn’t an answer at all.

2025 NFC East Draft Review

Dallas Cowboys

(12) Tyler Booker OG Alabama
(44) Donovan Ezeiruaku Edge Boston College
(76) Shavon Revel Jr. CB East Carolina
(149) Jaydon Blue RB Texas
(152) Shemar James LB Florida
(204) Ajani Cornelius OL Oregon
(217) Jay Toia DT UCLA
(239) Phil Mafah RB Clemson
(247) Tommy Akingbesote DT Maryland

Immediate Impact: RG Tyler Booker, CB Shavon Revel Jr.

The Cowboys lost Zack Martin to retirement and immediately drafted his replacement in Booker. Booker isn’t an impressive athlete but he’s a very good guard. He will maul people to death in the interior and while he may never be what Martin was at his peak, he may be an upgrade over what the aging Martin has been recently. Revel is coming off an ACL tear so maybe this is ambitious but he’s easily one of three best CBs on this team immediately. With DaRon Bland’s ability to play inside or outside, Revel could get on the field quickly.

Best Value: CB Shavon Revel Jr.

If Revel is healthy, he has starter quality ability right now and his ceiling is being a CB1 in the league. The team has Bland and Trevon Diggs so they won’t ask him to be that now but the potential is there. Getting him in round three is highway robbery.

Sleeper: DT Jay Toia

Toia was a seventh-round pick but he can be everything Mazi Smith isn’t, namely, a run stuffing DT who actually stops the run. Smith has been a disappointment and has never been a run stuffer. Toia doesn’t bring much else in terms of pocket pressure, but he doesn’t get moved in run defense. It’s strange to think a seventh-round pick could put a former first-round pick on notice but Smith should be looking over his shoulder.

Overall Analysis

Jerry Jones talks a big game when it comes to being the GM of the Cowboys but everyone knows Will McClay runs the draft for Dallas and he’s excellent at it. He could have gone for the shiny toy in WR Matthew Golden but he made sure the offensive line was taken care of first. Booker is not a sexy pick, he’s downright boring, but he’s an above average starter for the next decade with the possibility of being a Pro Bowler.

The next two picks were excellent value picks they couldn’t pass up. DE Donovan Ezeiruaku got some first round buzz but he was always more of a second-round guy. He’s an affective pass rusher even if he’s a little undersized. The Cowboys have bodies at the position after signing veterans like Dante Fowler Jr and Payton Turner to go with Sam Williams. They have their star in Micah Parsons but Ezeiruaku gives them another guy with a higher ceiling than those veterans. CB Shavon Revel Jr. is coming off an ACL tear but that shouldn’t stop him from reaching his potential, which is immense. He was a steal in round three.

RB Jaydon Blue is nice addition as he gives the team a big play threat at the position. Javonte Williams should be the main back but he doesn’t have the speed Blue brings. LB Shemar James is a small LB with speed. For a team that has gone through its fair share of LB injuries over the years, James isn’t a bad investment. He probably has to be a special team’s ace to make the roster.

OL Ajani Cornelius is a solid bet on a late prospect. He isn’t nearly the prospect his teammate Josh Conerly Jr. was but he’s a good backup for now. He did play RT at Oregon so if Terence Steele doesn’t bounce back, he may be an option there. I wrote about Toia; he has a chance to be a guy for this team. RB Phil Mafah is the big body that Blue isn’t, if Mafah is good, Miles Sanders may not make this roster. The last pick is another DT but Tommy Akingbesote is probably just a practice squad guy.

Nitpick or Concern: Where’s the help at WR? I completely understand taking Booker over Golden, I wasn’t Golden’s biggest fan. Even Ezeiruaku and Revel were too good of value to pass on for WRs but this team had nine picks and not one WR was taken. The pick at 152 where they took Shemar James, there were still a couple of WRs I liked there, Tory Horton and KeAndre Lambert-Smith for example. I know Jerry Jones talked about getting a veteran but is planning to trade for George Pickens, that won’t be cheap, he’s up for a new contract soon. Maybe he can trade for Kendrick Bourne from the Patriots.

New York Giants

(3) Abdul Carter Edge Penn St.
(25) Jaxson Dart QB Ole Miss
(65) Darius Alexander DT Toledo
(105) Cam Skattebo RB Arizona St.
(154) Marcus Mbow OL Purdue
(219) Thomas Fidone II TE Nebraska
(246) Korie Black CB Oklahoma St.

Immediate Impact: Edge Abdul Carter, DT Darius Alexander

The defensive front has some good pieces to start with but Abdul Carter is going to be too good to keep off the field. There’s a legitimate chance he supplants Kayvon Thibodeaux as a starter early in the year. Darius Alexander is a small school guy coming from Toledo but he showed at the Senior Bowl, he can hang with the big boys. The Giants don’t have a lot of great options next to Dexter Lawrence inside, Alexander has a pretty clear path to playing time.

Best Value: DT Darius Alexander

He has a legitimate shot to be the starting DT in week one and they got him with the first pick of round three, that’s a steal.

Sleeper: OL Marcus Mbow

Mbow was an OT in college who most have moving to OG in the NFL and I can see that. There has also been some talk he could end up a center, either way, he’s a good player to get in round five. I think he could give you solid snaps at RT in a pinch and all that versatility makes him a valuable asset. He could also just end up taking the RG job from Greg Van Roten immediately.

Overall Analysis

The Giants did the right thing by taking Abdul Carter with the third pick even though pass rusher wasn’t a big need for them. Carter could be a special player at a premium position and you can’t pass that up. Then they made their big move later in round one coming up from their early second round pick to take QB Jaxson Dart. They are going to take some heat as not everyone is a Dart fan, and I’m not his biggest fan either. However, they only traded two third round picks to move up nine spots to get a QB. That’s a pretty modest trade price to get a potential future QB. Dart isn’t going to play right away with Russell Wilson and Jamies Winston on the roster but it will push him to be his best. If he can earn some playing time it will be because he deserves it, not because he was a first-round pick.

The Darius Alexander pick was fantastic value and fills a big need. I’m admittedly not a Cam Skattebo guy but he’s a good fit here. They have Tyrone Tracy who had a good year last year and Skattebo is the perfect complement to him. Tracy is a slasher who likes to get outside and use his speed, Skattebo will pound it inside and get the tough yards between the tackles. Love the Mbow selection in round five, truly great value. TE Thomas Fidone II looks the part of a top TE but wasn’t usually healthy enough to play like it. Maybe he has better luck in the NFL. For a team that probably needed a little more help in the secondary, I’m not sure seventh rounder Korie Black is all I would have done there.

