Best Picks of The 2025 NFL Draft

Now that we’re in the dead point in the sporting calendar, I want to revisit the NFL Draft from back in April. For a draft that was said to be missing the “star power” of previous years, the 2025 Draft had more than it’s fair share of drama. From the Shedeur Sanders slide to a trade for the #2 overall pick, there was plenty of excitement in this draft. Even though some said it lacked star power, it was a deep class in some key positions. This draft was loaded at and will likely shape the positions of running backs, defensive tackles, and tight ends for years to come. Below the list of the best draft picks of the 2025 draft, where I narrowed it down to four picks per round. Reminder, a lot of things go into making an elite draft pick and it’s not necessarily just who will be the best player. The value of the pick, player’s ability, and their fit with their new team are all heavily taken into account. There are some players I loved but didn’t love the fit and some players I don’t love but they slipped and were taken at a great value.

Round 1

Abdul Carter

1.03 to New York Giants

Abdul Carter is the latest of a long lineage of dominant linebackers from Penn State. Carter moved from a linebacker to edge rusher in 2024 and his draft stock soared with his improved production. He tallied 12 sacks and a whopping 24 TFL this past season. What really pops off the screen from Carter is his quickness off the ball. That burst combined with his power and bend around the corner nearly made him impossible to block. His performance in his three College Football Playoffs with a bum shoulder, really stand out to me. The Giants doubled down on a position of strength for them. Carter will be joining Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence, and Kayvon Thibodeaux on an otherworldly talented defensive line. The Giants avoided reaching for a player at a position of need and taking the best prospect on the board. I personally think Abdul Carter was the best prospect in this draft. The scariest part is that 2024 was his first season at the edge rusher position. Carter will only continue to get nastier coming off the edge for this stacked Giants pass rush.

Jalon Walker

1.15 to Atlanta Falcons

This Georgia linebacker will bring athleticism and versatility to the Atlanta Falcons immediately. I had Jalon Walker as a lock for a Top 10 pick. His versatility will allow him to fit into any defensive scheme. Walker is projected to play a majority of his snaps at edge rusher but he can also play the off-ball linebacker position. He is a dynamic athlete that uses his athleticism and hands to disengage would-be blockers. Throughout his time at Georgia, he thrived when he was playing downhill. Similar to his fellow collegiate #11 (Abdul Carter), Walker is relatively new to rushing the passer. He will prove as time progresses but his ability to close and agility will ease his continued growth. The Atlanta Falcons have had one of the worst pass rushes in the NFL for several years now. They invested heavily in pass rushing drafting Walker and James Pearce in the first round. Walker might not post large sack numbers early in his career, but his impact will immediately be felt in Atlanta.

Malaki Starks

1.27 to Baltimore Ravens

Teams like the Ravens stay relevant year after year because they almost always crush the draft. This pick was no exception as they landed 3-year Georgia starter Malaki Starks. He racked up 197 career tackles and 6 interceptions to go along with making the 2023 All American Team. Starks can do it all at the safety position by providing support in the run and being a ballhawk on the back end. The incredible tangible traits and skills by the Georgia safety are matched by intangible skills. Malaki Starks has already developed the ability to quickly recognize and anticipate with elite football intelligence. The pick of Starks will allow more freedom for Baltimore star Kyle Hamilton this season. Hamilton was drafted as a safety but has started to play some snaps at the nickel. The experience Starks brings to the table will make him an immediate impact performer.

Jihaad Campbell

1.31 to Philadelphia Eagles

We’re at the point with Howie Roseman and the Eagles where I’m just going to assume their draft picks are going to pan out. Philly’s First Round pick this year was athletic linebacker from Alabama, Jihaad Campbell. Campbell had 117 tackles and 5 sacks this season with the Crimson Tide. He is a fast linebacker, 4.52 40-yard dash, that thrives when he’s playing downhill. Right now, Campbell excels at filling gaps and he rarely misses tackles from his linebacker position. His coverage ability is a work in progress, but he has the skillset to develop those abilities in the NFL. The Super Bowl Champion Eagles don’t have a lot of voids in their roster. Campbell will get some reps right away, as Nakobe Dean will be working back from an injury suffered in the playoffs. Campbell is the latest in a line of Eagles selections from former SEC teams that I expect to be stars in Philadelphia.

