2025 NFL draft grades reveal Patriots and Giants at the top as every team’s rookie class is ranked from best to worst across the league.
The 2025 NFL Draft is in the books, and it’s time to hand out some instant grades. While these evaluations may be “ridiculously hasty,” they offer a glimpse into how each of the league’s 32 teams fared in reloading their rosters. From offensive overhauls to future franchise quarterbacks, here’s how all the teams stack up based on their draft hauls.
1. New England Patriots (A)
Desperate to build around QB Drake Maye in his second year, the Patriots delivered a masterclass in offensive investment. Their first four picks all addressed that side of the ball: OT Will Campbell, RB TreVeyon Henderson, WR Kyle Williams, and C Jared Wilson. Henderson stands out most, with a dynamic all-purpose game that could transform the offense. Each rookie is expected to contribute early, if not start outright, and could dramatically shift New England’s offensive trajectory.
2. New York Giants (A-)
The Giants made a splash by snagging what may be the best player in the draft—OLB Abdul Carter. The Penn State phenom is drawing Micah Parsons comparisons, even if his choice of Lawrence Taylor’s iconic No. 56 is bold. Equally notable was their trade back into the first round for QB Jaxson Dart. With veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in place, Dart won’t be rushed, allowing for proper development. RB Cam Skattebo, taken in the fourth round, may become a fan favorite thanks to his bruising style.
3. Las Vegas Raiders (A-)
Rookie GM John Spytek impressed in his debut draft. The Raiders nabbed blue-chip RB Ashton Jeanty at No. 6 overall to rejuvenate a dead-last run game. WR Jack Bech could become a favorite target for Geno Smith, while third-rounders CB Darien Porter and OT Charles Grant offer high upside without premium cost.
4. New York Jets (A-)
Despite hiring defensive-minded Aaron Glenn as head coach, the Jets focused on offense—mimicking Detroit’s draft strategy. They bolstered the line with first-round RT Armand Membou and added TE Mason Taylor, son of Jets legend Jason Taylor, in Round 2. CB Azareye’h Thomas and WR Arian Smith round out a group that could help QB Justin Fields—or his eventual replacement.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (B+)
The Steelers are in wait-and-see mode pending Aaron Rodgers’ arrival, but their draft already adds value. DL Derrick Harmon could be the heir to Cam Heyward, while RB Kaleb Johnson might be an upgrade from Najee Harris. Fourth-round edge Jack Sawyer boosts an already loaded pass rush, and QB Will Howard (Round 6) could be a developmental project.
6. Dallas Cowboys (B+)
It wasn’t flashy, but the Cowboys stayed steady. First-round G Tyler Booker fills a need and brings toughness. DE Donovan Ezeiruaku and CB Shavon Revel Jr. were good value picks, and speedy RB Jaydon Blue could surprise. WR depth remains a concern behind CeeDee Lamb.
7. Philadelphia Eagles (B+)
Howie Roseman hit all his trademarks: trades, linemen, and a Georgia defender (LB Smael Mondon Jr.). LB Jihaad Campbell and S Andrew Mukuba were quality early picks, while QB Kyle McCord (Round 6) could develop into a solid backup.
8. Green Bay Packers (B+)
The Packers finally broke their first-round WR drought by taking Matthew Golden, a speedster who gives Jordan Love another weapon. OT Anthony Belton and plus-sized WR Savion Williams add depth and versatility.
9. Houston Texans (B+)
GM Nick Caserio helped QB C.J. Stroud rebound from a rocky sophomore season. WRs Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, plus OT Aireontae Ersery, should strengthen the offense immediately, while extra picks in 2026 from the Laremy Tunsil trade position Houston for long-term success.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars (B+)
New GM James Gladstone made a bold move by trading up for WR/CB Travis Hunter at No. 2 overall. If he lives up to the generational hype, it’ll be worth the hefty price. RB Bhayshul Tuten and CB Caleb Ransaw are intriguing mid-round picks.