Nitpick or Concern: Where is the help for the offense? This team wasn’t exactly a juggernaut last season and the only change to the starting offense is swapping in QB Russell Wilson, presumably until Dart is ready. Malik Nabers was great as a rookie and Tracy was very good at RB but you didn’t add any playmakers at all. They maybe got a new RG if Mbow beats our Greg Van Roten but that’s not a sure thing. They needed more offensive help.

Philadelphia Eagles

(31) Jihaad Campbell LB Alabama
(64) Andrew Mukuba S Texas
(111) Ty Robinson DT Nebraska
(145) Mac McWilliams CB UCF
(161) Smael Mondon Jr. LB Georgia
(168) Drew Kendall OL Boston College
(181) Kyle McCord QB Syracuse
(191) Myles Hinton OT Michigan
(207) Cameron Williams OT Texas
(209) Antwaun Powell-Ryland Edge Virginia Tech

Immediate Impact: LB Jihaad Campbell

The Eagles just won the Super Bowl so finding any rookie to make an immediate impact is tough. They drafted Campbell in round one and he was only available because he is dealing with a shoulder injury and some other ailments. The team is also dealing with MLB Nakobe Dean coming off an injury last season so Campbell’s shoulder injury might be healed faster than Dean’s issues. Campbell can also get on the field as a pass rusher so he’s going to play somewhere.

Best Value: DT Ty Robinson

They lost a lot of players in the front seven like Milton Williams, Brandon Graham, and Josh Sweat so they were looking to replenish the depth. Robinson is a tough player with good athletic traits who should fit the scheme well. Getting a guy of his caliber in the fourth round is impressive.

Sleeper: OT Cameron Williams

I could probably pick any of the three offensive linemen they took because they have the best o-line coach in football and he’s going to turn these guys into real players. I’m going with Williams because he feels like a Jeff Stoutland special. Williams is huge and powerful but he needs to smooth out the edges. No one smooths edges like Stoutland. This team is eventually going to need a RT replacement for Lane Johnson, my money would be on this guy.

Overall Analysis

Howie Roseman is one of the better GMs at drafting, he understands the most fundamental thing to remember…take good players. Jihaad Campbell could be a lot of things for this defense, most importantly he’ll be a playmaker. S Andrew Mukuba is a guy who plays like a guy 25 lbs. heavier than he is. He’s a good safety who loves to hit but he’s only 187 lbs. and he’s a little spindly. He goes for the big hit too much and misses some tackles, he needs to stop doing that and he would be more reliable. Robinson was a great pick where they got him and fills a need.

CB Mac McWilliams helps this team replenish the depth at CB as they let Darius Slay and James Bradbury leave. He’s a solid addition but they are counting on Kelee Ringo to become a starter or they may have to try McWilliams. Smael Mondon is the requisite Georgia defender Howie Roseman is apparently contractually obligated to draft every year. He adds some speed and coverage ability at LB. Then they took three offensive linemen in their next four picks. C Drew Kendall, OT Myles Hinton, and OT Cameron Williams are all guys Jeff Stoutland could turn into eventual starters. QB Kyle McCord is a good bet to be a solid QB. I think he wins the third string job over Dorian Thompson-Robinson. They did sign a number of veterans at edge rusher so the last pick Antwaun Powell-Ryland could find it hard to make the roster.

Nitpick or Concern: The one area they avoided that they could have helped themselves is WR. Sure, they have AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith and they are an excellent duo but their third WR is Jahan Dotson and he hasn’t been great. They keep signing middling free agents like Terrace Marshall (this year) or Paris Campbell (previously) but they don’t draft well to find a solution. They took Andrew Mukuba at 64 and there were guys like Kyle Williams and Jaylin Noel still on the board. They could have taken Jalen Royals or Elic Ayomanor when they took Ty Robinson so they had options.

Washington Commanders

(29) Josh Conerly Jr. OT Oregon
(61) Trey Amos CB Ole Miss
(128) Jaylin Lane WR Virginia Tech
(205) Kain Medrano LB UCLA
(245) Jacory Croskey-Merritt RB Arizona

Immediate Impact: OT Josh Conerly Jr., CB Trey Amos

Josh Conerly Jr. is a bit raw but he has more potential at OT than Brandon Coleman so there’s a good chance he takes the RT job from Andrew Wylie and Coleman ends up at LG. Perhaps eventually, Conerly is the long-term answer at LT but for now Laremy Tunsil holds that spot down. Amos is an excellent outside CB. His presence opposite Marshon Lattimore will allow the team to move Mike Sanristil back to the nickel spot and give them a solid trio at CB.

Best Value: CB Trey Amos

He was an absolute steal at 61 overall. He can be an immediate starter at CB and he has the upside to be a very good CB in the league.

Sleeper: RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt

The Commanders have Brian Robinson going into his fourth year so he’s in a contract year and Austin Ekeler who’s going to be 30 this season. They need some help at RB and Croskey-Merritt is a guy with some juice. He has the speed they don’t currently have in the backfield and he could be a valuable find.

Overall Analysis

This is a small class the Commanders did about as well as can be expected with a five-player draft class. Conerly and Amos have immediate starter ability and long-term upside. WR Jaylin Lane is a little undersized but he’s got electric speed and when Deebo Samuel inevitably gets hurt, Lane might come in handy. LB Kain Medrano is a fast LB who needs some discipline to be effective. Croskey-Merritt is a fun piece if they find the right way to use him.

Nitpick or Concern: When they took Medrano there were still a safety on the board, RJ Mickens who could have helped them. It’s a small and specific nitpick but it’s all I got unless you want me to dive into the trade for Deebo Samuel. I’ll save that for another time.