Round 2

TreVeyon Henderson

2.06 to New England Patriots

As the Ohio State Buckeyes were on their path to a National Championship, TreVeyon Henderson starred as the games got more important. Henderson honestly could have entered the draft last season, but decided to return to Columbus. He is a speedy back that is a threat to take it to the house on any play. If anyone doubts this, please re-watch his 75 yard screen pass against Texas in the CFP. This cracked that game wide open for the Buckeyes. TreVeyon is a one cut and upfield type of back that is a perfect complement for the more punishing Rhamondre Stevenson in this Patriots backfield. New England is looking to build around second year quarterback Drake Maye. They don’t have an elite offensive line and don’t have a top tier wide receiver room. Henderson helps resolve these issues for the Patriots. He is a threat catching out of the backfield and does a tremendous job in pass protection. I expect Maye to quickly build trust with Henderson as the future looks bright in New England.

Luther Burden III

2.07 to Chicago Bears

Similar to the Patriots, the Bears are looking to improve in Year 2 under their potential franchise quarterback. Chicago is looking to set up Williams by adding Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III in the first two rounds of the draft. Getting Burden out of Missouri in the 2nd round is an absolute steal. Statistically, 2024 was a significant drop in production from Burden’s 1,200 yard season in 2023. Despite that, the flashes were still there and the production drop was not all Burden’s fault. He is a YAC machine that sees the field clearly with the ball in his hands. For Chicago, the Missouri product will fit perfectly into the the slot void in their offense. In college he operated out of the slot a ton using his quickness to get open. The Bears will look to get the ball in Burden’s hands in all sorts of ways, allowing the game changer to create easy completions for his young quarterback. We saw Ben Johnson turn Amon-Ra St. Brown into a star as he operated out of the slot. I’m not saying he is St. Brown, but I think there’s a real chance we look back on Burden as one of the steals of the draft.

Will Johnson

2.15 to Arizona Cardinals

When you get a player that was almost unanimously considered a first round pick in the second round, that’s a win for your franchise. That is exactly what Arizona got as the Michigan corner slipped into the second round. Will Johnson was a big time performer for three years at Michigan, including being a lock down corner during their National Championship season. He is a fluid athlete that has proven he can excel playing both zone and man to man. Will also has great size for a corner at 6’2 and just under 200 pounds. Many people had him listed as the best pure cornerback in the draft. The fall into the second round can only be explained by Johnson’s recent injuries. Those injuries limited Johnson to just 6 games in 2024. I admit, I have no clue what his medical records look like. However, I still think this was a win for the Arizona Cardinals. Their defense was one of the worst in the NFL last season. Adding a playmaking cornerback with the potential to be a lockdown specialist will only help that. If Johnson can stay healthy, he has a great chance to be the best cornerback the Cardinals have had since Patrick Peterson.

Benjamin Morrison

2.21 to Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay found themselves a cornerback that will be a starter from the moment he’s healthy. Benjamin Morrison is recovering from an injury that cost him the last half of his final season at Notre Dame. He was a three year starter for the Fighting Irish and made an immediate impact as a Freshman. Please watch Morrison’s performances against Clemson in 2022 and Ohio State (matched up against Marvin Harrison Jr.) in 2023 to see why scouts have had eyes on him for years. He does not rely on size or speed, but is a sound technician with great ball skills. His fluid movements and IQ allow him to trick unexperienced quarterbacks to throwing in his direction. In 2023, Morrison allowed only a 29.2 passer rating when targeted according to PFF. With 9 career interceptions, any pass thrown in Morrison’s direction is a dangerous decision. Along with the two prior entries on this list, Luther Burden III and Will Johnson, I believe Morrison was a first round talent. I expect him to solidify Tampa’s secondary for years to come.

Round 3

Darius Alexander

3.01 to New York Giants

Darius Alexander did not have a ton of buzz heading into the draft since he played at a smaller school. However, the Toledo prospect was one of my favorite picks of the third round. He is a disruptive force in the middle of the defense and provides more versatility than the average defensive tackle. The big man only recorded 9 sacks throughout his collegiate tenure, but those numbers are deceiving. Alexander was a force primarily in his last two years and made plays even if they didn’t result in sacks for himself. New York got even richer at the defensive line position. Alexander will team up with “Sexy Dexy” on the interior of the Giants defensive line. While New York may not be a championship contender this year, they will make life a nightmare for opposing offenses. On a side note, please look up Alexander’s pick six in Toledo’s bowl game. I love a big man touchdown and his “thicc six” was one of my favorite plays of the year.

