Live 2025 NFL Draft Grades: Picks 17-32

2025 NFL Draft Grades for Picks 17-32:

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M – D Grade
    The Bengals really wanted to trade down, but couldn’t do so. Instead, they made the same mistake they made in a recent draft. They selected Myles Murphy as a high-upside player with no production, and he busted. They just drafted his clone, as Stewart had 4.5 sacks throughout his entire collegiate career.
    
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18. Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel, OT/G/C, North Dakota State – A Grade
    Like the Bengals, the Seahawks wanted to trade out. They couldn’t do so, but it’s probably for the best because it forced them to draft a talented offensive lineman to protect Sam Darnold. Grey Zabel was awesome at the Senior Bowl, and he can play every position. The Seahawks still need lots of help up front, but this was a nice start.
    
    
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State – MILLEN Grade
    HUUUUHHHHHH!?!??! What a strange pick. The Buccaneers not only re-signed Chris Godwin; they also drafted Jalen McMillan last year. Oh, and they have Mike Evans. Why do they need another receiver? What about the horrible defense? What is happening with this bizarre draft? This is a reach, and it doesn’t fill a need at all. A team drafting too many receivers sounds like a Millen to me.
    
    
20. Denver Broncos: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas – A+ Grade
    This isn’t one of Denver’s biggest needs, but it was a need. We saw a lack of cornerback depth during the Monday night shootout against Jameis Winston. The running backs were widely projected, but running backs can be safely obtained on Day 2. Getting one of the top corners in the class at No. 20 when he was being discussed in the top 10 is amazing value. Great pick!
    
    
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon – A Grade
    Derrick Harmon is an extremely athletic and talented defensive lineman. The Steelers were hoping he would fall to them so he could replace Cameron Heyward. He comes with some medical concerns, but the Steelers are OK with his medical, so this selection makes sense. It must be noted that this wasn’t Shedeur Sanders, which is fine because it means that Aaron Rodgers is likely to sign with the team. Pittsburgh is expected to draft a quarterback in Round 4 and perhaps one in 2026 or 2027.
    
    
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina – B Grade
    Jim Harbaugh wants to run the ball, so it should come as no surprise that he drafted a running back with this pick. Omarion Hampton is a talented back, so he’ll definitely provide a big boost to the offense. I would normally criticize a first-round running back who isn’t elite, but this is a weak class, so the 20s are basically the second round in a normal year.
    
    
23. Green Bay Packers: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas – A Grade
    I hated the idea of Matthew Golden going in the 12 range because while he has great speed, he didn’t put together the best production at Texas. However, Golden provides much more value at No. 23. He gives the Packers something they desperately needed, which was a dynamic speed threat at receiver. Josh Jacobs said that Green Bay needed a wideout, and the team wisely listened.
    
    
24. Minnesota Vikings: Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State – B Grade
    I love what the Vikings have done with their offensive line this offseason. They signed Ryan Kelly and Will Fries, and now they have Donovan Jackson. I like Jackson as a prospect, but thought he could fall to Round 2. I would have chosen one of the safeties, but this is a fine selection.
    
    
25. New York Giants: Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss – C+ Grade
    It was obvious the Giants would draft a quarterback when they traded up to No. 25, but I actually thought that one of the safety picks would have been better. Jaxson Dart is not a first-round prospect, so the Giants shouldn’t have traded up for him, although two third-round picks isn’t the worst compensation to surrender. I get this pick, but New York should have been more patient. Dart could have easily fallen to them.
    
    
26. Atlanta Falcons: James Pearce, DE, Tennessee – A Grade
    The Falcons were debating Mykel Williams, Shemart Stewart, and James Pearce at No. 15 before Jalon Walker fell to them. They must have been absolutely shocked that he was there at No. 26. I’m not crazy about trading away first-round picks, but I think this makes sense. Pearce was one of the top players available whom the Falcons were considering in the opening half of this first round, and Atlanta is in win-now mode, given how bad the NFC South is.
    
    
27. Baltimore Ravens: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia – A+ Grade
    Once again, the Ravens land a talented player who inexplicably falls to them. What a surprise. Malaki Starks easily could have gone in the teens, so he’s an outstanding pick. Not only does he provide great value; he also fills a huge need. The Ravens had major problems stopping the pass last year, so they had to move Kyle Hamilton from linebacker to safety. With Starks on the roster, Hamilton can move back to linebacker.
    
    
28. Detroit Lions: Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State – D Grade
    I said we’d see some bizarre picks in the 20s, and here we go. Tyleik Williams was a mid-second-round prospect at best, so I don’t understand why Detroit drafted him at No. 28. This is a reach. It’s not an insane reach, but definitely a reach. There were definitely better options at this spot.
    
    
29. Washington Redskins: Josh Conerly, OT/G, Oregon – A Grade
    The Redskins acquired Laremy Tunsil, but they still needed one more offensive lineman. They were rumored to like Tyler Booker, but Josh Conerly makes sense as well. Conerly is a very athletic lineman who can play tackle and guard. This versatility will definitely help the Redskins, and I’m sure Jayden Daniels will be happy about this.
    
    
30. Buffalo Bills: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky – A- Grade
    I was hoping for a pass rusher here, given that the Bills likely saw what the Eagles did to their arch-nemesis Chiefs in the Super Bowl. Still, Maxwell Hairston is a very good pick. He’s a stellar cornerback prospect who fits the system, and he was discussed as someone who could have gone in the early 20s. He fills a huge need.
    
    
31. Philadelphia Eagles: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama – A+ Grade
    Jihaad Campbell could have easily gone in the teens. It was shocking to see him fall, and that may have been a byproduct of some injury concerns. Still, he provides way too much value at this spot. Campbell can play both linebacker and edge, much like Haason Reddick. The Eagles got a ton of production out of Reddick, so it makes sense for them to draft Campbell.
    
    
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State – A- Grade
    This is a scary pick. Josh Simmons tore his patella tendon, an injury that has ended many NFL careers. Reports indicate that Simmons is doing well medically, but it’s difficult to know if that’s legit. However, the Chiefs needed to take a risk to fix Patrick Mahomes’ pass protection with so many offensive linemen off the board. If Simmons is healthy, he’ll be amazing for the Chiefs. He would have been a top-10 lock if he didn’t have any medical issues.