2025 AFC North Draft Review

Baltimore Ravens

(27) Malaki Starks S Georgia
(59) Mike Green Edge Marshall
(91) Emery Jones Jr. OL LSU
(129) Teddye Buchanan LB California
(141) Carson Vinson OT Alabama A&M
(176) Bilhal Kone CB Western Michigan
(186) Tyler Loop K Arizona
(203) LaJohntay Wester WR Colorado
(210) Aeneas Peebles DL Virginia Tech
(212) Robert Longerbeam CB Rutgers
(243) Garrett Dellinger OL LSU

Immediate Impact: S Malaki Starks, Edge Mike Green, K Tyler Loop

Malaki Starks is a starting safety in the NFL on pretty much any team and the Ravens got him at 27. He steps into the role which allows Kyle Hamilton to move back to nickel back where he becomes the ultimate chess piece who can do everything on defense. It’s a brilliant move by the Ravens. Mike Green had some off the field red flags due to sexual assault allegations from years ago and it caused him to slip. He’s a talented pass rusher and his value late in round two was too great to pass up. He gives the Ravens a real edge threat and he’s Kyle Van Noy’s eventual replacement. K Tyler Loop makes this group because Justin Tucker is facing some serious allegations of sexual misconduct himself and the Ravens drafted Loop so they can move on from Tucker.

Best Value: Edge Mike Green

The sexual assault allegations were from high school and his early years at Virginia, so they aren’t recent. If it never comes up again and Green just plays football without incident in the future, he’s a steal late in round two. He’s arguably the best pass rusher on the team from day one and they need him on the edge.

Sleepers: CBs Bilhal Kone and Robert Longerbeam

The Ravens have Nate Wiggins and Marlon Humphrey at CB but Humphrey gets banged up from time to time. They signed Chidobe Awuzie in free agency, he also gets hurt often. TJ Tampa is the only depth they have and he’s unproven. Kone has some fans as he’s a good-sized CB with some skills. Longerbeam is an undersized player who is a nickel back. These are guy who could develop into long-term pieces and given the Ravens track record, I’d bet on them being useful defensive backs at some point.

Overall Analysis

The Ravens do this every year so it’s not surprising they had a good draft. Malakie Starks is the type of excellent football player that seems to always fall into Baltimore’s lap every year. His presence unlocks Kyle Hamilton, the best player on the defense. Mike Green falling to the Ravens’s pick late in round two is unbelievable. He fills such a need for them with a very high ceiling. OL Emery Jones Jr. is also an amazing pick for them. He played RT at LSU but everyone thinks he’s a guard and he’s going to be a good one. The Ravens need some help there and while he may not start immediately, if he’s a starting guard in two years for this team, that’s a completely believable outcome. And he could be very good there. He can also be a solid backup OT in the meantime.

In the middle rounds the Ravens got LB Teddye Buchanan, OT Carson Vinson, and CB Bilhal Kone, all very good developmental prospects at their respective positions. The Ravens have done this for years in the middle rounds and it’s why they always have a solid roster and every once in a while, they unearth a middle round gem. At least one of these players will be a starter for them in two years. Then they drafted K Tyler Loop who will replace Justin Tucker so the team can move on from that particularly bad story they don’t want to be a part of.

WR LaJohntay Wester was a peculiar pick, he’s undersized and was maybe the third best WR at Colorado last season. I’m assuming they are hoping he’s just a cheap replacement for Tylan Wallace at some point. DT Aeneas Peebles was also a little strange but only because the Ravens tend to draft very large defensive linemen and Peebles is smaller, they must have just liked him that much. CB Robert Longerbeam has nickel potential so he’s an acceptable flyer in round six. They also took another interior OL Garrett Dellinger from LSU. He actually played interior o-line at LSU and they will probably stash him on the practice squad and then he’ll be a backup OG in the future.

Nitpick or Concern: For a team that only has Zay Flowers as a truly impressive starting WR they didn’t do much to help the WR group. Signing DeAndre Hopkins and drafting LaJohntay Wester to add to Rashod Bateman, Tez Walker, and Tylan Wallace isn’t really helping the passing game. I would have invested more than the Wester pick given the depth chart. They have to hope Tez Walker takes a step forward because Hopkins looked pretty cooked at the end of last season.

Cincinnati Bengals

(17) Shemar Stewart DE Texas A&M
(49) Demetrius Knight Jr. LB South Carolina
(81) Dylan Fairchild OG Georgia
(119) Barrett Carter LB Clemson
(153) Jalen Rivers OG Miami
(193) Tahj Brooks RB Texas Tech

Immediate Impact: DE Shemar Stewart

Well, they better hope he makes an impact right away. They need pass rush help and while Stewart looks the part, he rarely made the play on the QB in college. Having Trey Hendrickson opposite him would help, assuming they hold on to Hendrickson. Stewart is a big bet on a high upside player, they need him to have an impact, now.

Best Value: OG Dylan Fairchild

I’m of the opinion that the team should have continued to go defense but it’s completely possible they found a starting LG here in round three. Fairchild has the ability to beat out Cordell Volson for the LG job and if he does that and Lucas Patrick can take the RG spot, the offensive line will be much better.

Sleeper: LB Barrett Carter

Taking another LB two rounds after reaching a bit for Demetrius Knight Jr. seems strange. However, if you told me two years from now Carter is a starting LB for the Bengals and Knight isn’t, I wouldn’t be overly shocked. Carter is a better athlete than his testing but he’s a bit undersized so he fell a little. What is does do well is play with instincts and understanding of his position.

Overall Analysis

This was a small draft class and they took a big swing in round one on Shemar Stewart. They are counting on new defensive coordinator Al Golden to be better at developing young, athletic freaks than his predecessor Lou Anarumo was. Stewart’s ceiling is very high but they need him to reach it quickly. They needed help on defense but mostly they needed it on the line and in the secondary, so of course, they took two LBs. Demetrius Knight Jr. is a great athlete but they took him a little too early and unless they trade Germaine Pratt, he’s not playing a ton next season. Pratt asked for a trade so it could happen but he and Logan Wilson are the best part of the defense not named Trey Hendrickson, when they’re healthy.

The Fairchild pick was a solid move to help solidify their offensive line. Protecting Joe Burrow is a worthwhile endeavor so that was a solid pick. Picking LB Barrett Carter to double up at the one position on defense you didn’t truly need to address was just mind boggling. OL Jalen Rivers is a giant OT prospect who they can develop behind Orlando Brown Jr. and Amarius Mims and hope he becomes something. RB Tahj Brooks is a solid prospect but a bit of a luxury pick for a team that has Chase Brown, Zack Moss, and just brought back Semaje Perine.

Nitpick or Concern: When they picked LB Demetrius Knight Jr at 49 in round two here are some of the defensive players still on the board; Edge Nic Scourton, CB Benjamin Morrison, Edge Mike Green, CB Trey Amos, DT Shemar Turner, S Andrew Mukuba, DT Darius Alexander, CB Darien Porter. That’s eight guys within the next 20 picks that would have been more impactful for the Bengals defense that desperately needs impact players. Also, they didn’t draft a single player in the secondary or at DT and they needed help at both spots way more than they needed two LBs.