Princely Umanmielen

3.13 to Carolina Panthers

Carolina made it their mission to beef up their pass rush on the edge. Their defense had the fourth fewest sacks in the NFL last season, getting to the quarterback just 32 times. Adding Ole Miss star Princely Umanmielen is a step in solving this problem. Princely racked up an impressive 25.5 sacks and 40 TFL throughout his collegiate career. He was very productive throughout his last 3 collegiate seasons in the SEC (2 at Florida and 1 at Ole Miss). In college, the veteran pass rusher showed the ability to rush with both speed and power. While Princely is not the fastest around the edge, he’s an explosive athlete that excels at using his hands. One knock on him could be a lack of expert-level skill. An area where Princely excels is play recognition and playing within his role. Umanielen is an NFL ready player that could look to make an immediate impact in Carolina.

Jalen Milroe

3.28 to Seattle Seahawks

For anyone that followed college football over the past few seasons, few players were as exciting as Jalen Milroe. It’s rare once you reach the collegiate level to have the quarterback be the best on the team. At Alabama, that was the case with their star quarterback. Milroe is 6’2, pure muscle, runs a 4.4 40 yard dash, and has a rocket for an arm. As a member of the Crimson Tide, Milroe was the definition of a dual threat quarterback. In 2024, he threw for 2,800 yards and rushed for 20 touchdowns. He struggled with accuracy and at times tried to go for the big play instead of taking the easy pass. Milroe is a very accurate deep ball passer, but needs to work on accuracy in other facets of passing to take the next step. That’s why it’s a great fit for him in Seattle. The Seahawks signed Sam Darnold this offseason so Milroe can learn the offense and improve as a passer. If he can improve his accuracy and mature as a passer, I think he could be a high level starter in the NFL. At the very least, you’ve got an electric weapon to play in certain packages at the quarterback position.

Xavier Watts

3.32 to Atlanta Falcons

How Xavier Watts lasted until the end of the 3rd round, I have no idea. At Notre Dame, Watts had 13 interceptions in his final two seasons, was a two-time All American, and won the Nagurski award in 2023. The former All American can do it all from the safety position. Watts was a rangy ballhawk that makes plays near the line of scrimmage and on the back end in coverage. Even though he makes his biggest impact in the passing game, Watts is a willing and efficient run defender. For anyone doubting Watts’ defensive expertise, please re-watch the Irish plays USC in both 2023 and 2024. He created game changing turnovers that helped the Fighting Irish claim victory in the rivalry for consecutive years. After starting his career at Notre Dame at Wide Receiver, Watts transitioned to the defensive side of the ball. So there is still growth for him in Atlanta. The Falcons are looking for a Justin Simmons replacement, and Watts fits that bill perfectly. I had Watts as a late first round/early second round pick, so Atlanta found value in someone that could start in the back end of their defense for years to come.

Round 4

CJ West

4.11 to San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers addressed the trenches on the defensive side of the ball with purpose in the 2025 Draft. I, for one, absolutely love this dedication. Games are won in the trenches and San Francisco knows that from successful teams they’ve had in the past. CJ West is a behemoth of a man coming in at 6’1, 320 lbs. West is an immovable object in the run game that can clog up any hole the offense tries to create. He will come into the NFL and immediately make an impact as a run defender. For such a big man, West has a surprisingly quick burst as a pass rusher. I doubt many people expected him to be a 4th Round draft pick entering the season. After 4 seasons at Kent State, West transferred to Indiana. He handled the increased competition with ease and will be looking to do so in the NFL. While not the flashiest pick, a disruptive defensive tackle is a game changer.