11. Denver Broncos (B+)
DB Jahdae Barron could be a first-round steal, and RB RJ Harvey adds backfield explosiveness. WR Pat Bryant brings depth. The Broncos made smart picks, but questions remain about their offensive identity.
12. Seattle Seahawks (B+)
OL Grey Zabel fills a clear need, while S Nick Emmanwori might become a Kam Chancellor-type enforcer. TE Elijah Arroyo and QB Jalen Milroe offer offensive intrigue, especially if Sam Darnold holds steady at QB1.
13. Tennessee Titans (B)
No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward carries immense expectations. He shined at Miami after opting out of the 2024 draft, but time will tell if he’s the franchise savior. The rest of the Titans’ class is forgettable.
14. Kansas City Chiefs (B)
LT Josh Simmons is recovering from injury but could be a major asset. DT Omarr Norman-Lott, DE Ashton Gillotte, and CB Nohl Williams add defensive depth. The Chiefs focused on shoring up the weak spots exposed in Super Bowl 59.
15. New Orleans Saints (B)
The Saints hit needs with OT Kelvin Banks Jr., QB Tyler Shough, and DL Vernon Broughton, all possible 2025 starters. S Jonas Sanker and LB Danny Stutsman bring upside from later rounds.
16. Baltimore Ravens (B)
S Malaki Starks and OLB Mike Green are strong picks, but the latter’s off-field allegations raise serious concerns. Talent-wise, the Ravens improved. Optics-wise, it’s a risky move.
17. Indianapolis Colts (B)
TE Tyler Warren and DE JT Tuimoloau were solid additions. Sixth-round QB Riley Leonard joins the QB carousel, but the Colts still lack a clear direction under center.
18. Detroit Lions (B)
DT Tyleik Williams might’ve been a reach, but GM Brad Holmes and HC Dan Campbell have earned the benefit of the doubt. G Tate Ratledge fits the Lions’ hard-nosed identity.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (B)
WR Emeka Egbuka was a surprising pick but offers reliability. CBs Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish help the defense. The Bucs quietly made smart, developmental picks.
20. Los Angeles Rams (B)
Second-round TE Terrance Ferguson, third-round OLB Josaiah Stewart and fourth-round RB Jarquez Hunter should all be able to claim instant roles on a team that could be the biggest threat to the Eagles in the NFC next season. But the big win was GM Les Snead obtaining the Falcons‘ first-rounder in 2026, which he might wind up using to get QB Matthew Stafford’s successor.
21. Atlanta Falcons (B)
The decision to take QB Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 a year ago has aged well despite all the handwringing at the time. This year, GM Terry Fontenot snagged OLB Jalon Walker at No. 15, potentially one of this draft’s best selections – particularly given the Falcons’ years-long inability to rush the quarterback. Yet dealing back up to No. 26 for OLB James Pearce – generally nothing wrong with doubling down – will likely render as the tipping point. Pearce’s talent is undeniable, so there was a reason he was notably available at that juncture. Also, Fontenot mortgaged that 2026 first-rounder to get him – quite a risk since this team doesn’t exactly appear ready to win the Super Bowl given it still hasn’t managed to claim the NFC South since 2016. Safeties Xavier Watts (Round 3) and Billy Bowman Jr. (Round 4) will add splash plays to a secondary that shed Justin Simmons.
22. San Francisco 49ers (B)
This defense badly needed attention, so credit GM John Lynch for earmarking his first five picks on it. First-round DE Mykel Williams and second-round DT Alfred Collins should help DE Nick Bosa get back to being the dominant player he should be. Third-round LB Nick Martin ought to flourish alongside All-Pro Fred Warner.
23. Washington Commanders (B-)
It was a lighter class in part because veteran CB Marshon Lattimore came at the price of a third- and fourth-rounder at last year’s trade deadline, a transaction that has yet to bear sufficient fruit. Still, GM Adam Peters did a nice job while picking OT Josh Conerly Jr. in the first round and CB Trey Amos in the second. Fourth-round WR Jaylin Lane could capably take over for departed Dyami Brown as the deep threat.