Cleveland Browns

(5) Mason Graham DL Michigan
(33) Carson Schwesinger LB UCLA
(36) Quinshon Judkins RB Ohio St.
(67) Harold Fannin Jr. TE Bowling Green
(94) Dillon Gabriel QB Oregon
(126) Dylan Sampson RB Tennessee
(144) Shadeur Sanders QB Colorado

Immediate Impact: DT Mason Graham, RB Quinshon Judkins

There’s an option here on LB Carson Schwesinger depending on the prognosis for Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah’s neck injury. Also, Shadeur Sanders could be the starter if the owner is deciding the starting QB again this year. I’ll get back to this. Mason Graham immediately becomes the most impactful DT Myles Garrett has ever played with. He may seem slightly small and he has short arms but Graham is a handful on the interior and Garrett is going to love him. Judkins takes over for Nick Chubb, who the team didn’t bring back in free agency. Judkins is the workhorse they need to allow Jerome Ford to do his thing, assuming Ford holds off Dylan Sampson, I’m not assuming that though.

Best Value: RB Dylan Sampson

Don’t give me the Sanders bullshit. Sampson lasting until the fourth round was just too good for the Browns to pass up. He could be an every down back for someone but here he’s the change of pace guy for Judkins. This is going to be an elite backfield if they can find anyone to block for them up front.

Sleeper: QB Dillon Gabriel

You can’t call Sanders a sleeper, people know him and expect him to become the starter here. Gabriel was a reach in round three, he just doesn’t profile like an NFL starter because he doesn’t have the size or the arm strength. However, this is a guy players will go to war for on the field. He’s tough, has elite accuracy, and he will run the offense with supreme efficiency.

Overall Analysis

The Browns made the biggest move of the draft trading down from second and the chance to take Travis Hunter to fifth and taking Mason Graham. They picked up some picks including a first round pick next year and I think they made the wise choice. They cashed in a lottery ticket for some money and another lottery ticket next year. Hunter wasn’t turning around the fortunes of the Browns, Graham is a building block and that first rounder next year gives them options.

I wasn’t the biggest fan of the Carson Schwesinger pick as I think he’s a little overrated but if Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah can’t come back from is injury, Schwesinger is a better starting option than Devin Bush. I love the Judkins pick, he’s exactly what they need to replace Nick Chubb. Judkins got overshadowed at times by TreVeyon Henderson’s flashiness at Ohio St. but he is an NFL starting RB. TE Harold Fannin Jr. is a fun idea of a player but Kevin Stefanski is going to have to figure out creative ways to use him. Luckily, they have David Njoku, who is a real TE so they can experiment with Fannin. I explained the Sampson pick; it was far too great of a value to pass up and everybody needs two RBs. Anyone who had Jerome Ford on their fantasy team last year knows he’s not a consistent player. Ok, now I’ll get to the Gabriel/Sanders thing.

Nitpick or Concern: Shadeur Sanders’s precipitous fall down the draft board has been talked about in great length. The short version is teams didn’t see his talent as being worthy of a first-round pick, and his attitude during the pre-draft process rubbed teams the wrong way. The pre-draft process is a job interview and apparently Shadeur thought teams were supposed to be pitching him on why he should play for them like it was college recruiting. Dillon Gabriel is essentially the exact opposite guy, he was willing to work out for anyone, anytime, anywhere and everybody loves him. He may only ever be a career backup but he will stick around the league for a decade because he’s willing to be a backup, he’ll always be prepared to play if you need him, and he’ll be a locker room leader even if he never takes a snap.

My biggest nitpick about the Sanders pick is that it feels very much like the owner got involved and made the team take him in round five. The team had passed him over six times on the board, including taking a different QB and then they took him in round five, seems strange. The owner, Jimmy Haslam, has interfered before with the QB, he’s the one who wanted the Deshaun Watson trade and signed off on the ridiculous contract Watson got. Then there have been reports he was the one keeping Watson as the starter even when it was clear he wasn’t good. The Achilles tear may be the only thing that has saved the Browns from continuing to endure the Watson saga, except now, the Sanders saga begins. This is not great process and it could end very badly.

Pittsburgh Steelers

(21) Derrick Harmon DT Oregon
(83) Kaleb Johnson RB Iowa
(123) Jack Sawyer Edge Ohio St.
(164) Yahya Black DT Iowa
(185) Will Howard QB Ohio St.
(226) Carson Bruener LB Washington
(229) Donte Kent CB Central Michigan

Immediate Impact: DT Derrick Harmon, RB Kaleb Johnson

There’s a world in which Aaron Rodgers retires instead of signing with the Steelers and all the sudden Will Howard has a way bigger impact if that happens. For now, Harmon steps in as the third starter on the defensive line with Cam Heyward and Keanu Benton and that group is very tough up front. RB Kaleb Johnson is Najee Harris with the same power but far better deep speed to take the ball the distance. For everyone who has Jaylen Warren penciled in as the starter, get out your erasers because Johnson is taking that job.

Best Value: RB Kaleb Johnson

A late round three pick on a starting RB who’s going to go for 1300 yards rushing next year and break off a half dozen big runs and will be in the conversation for Offensive Rookie of the Year, that’s amazing value. Johnson is a perfect scheme fit for Arthur Smith’s offense and he’s everything they wanted Najee Harris to be and never was.

Sleepers: NT Yahya Black, QB Will Howard

You can call me a homer on the back-to-back Johnson and Black picks here but Yahya Black is the perfect Steelers NT. He’s huge at 6’6 336 lbs., he’s immovable in the middle of the line, and he doesn’t care at all about getting credit. He spent the last few years at Iowa just eating up blocks so Jay Higgins and Nick Jackson could fly around and tackle everything in sight. Those are two undersized LBs who would not have been nearly as effective without Black keeping them clean. QB Will Howard only gets a chance to shine if Rodgers isn’t here or if he gets hurt. We know Mason Rudolph is a backup QB; Howard still has some upside that could turn out to be something.

Overall Analysis

Not a huge draft class but they did well with all their picks. Harmon is the heir apparent on this line to Cam Heyward and he’s a worthy successor. Kaleb Johnson couldn’t be a more perfect fit for the offense and he’s basically just an upgraded version of Najee Harris who fits the scheme even better. Edge Jack Sawyer is an athletically limited pass rusher but he just feels like a Steeler. He’s hard-nosed, never quits coming, and they are going to love him in Pittsburgh. It’s a hardhat and lunchpail type of city and he’s a hardhat and lunchpail type of player.