Lathan Ransom

4.20 to Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers enter 2025 with optimism, while having several roster holes to fill. Safety was one of these voids and it was filled by Ohio State prospect Lathan Ransom. The Buckeyes defense was loaded with big names, Ransom was a name that often got lost in the shuffle. He was a leader on the back end that excelled in run support. This fit perfectly as the Panthers were the worst defense against the run last season, allowing 179.8 yards per game. At times, Ransom was inconsistent at tackling and isn’t the most fluid in pass coverage. However, I see the vision for Ransom to succeed. He is a smart player that recognizes plays with ease and puts himself in the correct position routinely. Ransom enters the 2025 season with the potential to start or play a significant role immediately.

Jack Sawyer

4.21 to Pittsburgh Steelers

Sawyer is a classic example of people getting too caught up in the measurables as opposed to production. I think Sawyer should have gone on Day 2, but he finds a perfect fit in Pittsburgh. I’ve talked about it throughout this piece, but here’s another instance of the rich getting richer. Sawyer will likely be a rotational player to start as he’s behind stars TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith. He is coming off a career best season for Ohio State where he tallied 9 sacks, 7 passes defensed, 1 interception, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 defensive touchdowns. The former Buckeye excels with his physicality. Against the run he sets the edge and attacks while being dominant with his power rushing moves attempting to get to the passer. One of Sawyer’s biggest advantages is a world class motor. To stop him, you’ll need to be ready to play through the whistle. He does lack the burst of a true dominant edge player, but his power and effort will make sure he is an impact player for years to come. Great value and culture pick for the Steelers in Round 4.

Elic Ayomanor

4.34 to Tennessee Titans

A lot of teams have to decide between a position of need and the best player available. Tennessee was able to do both here late in Round 4. Elic Ayomanor is coming off two incredibly productive seasons for struggling Stanford teams. He is a strong receiver that excels using his frame and making contested catches. To go along with the size and strength combo, he also has surprising 4.4 speed. The culmination of all this skill can be seen in Elic’s 294 yard, 3 touchdown outburst against Colorado two seasons ago. Ayomanor has everything you’re looking for in a modern NFL receiver. If it weren’t for some issues with dropped passes, Ayomanor would have been selected much earlier. He enters a Titans receiving room begging for someone to claim a starting spot. What is vital for his potential success is earning the trust of #1 overall pick Cam Ward. If he’s able to do so, we could see Ayomanor as a late route steal and long term contributor for the Titans.

Round 5

Shedeur Sanders

5.06 to Cleveland Browns

Now we get to the most controversial pick of the entire draft. Whether you’re a fan of Sanders or not, he is a steal in the 5th Round. I did have Shedeur as a 1st Round talent but I still thought of him as a Round 2 or 3 pick. Sanders excels with precision passing and his ability to make any throw. Across his two years at Colorado, Sanders had eye-popping stats and was even a Heisman Trophy Finalist. Last season he threw for 4,340 yards and 37 touchdowns and 74% completion percentage. Critics claimed he relied on check down passes too much. Even if that were true, which it’s not, 74% completion is still absurd. Sanders is not incredibly mobile, but he buys time in the pockets and makes plays. Please watch his Hail Mary against Baylor to see exactly what I’m referring to. Originally, I didn’t love the fit in Cleveland since they already selected Oregon star Dillon Gabriel. After some thought, I remembered how big of a dumpster fire the quarterback position is for the Browns. Sanders has some question marks, but finds himself a tremendous opportunity in Cleveland.

Bradyn Swinson

5.08 to New England Patriots

After a quiet collegiate career, Swinson had a burst of production in his final season. He tallied 8.5 sacks which was more than his initial four seasons combined. Swinson proved the talent of the SEC offensive lineman was no hindrance for his domination. Per the 33rd Team, had a 20.1 pressure rate which was one of the best in the country. For New England, they have emphasized improvement on both the offensive and defensive lines during free agency. This strategic investment carried over into the draft. The LSU stand out will have the opportunity to learn under proven pass rushers until his time comes. When the moment appears, Swinson will rely on violent hands, bend, and power to produce. Swinson should have gone much earlier than Round 5, and the Patriots took advantage adding him to a loaded draft class.

