Live 2025 NFL Draft Grades: Round 6

2025 NFL Draft Grades for Round 6:

177. Buffalo Bills: Dorian Strong, CB, Virginia Tech – A Grade
     A third cornerback, but I like it. The Bills know that they have to nail down their pass rush and cornerback play, so I like them attacking the position, especially with a prospect who could have gone two rounds earlier. Dorian Strong has nice size and potential.
     
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178. Baltimore Ravens: Bilhal Kone, CB, Western Michigan – A Grade
     I may sound like a broken record at this point, but the Ravens hit yet another pick. They obviously had to take care of their secondary, and they did so once again with Bilhal Kone, who could have gone two rounds earlier. Kone is a big cornerback with impressive tackling skills.
     
     
179. Miami Dolphins: Ollie Gordon, RB, Oklahoma State – B+ Grade
     I’m conflicted on this grade. On one hand, Ollie Gordon is insane value here because he easily could have gone in the third round. On the other hand, running back – even depth at the position – was the one thing the Dolphins didn’t need, and the Dolphins are a team with massive holes everywhere on the roster.
     
     
180. Las Vegas Raiders: J.J. Pegues, DT, Ole Miss – B- Grade
     J.J. Pegues is a versatile defensive lineman, but he struggled at the combine. Still, I don’t mind the Raiders drafting someone who can help them up front after all the injuries they suffered in that area last year.
     
     
181. Philadelphia Eagles: Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse – B+ Grade
     The Eagles didn’t need a backup for Jalen Hurts because they have Tanner “The Irish Assassin” McKee, but Kyle McCord was just too good to pass up at this spot. McCord led all of college football in passing yards, so I projected him in the fourth round.
     
     
182. New England Patriots: Andres Borregales, K, Miami – B Grades
     The first kicker or punter is off the board. Bravo to NFL teams for waiting until the sixth round. Andres Borregales was 18-of-19 last year, including 7-of-8 from 40-plus.
     
     
183. Tennessee Titans: Marcus Harris, CB, California – B- Grade
     The Titans lost a starting cornerback to free agency, so it’s not a surprise that they drafted a player at the position. I had Marcus Harris going a bit later than this.
     
     
184. New Orleans Saints: Devin Neal, RB, Kansas – B Grade
     Alvin Kamara is always hurt, while Kendre Miller hasn’t panned out. Devin Neal could have a big role at some point this year. Draft Twitter seemed to love Neal, though I wasn’t as high on him. He’s strongly built and can accelerate quickly. I had him going around this range.
     
     
185. Pittsburgh Steelers: Will Howard, QB, Ohio State – B Grade
     Will Howard had an amazing season for the national champion Buckeyes. He was a clutch thrower who showed good mobility. However, he was one of the worst passers at the combine and doesn’t seem like a viable NFL quarterback. Still, he’s worth a shot here in the sixth round.
     
     
186. Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Loop, K, Arizona – B Grade
     No surprise that the Ravens are drafting a kicker to replace Justin Tucker. Tyler Loop is one of the kickers who would have made sense with this pick.
     
     
187. Houston Texans: Jaylen Reed, S, Penn State – B Grade
     The Texans could have gone after greater positions of need with this pick. However, Jaylen Reed is arguably a somewhat decent value. It sounded like he had fifth-round consideration, though we had him going around this range.
     
     
188. Tennessee Titans: Kalel Mullings, RB, Michigan – C Grade
     This pick neither fills a need nor provides good value. The physical Kalel Mullings was considered a seventh-round pick, and the Titans have two good running backs, so I don’t get this selection.
     
     
189. Indianapolis Colts: Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame – B+ Grade
     I’m sure Colts fans will appreciate this pick because they probably feel as though they don’t have a viable quarterback (though I’d argue that Daniel Jones deserves a shot on a real team.) Riley Leonard could have gone much earlier than this, so the Colts should be graded favorably.
     
     
190. Indianapolis Colts: Tim Smith, DT, Alabama – B+ Grade
     The Colts needed some defensive line depth, so Tim Smith is a logical pick in the sixth round. He has the talent and upside to play well in the pros despite being chosen this late.
     
     
191. Philadelphia Eagles: Myles Hinton, OT, Michigan – B+ Grade
     The Eagles needed to find a successor for Lane Johnson, who is now in his mid-30s. Perhaps that’ll be Myles Hinton. The Michigan product was projected to go in this round, so this is a solid pick.
     
     
192. Seattle Seahawks: Bryce Cabeldue, G, Kansas – A Grade
     Bryce Cabeldue was a projected fourth- or fifth-round pick, so the Seahawks are getting good value with him. They’re also addressing an obvious need, given the troubles on the offensive line.
     
     
193. Cincinnati Bengals: Tahj Brooks, RB, Texas Tech – C Grade
     I thought Tahj Brooks would go later than this or perhaps be undrafted. The Bengals needed a replacement for the injured Zack Moss, but they could have waited or taken someone else.
     
     
194. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jalen McLeod, LB, Auburn – B Grade
     Jalen McLeod is a versatile linebacker who can rush the passer well. He can wear many hats in Jacksonville’s defense, so I imagine he’ll stick on the team in some fashion.
     
     
195. Chicago Bears: Luke Newman, G, Michigan State – C- Grade
     Luke Newman is someone I didn’t have on my board at all. He started at guard for Michigan State last year, but he didn’t seem like a draftable prospect. He also doesn’t fill any sort of need.
     