Yahya Black is also going to fit perfectly because he’s coming to work, not saying a thing, and just doing the job. He will never get credit for what he does because they don’t keep stats on those things but he’s going to play in the NFL for a decade as a run stuffing NT. I like the Will Howard pick, if there were two QBs I could have late on day three who could become starters at some point, I think it’s Howard and Kyle McCord. Unfortunately for McCord, he has good QBs in front of him, Howard doesn’t have that problem. LB Carson Bruener is a great story, his dad Mark Bruener played TE for the Steelers for a long time and now he’s a scout for the team. Bruener can be a solid backup and a special team’s ace for now.

Nitpick or Concern: I have to mention the last player as my nitpick and it’s nothing against Donte Kent. I don’t know if he can make the team or not, they aren’t stacked at CB but he’s a small school guy, that’s not my nitpick. They could have taken any number of players from any of the 18 Big Ten schools and completed an All-Big Ten draft class. They went Oregon, Iowa, Ohio St., Iowa, Ohio St., Washington and then screwed it up taking a kid from Central Michigan. If you needed a CB there you could have taken Jermari Harris from Iowa, or Jabbar Muhammed from Oregon, or even DB Sebastian Castro from Iowa who they signed as an undrafted free agent anyway. Sorry Donte Kent, it just would have been cooler if it was an All-Big Ten group.

2025 AFC West Draft Review

Denver Broncos

(20) Jahdae Barron CB Texas
(60) RJ Harvey RB UCF
(74) Pat Bryant WR Illinois
(101) Sai’vion Jones DL LSU
(134) Que Robinson Edge Alabama
(216) Jeremy Crawshaw P Florida
(241) Caleb Lohner TE Utah

Immediate Impact: CB Jahdae Barron, RB RJ Harvey

The Broncos took one of the best defensive backs in the draft in Barron. He can be an elite nickel corner who can switch outside depending on the matchup. They have the best CB in football in Patrick Surtain and Riley Moss played well last year. Now they complete their trio to give them a nice nickel package. Harvey is short but big at 5’8 220 lbs. He has a tough running style with burst and speed and he’ll fit this scheme quite well. He can also catch out of the backfield which is a trait Sean Payton loves.

Best Value: DL Sai’vion Jones

Jones isn’t flashy because he’s a big power end but that’s perfect for this defense. The Broncos have Zach Allen and John Franklin-Myers, two big power ends who don’t have much backing them up. They are also both free agents to be so Jones is a nice hedge against that. He needs to learn a few tricks of the trade and veterans like Allen and Myers are good guys to learn from. He could be a starter for them at DE in 2026.

Sleeper: Edge Que Robinson

Robinson comes from Alabama where there were just waves of elite pass rushers around him his whole career so he never got the chance to be a full-time player. He made the most of his pass rush opportunities but he’s just not very experienced. He’s a bit undersized but that hasn’t been a problem for Denver’s defense, they seem to like those guys.

Overall Analysis

Jahdae Barron is going to be a good pro for a long time, he’s just too good of a football player not to be. RJ Harvey should thrive in Payton’s offense and this team desperately needed a top RB. WR Pat Bryant felt like a bit of a reach in round three. He’s tall but he’s not fast, he’s not particularly big, and he’s not all that athletic. He runs good routes and understands positioning but he feels like a poor man’s Courtland Sutton and I think there were better options on the board; Jalen Royals and Elic Ayomanor for example. He’ll make this roster because they don’t have much behind Sutton but I wouldn’t expect a ton of production.

The Jones and Robinson picks are very good mid-round picks who should help the Broncos defense with depth in the front seven. The defense has been good and these are solid reinforcements and investments for the future. They drafted a punter in the sixth round, the only thing I hate more than drafting a kicker is drafting a punter. They finished up by drafting a TE from Utah who barely played. He was once a basketball player who switched up to finish his college career playing football. Sean Payton may think he can turn him into Jimmy Graham, that’s not going to happen.

Nitpick or Concern: This team needed more WR help than Pat Bryant. At the very least, those last two picks could have been used on guys like Tez Johnson or Kaden Prather. Tez Johnson would have been a nice story with his connection to Bo Nix. He also would have given them a playmaker in the slot.

Kansas City Chiefs

(32) Josh Simmons OT Ohio St.
(63) Omarr Norman-Lott DT Tennessee
(66) Ashton Gillotte Edge Louisville
(85) Nohl Williams CB California
(133) Jalen Royals WR Utah St.
(156) Jeffrey Bassa LB Oregon
(228) Brashard Smith RB SMU

Immediate Impact: OT Josh Simmons, DT Omarr Norman-Lott

Simmons might not start the season as he recovers from his knee injury but he’ll eventually take over at LT. I know they signed Jaylon Moore for too much money but Simmons is the better player. Norman-Lott gives them a nice interior pass rusher and they lack depth there. Chris Jones is working alone at this point and I don’t think Mike Pennel or Jerry Tillery are going to keep Norman-Lott off the field.

Best Value: WR Jalen Royals

No way Royals should have been available in round four. I know he’s coming off an injury but he’s a very talented WR. They have Xavier Worthy and then two guys coming off injury, Hollywood Brown and Rashee Rice. Royals is better than the rest of the depth chart; JuJu Smith-Schuster, Skyy Moore, and Tyquan Thornton are not better than Royals. If I were those guys, I’d be worried.

Sleeper: RB Brashard Smith

At one time in his college career, Smith was a WR. He moved to RB at SMU and he excelled at it despite not being the biggest guy. One thing he is, is fast. He brings a speed element the backfield lacks and he obviously has pass catching skills. He’s basically the Jerick McKinnon starter kit and I think Andy Reid will love him.

Overall Analysis

The Chiefs are obviously a good team with solid roster but they have been good long enough that guys have started to leave as players get more expensive. They need this draft to replenish some spots and they did a solid job. Simmons fills the biggest hole and the one they have barely been papering over for several years. He and Moore give them options if they have injuries too. They lost Derrick Nnadi in free agency after losing others over the years leaving Omarr Norman-Lott a opportunity to find playing time. DE Ashton Gillotte is a powerful prospect who fits their preference and is insurance with Charles Omenihu’s recent injury history and Felix Anudike-Uzomah being undersized and underdeveloped.

