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
    One-Year Grade: MILLEN Grade
    
    The Bengals deserve a Millen grade for their pick because they made the same mistake previously. Shemar Stewart was much like Myles Murphy, and he performed like him as a rookie, notching just one sack and 19 quarterback pressures in eight games.
    
    Original Write-up:
    
    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
    One-Year Grade: A+ Grade
    
    If NFL award voters had any sort of clue, they would have voted Grey Zabel as Offensive Rookie of the Year. Zabel was incredible, providing a huge boost to a Seattle offensive line that couldn’t block very well in 2024. Seattle’s improved offensive line was one of the primary reasons why the team ended up winning the Super Bowl.
    
    Original Write-up:
    
    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
    One-Year Grade: B+ Grade
    
    I changed my tune about Emeka Egbuka prior to the season. I listed him as my favorite player to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. I ended up betting him at 40/1, which seemed to be a lock until he completely vanished in the second half of the year. With Mike Evans gone, Egbuka should have a strong second season.
    
    Original Write-up:
    
    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
    One-Year Grade: D Grade
    
    Jahdae Barron barely played in his rookie year, seeing 15-20 snaps in most games. Barron struggled during those snaps, so it’s not exactly as though he was worthy of more playing time. He’ll see more action in 2026, but he’ll need to make big strides to justify a starting role.
    
    Original Write-up:
    
    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
    One-Year Grade: B+ Grade
    
    Derrick Harmon had a solid rookie year. In 12 games, he collected three sacks and generated 22 quarterback pressures. He also handled the run very well. It’s safe to say that the Steelers don’t regret this pick.
    
    Original Write-up:
    
    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
    One-Year Grade: B Grade
    
    Omarion Hampton missed half the year with an injury, but looked very good in the other half. He had severe blocking issues in front of him, yet had some promising performances. This bodes well for Hampton in 2026, given that the offensive line will be better by default.
    
    Original Write-up:
    
    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
    One-Year Grade: C Grade
    
    Matthew Golden was a disappointment, especially when considering how much hype surrounded him as the first receiver chosen by Green Bay in an opening round in eons. Golden caught only 29 passes for 361 yards, but he showed some promise in his final game, which has Green Bay fans optimistic heading into 2026.
    
    Original Write-up:
    
    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
    One-Year Grade: B Grade
    
    Donovan Jackson wasn’t a dominant blocker like some of the other offensive linemen chosen in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. However, Jackson still had a solid rookie year. He didn’t run block very well, but he was particularly solid in pass protection.
    
    Original Write-up:
    
    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
    One-Year Grade: A Grade
    
    Jaxson Dart was a bit of a surprise to be chosen in the first round, but he certainly lived up to his draft billing during his rookie year. Dart had some great performances once he relieved Russell Wilson in Week 4. There was one downside, and that was the high number of concussion tests Dart underwent as a rookie. If the Giants aren’t careful, Dart could have a brief career that is spoiled by injuries.
    
    Original Write-up:
    
    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
    One-Year Grade: C+ Grade
    
    This is a complicated grade. On one hand, James Pearce had a terrific rookie year with 10.5 sacks and 49 quarterback pressures. On the other hand, he’s had severe off-the-field issues, and at one point during the offseason, he faced 90 years in prison. This would be an easy A+ if Pearce could be trusted to stay out of trouble, but there’s a good chance he’ll miss plenty of time because of his character issues.
    
    Original Write-up:
    
    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
    One-Year Grade: A Grade
    
    It’s still shocking that Malaki Starks fell to the bottom of the first round. Safeties tend to go later than most think, but this fall was ridiculous. The Ravens won’t complain, as they were able to obtain a talented safety who was a full-time starter in his rookie year.
    
    Original Write-up:
    
    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
    One-Year Grade: C- Grade
    
    Tyleik Williams didn’t do much in his rookie year. He had just one sack and 19 quarterback pressures, and he wasn’t very good in run support. He did this in 17 games, 10 of which saw him placed in the starting lineup. Perhaps Williams will improve, but we didn’t see much upside from him.
    
    Original Write-up:
    
    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
    One-Year Grade: C+ Grade
    
    Josh Conerly wasn’t as good as the other offensive linemen chosen in the first round. On the plus side, he started all 17 games at right tackle. On the down side, he wasn’t a very good pass protector. He was much better as a run blocker, but he didn’t give Jayden Daniels the front office was looking for when they drafted him in the first rund. Still, Conerly was seen as someone with a massive ceiling, so he could make great strides in the coming years.
    
    Original Write-up:
    
    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
    One-Year Grade: C Grade
    
    Maxwell Hairston missed the first half of the season with an injury. He returned in Week 8 and had some rough games. He had a few bright moments late in the season, but was mostly a backup until he had a Week 18 spot start in which he performed well (albeit against the Jets.) It’s safe to say that the Bills expected more out of Hairston, but to be fair to him, he was never healthy in his rookie year, so this is a tough grade.
    
    Original Write-up:
    
    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
    One-Year Grade: A+ Grade
    
    Jihad Campbell was supposed to be drafted in the teens. He inexplicably fell to 31, allowing the Eagles to scoop him up as a great value. He met expectations, thriving in his great rookie year. He was so exceptional in his first season that he allowed the Eagles to part ways with Nakobe Dean.
    
    Original Write-up:
    
    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
    One-Year Grade: A- Grade
    
    Josh Simmons was another first-round offensive lineman who had a strong rookie year, particularly in pass protection. However, Simmons played just eight games because of injuries. It’s difficult to predict injuries sometimes, but Simmons entered the NFL as a prospect who was seen with a very dubious medical history.
    
    Original Write-up:
    
    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.