24. Buffalo Bills (B-)
A team that seems oh-so-close to its first Super Bowl breakthrough didn’t seem to come out of this draft with that player or two who seem capable of putting it over the top. We’ll see how the trade up for DT T.J. Sanders in the second round plays out, but going heavy on defense – including Round 1 CB Maxwell Hairston and Round 3 DE Landon Jackson – seemed sensible given how the AFC East champs faltered on that side of the ball down the stretch in 2024.
25. Chicago Bears (B-)
GM Ryan Poles, who’s known for his aggressive maneuvers, continues to build out the support system for second-year QB Caleb Williams. But did Poles hit the optimal notes? Time will tell if first-round TE Colston Loveland was the correct choice over Warren. Poles also stood pat at No. 39 and came away with WR Luther Burden III, who loosely compares to Deebo Samuel, but Chicago missed out on what appeared to be this draft’s top running back prospects. Poles did wind up with three stabs in Round 2, and DT Shemar Turner might have been the best of the trio (OT Ozzy Trapilo being the other).
26. Arizona Cardinals (B-)
Could be an especially wide variance of outcomes with their first two picks, first-round DT Walter Nolen and CB Will Johnson – the latter’s knee issue likely to determine if he was a steal or a player with diminishing returns. Third-rounder Jordan Burch joins a D-line that may be morphing from weakness to strength.
27. Los Angeles Chargers (C+)
Nothing wrong with amassing quality depth. But what if it’s overly redundant? First-round RB Omarion Hampton may not need long to displace fellow banger Najee Harris, but would a back like Henderson have provided a better change-of-pace alternative? Second-round WR Tre Harris is a nice player but not the deep threat this passing game seemingly needs. Outside corner and tight end remain open questions.
28. Cincinnati Bengals (C)
From a macro perspective, they resourced their draft properly by investing heavily in the defense and offensive line – this team’s major issues in 2024 giving up too many points and its ongoing penchant for getting QB Joe Burrow sacked three times a week. But first-round DE Shemar Stewart is your classic boom-or-bust prospect – how often does that work out in Cincinnati? – and going for a pair of linebackers afterward seemed a bit … odd. The best thing that arguably “happened” was retaining 2024 Defensive Player of the Year runner-up Trey Hendrickson on the roster, though it’s past time to address his woefully underfunded contract.
29. Carolina Panthers (C)
They might have overspent on WR Tetairoa McMillan at No. 8. And they might have struck gold on OLB Nic Scourton at No. 51. Fourth-round RB Trevor Etienne is a nice player, though it’s worth wondering if GM Dan Morgan should have attacked other parts of the roster given the presence of recently extended RB Chuba Hubbard and newly signed Rico Dowdle in the backfield.
30. Minnesota Vikings (C)
Previous deals left them with one pick in the top 100, though taking G Donovan Jackson was prudent with QB J.J. McCarthy coming back from his knee injury … even if Jackson is a Buckeye protecting a Wolverine. Otherwise, a team that spent freely in free agency seemed largely relegated to targeting depth, including backup QB Sam Howell via a pick swap.
31. Miami Dolphins (C-)
They absolutely needed to get tougher in the trenches – on both sides of the ball. From that standpoint, spending their only picks ahead of the fifth round on DT Kenneth Grant (Round 1) and G Jonah Savaiinaea (Round 2) made sense. Conversely, were they both slight reaches relative to their draft position or even the best available options at their respective positions? The team’s spotty track record, especially on the O-line, makes one wonder.
32. Cleveland Browns (I – for incomplete)
Think this assessment is a copout? Fine. But there’s no legitimate way to know what to make of this until the bigger picture comes into focus – at least a year from now. It’s tough to even know where to begin.