CB Nohl Williams has good size and a lot of experience from his time at Cal and he fits the same mold as other CBs in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense. I think WR Royals is a steal and he’s going to allow them to boot some of the dead weight off the WR depth chart. LB Jeffrey Bassa was a good fifth-round pick, he’s fast and fluid running to the ball. He needs a little more power to his game but he’s useful player. I love the Brashard Smith pick for this team, he couldn’t be a better fit for the skills they lack in the backfield.

Nitpick or Concern: As much as I like Brashard Smith they could have used an earlier pick on a guy with more upside or someone who could push Pacheco at RB. The pick where they took Nohl Williams, they could have had a guy like Dylan Sampson or even with the Jeffrey Bassa pick they could have had Devin Neal. Those guys would have been real competition for the starting RB job. Smith is a complementary piece.

Las Vegas Raiders

(6) Ashton Jeanty RB Boise St.
(58) Jack Bech WR TCU
(68) Darien Porter CB Iowa St.
(98) Caleb Rogers OL Texas Tech
(99) Charles Grant OT William & Mary
(108) Dont’e Thornton Jr. WR Tennessee
(135) Tonka Hemingway DL South Carolina
(180) JJ Pegues DT Ole Miss
(213) Tommy Mellott WR Montana St.
(215) Cam Miller QB North Dakota St.
(222) Cody Lindenberg LB Minnesota

Immediate Impact: RB Ashton Jeanty, WR Jack Bech, CB Darien Porter

The Raiders RB group was looking pretty rough before they added Jeanty. He’s a truly talented player who changes the complexion of the offense. He’s a three-down back who can carry the workload for sure. He’s the playmaker they need on offense to go with Brock Bowers. WR Jack Bech is a good WR who doesn’t have great speed but just knows how to win. He’ll come down with the tough catch and he should be additive to an offense that needs guys who can make plays. Porter is walking into a CB room that needs help. He’s a big, raw CB but if anyone can get him ready to play, it’s Pete Carroll, he likes guys like this.

Best Value: CB Darien Porter

An early third round pick who has a chance to start immediately at CB is good value. Porter isn’t going to be the best CB right away but he has talent and physical skills. Carroll has taken mid to late round CBs and turned them into starters early in their careers; think Richard Sherman and Riq Woolen. Porter could be the next one.

Sleeper: OT Charles Grant

Grant has the measurables and the athleticism to be a LT in the NFL. He’s making a major step up in competition coming from William & Mary but it can be done. He may be the heir apparent to Kolton Miller if the Raiders can’t work out an extension for Miller. He may even help them out at guard this year and move outside next year.

Overall Analysis

The Raiders have a big class with 11 players so they took some chances. Jeanty is about as sure of a thing as you get with a RB. He has every skill you need to be a true three-down back. WR Jack Bech is a useful player and that makes him valuable to the Raiders, they don’t have many of those at WR. Porter gives them a good prospect at CB and they need that too. Then in round three they went back-to-back with offensive linemen. Carlos Rogers is a big guy they will move inside. Grant gives them a potential OT of the future.

In round four they took the Al Davis memorial award winner WR Dont’e Thornton Jr. He’s a 6’5 214 lbs. speedster who doesn’t catch all that well. They need a deep threat but I’m not sure Thornton will ever be that guy. They were really into doubling up at positions because after taking two offensive linemen and Thornton, they took two DTs. Tonka Hemingway and JJ Pegues give them two different types of DTs. Hemingway is the smaller, slasher type while Pegues is the bigger body player.

They followed that up with two FCS QBs; Montana St. QB Tommy Mellott and North Dakota St’s QB Cam Miller, clearly, they watched the FCS National Championship game. It’s a little misleading though, they plan to move Mellott to WR and try him in the slot. Miller will be the developmental QB here. LB Cody Lindenberg isn’t making the roster unless it’s as a special teamer.

Nitpick or Concern: They could have done a little more in the secondary. Porter gives them an option at CB but they could use some help at safety. They are also counting on Darnay Holmes to be the nickel back, that could be an issue.

Los Angels Chargers

(22) Omarion Hampton RB North Carolina
(55) Tre Harris WR Ole Miss
(86) Jamaree Caldwell DT Oregon
(125) Kyle Kennard Edge South Carolina
(158) KeAndre Lambert-Smith WR Auburn
(165) Oronde Gadsden II TE Syracuse
(199) Branson Taylor OT Pittsburgh
(214) RJ Mickens S Clemson
(256) Trikweze Bridges CB Florida

Immediate Impact: RB Omarion Hampton, WR Tre Harris

The Chargers signed Najee Harris in free agency but Hampton is going to be the guy for Harbaugh. Hampton is just a more explosive playmaker even if he isn’t a homerun hitter. He’s a better pass catcher than Harris and Harris will just give the Chargers a very reliable backup. WR Tre Harris can be everything the Chargers thought they were getting in Quentin Johnston and more. He’s a true deep threat with good size and ball skills down the field. He will finally give Justin Herbert a downfield playmaker.

Best Value: DT Jamaree Caldwell

The Chargers lost Poona Ford in free agency and while they brought in Teair Tart, they are very thin up front. Caldwell was a late third round pick and he could be very important to the defensive line. He’ll certainly be in the rotation and he might start. He’s a good player with great size and they are in short supply of that.

Sleeper: S RJ Mickens

Mickens is a good safety who played at Clemson and has NFL bloodlines. He dad was long-time NFL CB Ray Mickens. The Chargers have Derwin James and Alohi Gilman but their depth isn’t great and Mickens could be a starter eventually. He could certainly play safety over Tony Jefferson at this point. I think they found a long-term starter in round six.

Overall Analysis

Hampton and Harris are going to help the offense immediately and that’s impressive for a couple of rookies. Those are good draft picks when you pull that off. Caldwell gives them a good player on front line, which they need. Edge rusher Kyle Kennard is a big rush end who gives them some depth they need even if he’s not an elite pass rusher. He could still give them a little more at the position than Bud Dupree.

The next three picks were on offense with another deep threat WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith, he’s sort of the poor man’s Tre Harris. He’s a solid player and with their desperate need to open up the offense he can make this team. If I were Mike Williams, Quentin Johnston, or Derius Davis I wouldn’t feel confident in place on the roster. TE Oronde Gadsden II isn’t scaring Will Dissly or Tyler Conklin but he could be the third TE. OT Branson Taylor is a big man who could be a swing tackle for them. Mickens is a real player at safety but I’m not sure Bridges makes the team, even though they need help at CB.

