NFL Draft Grades 2025

2025 NFL Draft Grades for Picks 1-16:

1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami – A Grade
   I’ve seen opinions from NFL media people that the Titans should eschew a quarterback and draft Travis Hunter instead. While Hunter is the safer prospect, I believe the Titans are correct in selecting Cam Ward because he gives them the most upside for the next decade. Ward isn’t on the level of the top quarterbacks from a year ago, but he provides great rushing ability with plenty of passing talent. The Titans have needed a franchise quarterback for a long time, and it seems as though they’ve finally found one.
   
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2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado – C- Grade
   It makes sense for the Jaguars to draft the best player available, and that would be Travis Hunter. Some would argue Abdul Carter, but there’s a Carter in many drafts. There’s never been a player like Hunter who can be elite at two positions. However, trading a 2026 first-round pick to move up three spots for a non-quarterback is insane. I guess we can’t be surprised that a Browns general manager bullied a new Jaguars general manager into a poor trade. Despite his poor dancing, Hunter will likely be great. But Jacksonville should have remained at No. 5.
   
   
3. New York Giants: Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State – A- Grade
   We return to normalcy. The one argument you can make about this pick is that it doesn’t satisfy a need. The Giants have tons of needs, but they had a quality edge rush last year. However, Carter is the best player available, and Kayvon Thibodeaux has an expiring contract in the near future. Besides, you can never have too many talented pass rushers, especially in a division with Jalen Hurts and Jayden Daniels.
   
   
4. New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT/G, LSU – A+ Grade
   The Patriots could have been scared off by Will Campbell’s short arms, but I think this would have been a huge mistake. Plenty of offensive linemen with short arms have thrived over the years. Campbell has elite tape and athleticism. In fact, prior to the 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Combine, only two offensive linemen recorded his level of athleticism: Trent Williams and Tristan Wirfs. That’s pretty great company! The Patriots obviously made the correct pick here to find much-needed protection for Drake Maye.
   
   
5. Cleveland Browns: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan – A Grade
   I’d probably give the Browns a “B” grade for Mason Graham in a vacuum. Some people in the NFL didn’t like his body type at all and even ranked Kenneth Grant ahead of him. He should still be a very good player. However, I’m bumping this up to an “A” grade because the Browns stole a first-round pick away from the Jaguars. This will put the Browns in a great position to land their quarterback of the future in 2026.
   
   
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State – C- Grade
   I’m not crazy about this pick. Ashton Jeanty is obviously a great running back prospect, but I don’t think he’s on an elite level like Saquon Barkley or Christian McCaffrey. I would only draft those sort of players in the top 10. If I were the Raiders, I would have drafted Armand Membou instead or tried to trade down. However, I can’t grade Las Vegas poorly for this because Jeanty will be a very good player. Still, with Chip Kelly on the staff, couldn’t the Raiders have drafted one of the Ohio State backs with their second pick?
   
   
7. New York Jets: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri – A+ Grade
   I have to grade this as an A+. I mentioned that Trent Williams and Tristan Wirfs were the only offensive linemen in the same athletic category as Will Campbell. That also applies to Armand Membou, expect Membou has longer arms and a wider wingspan than Campbell. The Jets can start Membou at right tackle and eventually move him to the blind side if Olu Fashanu doesn’t pan out. Either way though, the Jets have a bookend of tackles for the next 3-4 years.
   
   
8. Carolina Panthers: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona – C Grade
   Wow, our Panthers source did not pan out for once. Jalon Walker was heavy chalk to go here, but the Panthers decided to draft a No. 1 receiver instead. While this fills a need, I’m concerned with Tetairoa McMillan’s work ethic, which is something you never want to hear from a first-round prospect, especially one who is chosen in the top 10. Bryce Young needs this, and McMillan is talented, but will he give 100 percent at the next level? Also, what about the defense, which was the worst in the NFL last year?
   
   
9. New Orleans Saints: Kelvin Banks, OT/G, Texas – A Grade
   It’s no surprise that the Saints passed on a quarterback. It’s also not a surprise that they drafted an offensive lineman. Ryan Ramczyk retired, so the Saints desperately needed to find a blind-side protector. Tallies Fuaga was the pick last year, but he’ll move to right tackle, which is his more natural spot. I love the Kelvin Banks pick, as it’ll give New Orleans’ next quarterback a good chance to succeed.
   
   
10. Chicago Bears: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan – D Grade
    Uhh… did the Bears know that Tyler Warren was available? Why would they draft the second-best player at the position when the best one was there for the taking? This pick provides poor value and doesn’t fill a need. This is a poor pick, but not quite worthy of being a Millen.
    
    
11. San Francisco 49ers: Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia – B- Grade
    I thought there was a chance Mykel Williams would slip because he was deemed as safe, but not as someone who had a lot of upside. This pick makes sense from a needs perspective, but it would make so much more sense if the 49ers didn’t have Jalon Walker or Tyler Warren available.
    
    
12. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama – MILLEN Grade
    And we have our first Millen grade of the draft. The Cowboys had Tyler Warren and Jalon Walker fall into their laps. Matthew Golden was also there. Instead, the Cowboys drafted a guard expected to be drafted in the 20s. Booker is a high-character player, but he was one of the worst-testing players at the combine. His agility was very low, so I don’t know how he’ll be able to pass protect in the NFL.
    
    
13. Miami Dolphins: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan – B+ Grade
    There was some chatter that Kenneth Grant could fall to the 20s, but I never understood that. Some teams had Grant over Mason Graham. The Dolphins didn’t exactly get the draft board to fall their way with Jalon Walker and Tyler Warren not filling needs, but I like this pick. Grant is a tremendous talent, and Miami had absolutely nothing on the defensive line, save for Zach Sieler.
    
    
14. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State – A+ Grade
    A no-brainer. Tyler Warren should have been drafted in the top 10. He could have gone as high as No. 7. This is a steal, and it fills a big need. This pick is definitely worthy of an A+ grade.
    
    
15. Atlanta Falcons: Jalon Walker, DE/OLB, Georgia – A+ Grade
    The Falcons were deciding between Mykel Williams, James Pearce, and Shemar Stewart all day. Never in a million years did they imagine that Jalon Walker was available. This is incredible value and fills a need. Like the Tyler Warren pick, this is an easy A+.
    
    
16. Arizona Cardinals: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss – A- Grade
    Walter Nolen was projected by many to go No. 11. I saw some even have him as high as No. 8. Nolen is one of the most talented players in this class. He has insane upside, but there are some questions about his work ethic. I’d have an issue with this pick if it were made in the top 10 with so many other great prospects available, but Nolen is arguably the best player on the board.
    
    
2025 NFL Draft Grades - Round: Picks 1-16 | Picks 17-32 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | NFL Draft Team Grades