Marcus Mbow

5.18 to New York Giants

Marcus Mbow is an interesting prospect that will need some time to develop before truly contributing in the NFL. He is most experienced as a tackle during his time at Purdue. However, he is a bit undersized at the position which will likely cause a transition to guard at the professional level. Despite his physical limitations, Mbow has the confidence and versatility to play all three positions on the offensive line. In the modern era of the NFL, versatility is becoming infinitely more valuable. When it comes to technique, this Day 3 selection plays with balance and great hand usage. My favorite thing about Mbow is the violence that he plays with. Mbow is a classic “mauler” type that climbs to the next level and buries defenders. With the proper time to develop, Mbow could be a quality starter in the league for years to come.

Chris Paul Jr.

5.36 to Los Angeles Rams

Insert obligatory joke about NBA star Chris Paul. The Ole Miss version of Chris Paul had a fantastic season during his first season in Oxford. Chris Paul Jr. recorded 88 tackles, 11 TFL, 3.5 sacks, and an interception. His 2024 performance earned him an 84.6 PFF run-defense grade and an 84.0 pass-rush grade. There were some concerns about his short arms and slight build for the linebacker position. With all the question marks, I urge anyone to watch Paul play. Ole Miss boasted a dominant defense and Paul was consistently jumping of the screen. He possesses two qualities that all elite linebackers have: elite pursuit and rarely missing tackles. Throughout his collegiate career, you could also see his play recognition improve with repetition. His fit in Los Angeles should be great as the Rams have been looking for a long term linebacker for several years. Behind that elite defensive line, I think Chris Paul Jr. could really take this Rams defense to the next level.

Round 6

Devin Neal

6.08 to New Orleans Saints

Neal is one of my favorite running backs in this draft. He is another player that didn’t test off the charts at the combine or his pro day. I love Neal’s patience at the line of scrimmage. He waits for the hole to develop and then uses his quick burst to power down the field. Neal doesn’t have the break away speed, but that shouldn’t faze Saints fans at all. The patience paired with his great vision and agility makes up for not running a 4.4 40-yard dash. Devin also has power to run through arm tackles or smaller defenders. Off the field, he was arguably the most important catalyst that turned around a Kansas football program that was once a laughing stalk. In my eyes, Neal will have the ability to earn some snaps right away. Saint’s star Alvin Kamara has been incredible and won me many fantasy football games, but the legend is sadly not getting any younger. If the former Jayhawk, makes the most of each opportunity given to him in 2025, he could see his usage increase sooner rather than later.

Ahmed Hassanein

6.20 to Detroit Lions

Ahmed Hassanein is a prospect that might not produce for Detroit early, yet could still become a real contributor in the league. In his final 2 season at Boise State, he combined for 22 sacks and 33 tackles for loss. While the sack numbers jump off the page, Hassanein is a willing and effective defender against the run. The former Boise State star is definitely raw as a prospect and hasn’t been playing football for long after moving from Egypt. With all that being said, he’s a powerful athlete that plays with incredible effort at all times. His hand usage and pass rush moves will improve with repetition. The power and effort are two things you can’t teach and every coach loves. Also, this guy just screams Dan Campbell favorite if you ask me. The Lions don’t have a drastic need at the edge rusher position. However, taking a flyer on a developmental player like Hassanein is worth it for Detroit.

Cameron Williams

6.31 to Philadelphia Eagles

This pick is absolutely perfect. Cameron Williams is a mammoth of a human being that played well during his time at Texas. Similar to many of his Day 3 counterparts, Williams will be a developmental player to start in Philly. He has all the qualities you look for in an NFL offensive tackle. Williams is massive, quick, and showcases a mean streak, especially in the run game. The Texas tackle could improve with his sets and footwork when it comes to pass protection. Thankfully for his progression, Williams will be behind Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson to start off his career. What makes this pick even better is that Philadelphia and offensive line coach, Jeff Stoutland, are great at developing that position. If Big Cam can learn from those All Pro tackles and improve his technique, he could be yet another elite tackle for the Eagles.

RJ Mickens

6.38 to Los Angeles Chargers

At this point of the the draft, it’s all about finding value and/or hidden gems. The Chargers picking Mickens at the end of Round 6 (pick 214) when many experts had him ranked in as a top 115-120 prospect, is exactly how you find value late. Mickens racked up 112 tackles and earned a 92.4 PFF grade across his five seasons at Clemson. He really excels in the run game and has great play recognition. Mickens routinely knows what the offense is trying to do and positions himself to make big plays. This was showcased by 14 tackles for loss, 7 interceptions, and 12 passes defended throughout his career. He does not possess elite athleticism in coverage regarding speed or change of direction. This again highlights the importance of Mickens football intelligence. Jim Harbaugh loves smart physical football players, so I expect Mickens to find his way onto the field.