Nitpick or Concern: They could have done more to help the defense. They need some more depth on the line, they probably could have been more aggressive to upgrade the pass rush, and they needed CB help. They gave the offense an upgrade but I don’t think they upgraded the defense even with the guys I do like.

2025 AFC East Draft Review

Buffalo Bills

(30) Maxwell Hairston CB Kentucky
(41) TJ Sanders DT South Carolina
(72) Landon Jackson DE Arkansas
(109) Deone Walker DT Kentucky
(170) Jordan Hancock CB Ohio St.
(173) Jackson Hawes TE Georgia Tech
(177) Dorian Strong CB Virginia Tech
(206) Chase Lundt OT UConn
(240) Kaden Prather WR Maryland

Immediate Impact: CB Maxwell Hairston

When your roster is as good as the Bills roster, you don’t get a lot of rookies who crack the lineup. Unless your CB depth chart looks this one than Maxwell Hairston has a chance to start. Christian Benford is coming off an injury and they needed help so much they brought back Tre’Davious White, who is coming off a pretty rough year. Hairston wasn’t my favorite CB in this class but he’s a major upgrade for the Bills opposite Benford.

Best Value: DE Landon Jackson

Somehow a 6’6 264 lbs. DE fell all the way to round three for the Bills. Jackson had a good year at Arkansas and while he’s a little stiff, he’s still a productive pass rusher. He’ll be a part of the rotation with Greg Rousseau, AJ Epenesa, and Joey Bosa and if I were a betting man, I would bet he plays in more games than Bosa.

Sleeper: CB Dorian Strong

Christian Benford was a sixth-round pick in 2022 and he turned out to be an excellent CB. The Bills may have pulled it off again. While Hairston gets the name recognition as the first-round pick, Strong could also develop into a good CB. He has more size and plays physical. While he doesn’t have Hairston’s elite speed, he was plenty fast for a CB with a 4.5 40.

Overall Analysis

This team knows it’s offense will be fine as long as Josh Allen is running it so they went defense with the first five picks. Hairston fills a major need while the next three picks focused on the defensive line. They traded up to get DT TJ Sanders in round two. He will give them a nice rotational piece inside. Jackson gives them another DE for the rotation. DT Deone Walker is a lottery ticket. He’s 6’7 331 lbs. and yet he’s not a great run stopper. He probably needs a redshirt type of year. He could learn a lot from DaQuan Jones, he’s a similar type of big man who has been around a long time. Jones is the run stuffer next to Ed Oliver, they need Walker to pick up his game.

The Bills then took CB Jordan Hancock from Ohio St. because they really understood the assignment, fix the secondary. Between Hairston, Hancock, and Strong, one of them should be good. They got some depth pieces on offense with TE Jackson Hawes, OT Chase Lundt, and WR Kaden Prather. I wouldn’t necessarily expect any of those three to make the roster but Hawes could be their blocking TE. Prather has been compared to a poor man’s Keon Coleman but I’m not sure that was a compliment.

Nitpick or Concern: The Deone Walker pick in round four. They definitely needed some interior defensive line help and I can understand thinking a man of his stature is worth the risk, but this team is trying to win now. Walker didn’t have a good year last year and he needs work. There were DTs on the board who could help now. If you wanted a interior pass rusher, Ty Robinson or Cam Jackson were available. A run stuffer? CJ West and Yahya Black were on the board.

Miami Dolphins

(13) Kenneth Grant DT Michigan
(37) Jonah Savaiinaea OG Arizona
(143) Jordan Phillips DL Maryland
(150) Jason Marshall Jr. CB Florida
(155) Dante Trader Jr. S Maryland
(179) Ollie Gordon II RB Oklahoma St.
(231) Quinn Ewers QB Texas
(253) Zeek Biggers DL Georgia Tech

Immediate Impact: DT Kenneth Grant, G Jonah Savaiinaea, DL Jordan Phillips

Give the Dolphins credit, they understood their assignment too. They needed help on the lines, especially the defensive line, and they attacked it. DT Kenneth Grant becomes an immediate starter at NT and he’s a major upgrade. Then they traded up in round two and took Savaiinaea who will start at guard. I’m not sure spending draft capital to move up was the smartest decision but getting a new starting guard was smart. Usually a fifth-round DT wouldn’t be an immediate impact guy but they need bodies on the defensive line and Phillips can play. He will get into the rotation and could play a lot given his skill set.

Best Value: QB Quinn Ewers

Ewers was clearly not for everyone but he’s still a talented QB. He’s also good enough to beat out Zach Wilson for the backup job and being the backup QB in Miami means you may have to play. Getting a QB with Ewers talent in round seven is good value.

Sleeper: RB Ollie Gordon II

The Dolphins have De’Von Achane and Jaylen Wright, both are lean, speed backs and they signed Alexander Mattison to be a bigger body. Mattison has never been all that good but Gordon was very good two years ago. He had a rough year last year like everyone at Oklahoma St. but he’s got great size and power. He would be a great compliment to the Achane and Wright.

Overall Analysis

The Dolphins did a good job of addressing their most pressing needs, both lines. Grant, Savaiinaea, and Phillips are all going to get plenty of playing time, but they aren’t the only ones. CB Jason Marshall Jr. was taken in round five but they are in desperate need of CB help and that’s before they have even traded Jalen Ramsey. Marshall looks the part of an NFL CB, now he has to play like one. S Dante Trader Jr. will also have a chance at playing time. The safety room isn’t much better than the CB one. Gordon and Ewers are talented players who might be guys who develop into useful guys. DT Zeek Biggers is big enough to help at DT, he just needs to work on his development too.

Nitpick or Concern: Trading up to get Jonah Savaiinaea cost them some early draft capital and while they needed a guard, they could have used the extra pick to get a better CB prospect too. I’m not Savaiinaea is so much better at guard than the next guy that it was worth hurting your chances at CB. They need CB help badly.