     
196. Detroit Lions: Ahmed Hassanein, DE, Boise State – B Grade
     Ahmed Hassanein was a very productive player at Boise State. He lacks height and length for the NFL, but perhaps he can defy the odds and become productive for the Lions. He’s a project, but could pan out, especially with having an attitude Dan Campbell loves.
     
     
197. Houston Texans: Graham Mertz, QB, Florida – C- Grade
     I didn’t have Graham Mertz being drafted. Mertz, coming off a torn ACL, seemed to be headed for UDFA. There were better quarterbacks available.
     
     
198. Green Bay Packers: Warren Brinson, DT, Georgia – B+ Grade
     Warren Brinson was a rotational player with Georgia, but he could carve out a bigger role in the NFL because he has upside. The Packers needed some defensive line help, and Brinson could have been taken a round earlier with no complaints.
     
     
199. Los Angeles Chargers: Branson Taylor, OT, Pittsburgh – B- Grade
     It’s never a bad idea to have some quality tackle depth. That’s what the Chargers are getting here with Branson Taylor. The Pittsburgh product could have gone a bit later than this, but I don’t hate the pick.
     
     
200. Jacksonville Jaguars: Rayuan Lane, S, Navy – B Grade
     Rayuan Lane, expected to go in this range, is a very tough player. However, he’s undersized, so this is likely just for special teams, which have become more important this year.
     
     
201. Minnesota Vikings: Kobe King, LB, Penn State – B Grade
     Kobe King makes sense in this range. The Vikings didn’t need a linebacker, but this seems more for special teams.
     
     
202. Minnesota Vikings: Gavin Bartholomew, TE, Pittsburgh – B- Grade
     The Vikings didn’t have too many draft picks, so it’s a surprise to see them draft a tight end. Then again, they had two on the roster, but I thought this was more for UDFA.
     
     
203. Baltimore Ravens: LaJohntay Webster, WR, Colorado – C Grade
     I didn’t have LaJohntay Webster being drafted, so I’m a bit surprised to see this for the Ravens. Then again, Baltimore needed receiving depth, so I at least get what the Ravens are doing.
     
     
204. Dallas Cowboys: Ajani Cornelius, OT, Oregon – B Grade
     While some would say that Ajani is a tough cat, Ajani Cornelius’ pass protection is ahead of his run blocking. Then again, the Cowboys can’t run the ball anyway. Cornelius definitely has some developmental potential.
     
     
205. Washington Redskins: Kain Medrano, LB, UCLA – C Grade
     Kain Medrano looked like a UDFA to me. He was productive at UCLA, but he’s undersized and seems like he can only play special teams in the NFL, which, again, is increasingly important this year.
     
     
206. Buffalo Bills: Chase Lundt, OT, Connecticut – B+ Grade
     There was definitely some buzz around Chase Lundt toward the end of the draft process. He’s a lengthy tackle who has some potential. It’s nice that the Bills were able to find some depth at the position.
     
     
207. Philadelphia Eagles: Cameron Williams, OT, Texas – A Grade
     Another player who could end up being a successor for Lane Johnson. I like this pick better. Cameron Williams could have gone earlier than this, as he is a massive tackle with loads of potential, but he’s very raw and will need multiple years to develop.
     
     
208. Carolina Panthers: Jimmy Horn, WR, Colorado – C- Grade
     The Panthers spent a first-round pick on a receiver, you’d think they’d use their other picks on defense. Instead, they drafted Jimmy Horn, a small receiver who wasn’t productive last year.
     
     
209. Philadelphia Eagles: Antwaun Powell-Ryland, DE, Virginia Tech – B Grade
     The Eagles are drafting another pass rusher, which can’t surprise anyone. Antwaun Powell-Ryland is not someone I thought would be drafted early in the process, but there was some buzz around him late in the process, so it makes sense that Philadelphia would take him.
     
     
210. Baltimore Ravens: Aeneas Peebles, DT, Virginia Tech – C Grade
     Aeneas Peebles was a borderline draftable prospect. He offered a solid interior presence at Virginia Tech, but he’s an undersized tweener who doesn’t have a clear role in the NFL.
     
     
211. Arizona Cardinals: Hayden Conner, G, Texas – B Grade
     Adding interior offensive line depth seems right for the Cardinals, who need to make sure Kyler Murray is protected. Hayden Conner, who fits the range, is steady in both pass protection and run blocking.
     
     
212. Baltimore Ravens: Robert Longerbeam, CB, Rutgers – A- Grade
     Another highly graded Ravens pick. Robert Longerbeam has plenty of upside as a terrific, speedy athlete. He’s a project, but this is the end of the sixth round, so it’s not like the Ravens are taking a risk.
     
     
213. Las Vegas Raiders: Tommy Mellott, QB, Montana State – B Grade
     Tommy Mellott was getting some buzz late in the draft. He’s an interesting prospect, as he’s small but very mobile. Perhaps the Raiders can develop him.
     
     
214. Los Angeles Chargers: R.J. Mickens, S, Clemson – B+ Grade
     R.J. Mickens showed off some impressive athleticism at the combine. He has upside, and I like the Chargers taking a chance on him late in Round 6.
     
     
215. Las Vegas Raiders: Cam Miller, QB, North Dakota State – C Grade
     The Raiders sure love their Division I-AA quarterbacks. They’ll be using Tommy Mellott at receiver, while Cam Miller will be the developmental quarterback. However, Miller isn’t someone I believed should be drafted despite his great production at North Dakota State.
     
     
216. Denver Broncos: Jeremy Crawshaw, P, Florida – B Grade
     Teams sometimes draft punters in the third or fourth round. That’s dumb. Doing so makes so much sense in the sixth round. The Broncos needed to fill this need.