Round 7

Quinn Ewers

7.15 to Miami Dolphins

Based on recent talk and the fact that he fell to the 7th Round, it’s looking like I’m one of the few Quinn Ewers believers left. He definitely struggled at times during his final season at Texas. There was a lot of struggle with his deep ball and both his pocket presence and increase in interceptions were a major cause for concern. As a Ewers defender, I would like to indicate that he dealt with injuries throughout his college career. He also brought Texas back to national prominence falling just one game short of a National Title appearance in back to back years. When things are rolling for Ewers, he can make every throw and extends plays with his legs. The pedigree and talent is there and that makes Quinn a potential steal in the last round. I love the fit in Miami as we’ve seen Tua get hurt often in his career. I think Ewers would serve as a great backup and excel in an offense where he is getting the ball out quickly to playmakers.

Kyle Monangai

7.17 to Chicago Bears

Monangai was one of the most underrated running backs in college football over the past 2 seasons. He topped 1,200 yards and 5Y/A in both seasons. This is even more impressive considering the struggling Rutgers offense. All the offense really excelled at was running the ball. Teams loaded the box to stop Monangai and he still managed to put up huge numbers. Unfortunately for Monangai, he isn’t the prototypical running back the NFL is looking for in the modern era. He does not have breakaway speed and is unproven as a pass catcher. What the Rutgers star does have is the ability to run for power and make quick cuts. Monangai isn’t going to run past you but he is going to run through you and make you miss with a quick cut. At Rutgers, he also never fumbed in 669 rushing attempts. He will have the chance to get meaningful carries during his rookie campaign in Chicago. It is Ben Johnson’s first season with the Bears and neither D’Andre Swift or Roschon Johnson were exceedingly impressive last season. We’ve seen late round running backs, even one that was also from Rutgers, produce early in their NFL careers.

Mason Richman

7.18 to Seattle Seahawks

I could honestly knock this out in just a few sentences. Richman was a four year starter at left tackle for Iowa, starting a total of 52 games at the position. The Iowa Hawkeyes are built in the trenches, so a four year starter in Iowa City is nothing to take lightly. The question marks for Richman include limited mobility and he doesn’t show the mean streak that the best offensive lineman possess. With that being said, there are some things I love about the former Hawkeye. Richman possesses great size, constantly puts himself in great position, and only allows 2 sacks across 316 pass blocking snaps in a loaded Big 10 conference. The Seahawks did a great job investing in their offensive line this draft and Richman is no exception there. He won’t start right away, but provides consistent, dependable play. Don’t be surprised to see Richman as a plug and play tackle in Seattle for years to come.

Ricky White III

7.22 to Seattle Seahawks

White’s stock took a tumble due to a drop in production in 2024 and not testing well in the pre-draft process. In 2023, White caught 88 catches for 1,483 yards and 8 touchdowns. Even though I stated the numbers decreased, he still eclipsed the 1k yards mark and caught 11 touchdowns. Throughout his career at UNLV, he proved to be a smart route runner and is tough going over the middle. One of my favorite things about White is his ability to high-point 50-50 passes, creating great opportunities for his offense. The Seahawks wide receiver room will be revamped, leaving opportunities for both Ricky White III and his rookie counterpart Tory Horton. Another edge that White has to both make this roster and make an impact is his performance on special teams. This is incredibly important for Day 3 picks and White blocked 4 punts this past season. White has plenty of opportunity and will be making winning plays for the Seahawks on Sundays soon.

The great thing about the draft is that we have absolutely no clue how it turns out. It makes us all look like idiots. It doesn’t matter if you’re an NFL GM or a complete casual, your draft takes will be wrong. With that being said, lists like this help me think through the draft and are also fun to look through years later. For example, I just looked through my 2024 draft recap. It might just be a year later, but let me just say…………. yikes. As always, let me know which prospects I missed or what picks I love that you think might be busts.