New England Patriots

(4) Will Campbell OT LSU
(38) TreVeyon Henderson RB Ohio St.
(69) Kyle Williams WR Washington St.
(95) Jared Wilson C Georgia
(106) Craig Woodson S California
(137) Joshua Farmer DT Florida St.
(146) Bradyn Swinson Edge LSU
(182) Andres Borregales K Miami
(220) Marcus Bryant OT Missouri
(251) Julian Ashby LS Vanderbilt
(257) Kobee Minor CB Memphis

Immediate Impact: LT Will Campbell, RB TreVeyon Henderson, WR Kyle Williams, K Andres Borregales

Yes, Will Campbell is the LT, he will be the immediate starter there and Drake Maye can feel confident his blindside is well protected. Henderson is going to be the juiced-up version of James White in Josh McDaniels’s offense. He’s an electric runner who gives this offense some actual playmaking in the backfield. Rhamondre Stevenson is still going to be the primary back for now because Henderson isn’t an every down guy, but Henderson is going to play a lot.

WR Kyle Williams is a welcome addition to a WR group devoid of playmakers. He’s a little undersized but he knows how to get separation better than almost every receiver on the Patriots roster. He also has downfield ability they lack and should make for a great target for Drake Maye.

Borregales was a necessary pick, they have been wandering in the kicker wasteland since the end of the Stephen Gostkowski era about five years ago. Normally I don’t like taking kickers and this has backfired on the Patriots before, hello Chad Ryland, but this was a sixth-round pick not a fourth and it was their eighth pick out of 11 overall picks. This team isn’t going to be great this year but they are going to be competitive and having a good kicker is going to keep them in games.

Best Value: C Jared Wilson

The Patriots traded down in round three with the second pick they had and ended up taking Wilson with the 95th pick. Wilson was the best pure center in the draft with Grey Zabel being the only prospect ranked a head of him at the position and Zabel didn’t play the position in college. Wilson was only a one-year starter at Georgia but he was pretty good and he will give Garrett Bradbury a run for the money to start at center. My money would be on Bradbury for this year because Vrabel will likely stick with the veteran, but Wilson could make it a tough choice.

Sleeper: Edge Bradyn Swinson

I had the Patriots taking Swinson in the third round of my mock draft and they ended up with him in round five. He isn’t an elite edge player because he doesn’t play the run all that well but he has elite pass rushing potential. The Patriots won’t ask him to play on run downs so they can mitigate his weaknesses while adding his pass rush ability to their defense. They need pass rush juice and Swinson has it.

Overall Analysis

I’m not the only one saying this but the Patriots had a terrific draft. The first four picks; Campbell, Henderson, Williams, and Wilson, were all guys taken to support Drake Maye, good strategy. The team spent free agent money on defense and draft capital on offense. When you have a good young QB, you want an offense that will grow with him. These guys could be long-term players around Maye as he grows into the QB he’s going to be over the next five years.

The next three picks were on defense and address areas of need. S Craig Woodson is a hybrid player who could be used as a nickel back and a safety. The Patriots starting safeties are Kyle Duggar, coming off a rough year, and Jabrill Peppers, guy got arrested last year. Both those players are aging and expensive. Woodson gives them a different skill set and some youth. He also gives them a bigger body and probably a healthier one at nickel than Marcus Jones. Farmer give them another penetrating DT to play in the rotation with Milton Williams and Christian Barmore. He fits the attacking interior DT type they want on defense. Edge Bradyn Swinson I already covered, well worth the pick.

I’m not usually a fan of drafting a kicker but like I mentioned the team had 11 picks, it’s hard for that many rookies to make any roster. Using one on a really good kicker when you don’t have a kicker isn’t a bad move. OT Marcus Bryant is a bet on a guy who has all the measurables you want at OT (namely the length Campbell doesn’t have) but isn’t nearly that good. He’s a project.

Nitpick or Concern: As universally loved as this draft was, I am going to nitpick the last two picks. They took a long snapper four picks before TE Luke Lachey was picked in round seven by the Texans. The Patriots ha Joe Cardona at LS (they have now released him), they need a developmental TE, and long snappers generally don’t get drafted, they get signed after the draft. The Patriots also had the last pick in the draft and took CB Kobbe Minor, a guy who has virtually no chance of making this roster. They could have drafted Lachey and then taken a long snapper with Mr. Irrelevant. It’s a tiny nitpick but if Lachey actually becomes a decent TE in the NFL, I’m going to remember this.

New York Jets

(7) Armand Membou OT Missouri
(42) Mason Taylor TE LSU
(73) Azareye’h Thomas CB Florida St.
(110) Arian Smith WR Georgia
(130) Malachi Moore DB Alabama
(162) Francisco Mauigoa LB Miami
(176) Tyler Baron Edge Miami

Immediate Impact: RT Armand Membou, TE Mason Taylor

The Jets got off to a good start getting two immediate starters in Membou and Taylor. Membou slides right in to the RT spot vacated by Morgan Moses and he and Olu Fashanu make nice bookend OTs for the at least the next few years. Taylor is the type of TE who does everything well and nothing at an elite level. On this team, that means he starts. He’s better than every TE they have, and it’s not particularly close.

Best Value: CB Azareye’h Thomas

Thomas was a good player at Florida St. and was rising on draft boards until he went out and ran a slow 40 time and his rise immediately stopped. He’s not fast, but he’s got good height and length and he’s tough. He was a steal in the third round and with Aaron Glenn as his coach, I would bet he reaches his ceiling as a player. If I were Brandon Stephens, their free agent CB signing, I’d be looking over my shoulder.

Sleeper: DB Malachi Moore

Moore was at one time a freshman starter on Nick Saban’s Alabama defense, that usually means good things. He never lived up to that high standard but he was a good player for Alabama. He’s played some in the nickel but he’s best at safety. The Jets’ starting safeties right now are Tony Adams and Andre Cisco, if you tell me Moore is starting by week six, I’ll believe it. He’s another guy who will benefit from playing for Aaron Glenn.

Overall Analysis

Membou, Taylor, and Thomas are great picks and they are going to make the Jets better this season. They aren’t turning the whole thing around but they are some foundational pieces moving forward. The team needed to get better at WR but they pick Arian Smith instead. Smith is a speed demon but he’s not a good receiver. Mauigoa and Baron are back of the depth chart dart throws trying to find some developmental pieces in the front seven. Athletic guys the Jets are taking a chance on.

Nitpick or Concern: The WR depth chart is rough behind Garrett Wilson so Smith could make the team but I wouldn’t be surprised if they get him on the practice field and decide he needs the year on the practice squad, at minimum. The next three WRs off the board were Jaylin Lane, Jalen Royals, and Elic Ayomanor, all three of those guys are better prospects and would help this team sooner. I also think guys like Tory Horton and KeAndre Lambert-Smith offer more upside than Smith.