The NFL Draft officially kicked off on Thursday Night as 32 College Football stars took the leap to the NFL. The night was truly chaos kicking off with the Jaguars trading up to the second overall pick while several massive trades shaped the night. While every team hopes to land their franchise cornerstone, on draft night every team doesn't always have the best showing.
Throughout the NFL Draft, there were several massive reaches which had analysts and fanbases questioning their decisions. While every fanbase may think their team killed the draft, here is how we grade each team's showing at the draft.
It's hard to knock the Tennessee Titans for taking Cam Ward 1st overall but, the team is passing on two blue chip prospects to do so. Obviously, the selection will be graded based on how Cam Ward pans out but, the team will be judged based on whether or not Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter live up to the hype.
While the Jacksonville Jaguars gave up an absolute haul to have the chance to draft Travis Hunter the pick itself is a home run. The Jacksonville Jaguars may end up getting a star wide receiver and a star cornerback in Travis Hunter but, he'll need to stay healthy while playing both. In pairing Travis Hunter and Brian Thomas Jr together, the team has an elite wide receiver duo to help Trevor Lawrence hit the next level in his development.
The New York Giants easily could've reached selecting a quarterback as they kept a Head Coach and a GM on the hot seat yet, the team stayed the course taking the best player available. Abdul Carter joins a loaded defensive front with Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Chauncey Golston which will be the identity of this team. The Giants have a Playoff caliber defense which means the offense will need to take a massive step.
While New England Patriots fans were dreaming of a world where they'd land Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter, the draft board forced the team to make the right decision. After Drake Maye dealt with injuries as a rookie, the team needed to protect him, and with the 4th overall pick, the team landed their franchise left tackle. Campbell will come in right away and help the Patriots revamp their offensive line as Mike Vrabel looks to replicate the punishing group he had in Tennessee.
The Cleveland Browns were one of the big winners of the NFL Draft by landing a haul for the 2nd overall pick. The Browns then bolstered their defensive line getting a star on the interior defensive line in Mason Graham. Graham will help take some attention off of Myles Garrett giving the Ravens a monster combination on the defensive line.
Peter Carroll teams have been built on their ability to run the football as Marshawn Lynch helped lead the team to the Super Bowl. As the team rebuilds, the Las Vegas Raiders took Ashton Jeanty with the 6th overall pick. While Jeanty will help transform the Raiders offense, taking a running back 6th overall in an era where teams don't invest heavily in running backs is questionable especially with the holes the Raiders have.
The New York Jets had plenty of needs to address in this year's draft and the team easily could've gotten distracted by some of the top tier weapons available. Instead after landing their franchise left tackle last draft the New York Jets landed their franchise right tackle in Armand Membou. The Jets building up their offensive line will help Justin Fields in the short term while giving the team a great group up front for their next quarterback.
Down the stretch last season, Bryce Young started to look like the quarterback the Carolina Panthers mortgaged their future for. As the team looks to build around Bryce Young to hope he takes the next step the team needed to add a weapon on the outside. Tetairoa McMillan has all the tools to be an elite wide receiver at the NFL level but, will need to work on his craft to be an effective route runner.
The New Orleans Saints simply need to get younger as the team navigates salary cap issues with an aging core. After his time in Philadelphia with an elite offensive line, Kellen Moore used his first NFL Draft to take a star left tackle. Kelvin Banks Jr will come in and start at left tackle right away moving Taliese Fuaga back to right tackle after the team declined Trevor Penning's 5th year option.
The Bears made one of the first massive surprises of the night selecting Michigan tight end Colston Loveland far before anyone was expecting. Tyler Warren was seen as the clear top tight end in this class yet, the team chose to go with the Michigan star. Loveland can become a key target for Caleb Williams but, if Tyler Warren proves to be the star he was at Penn State the Bears will be kicking themselves.
The San Francisco 49ers needed to land a star at a premium position in a rare year where they're picking in the top half of the NFL Draft. As the 49ers look to land talent on defense, the team adds a pass rusher with all of the tools in Mykel Williams. Injuries kept Williams from reaching his full potential at Georgia but, rushing opposite Nick Bosa will help him draw a ton of 1 on 1 matchups.
Everyone was expecting Jerry Jones would take a playmaker or a weapon as he's known to do but, some of the Cowboys best picks as of late have been on the offensive line. The Cowboys after losing Zack Martin to retirement selected Tyler Booker to be the team's next mauler on the offensive line. Booker will help the Cowboys create holes in the rushing attack while he'll stand defensive tackles up helping keep Dak Prescott healthy.
When Left tackle Terron Armstead announced his retirement, the Miami Dolphins had a clear need at offensive tackle. Instead of taking a player that can help keep Tua Tagovailoa healthy, the team took defensive tackle Kenneth Grant much earlier than expected. While Grant can help the team get stronger up the middle, the defense taking the next step will be meaningless if Tagovailoa isn't healthy.
The Indianapolis Colts put Anthony Richardson on the clock this offseason by signing quarterback Daniel Jones. While Jones or Richardson may start, either quarterback will have an arsenal of weapons to work with this season. Tyler Warren can come in and open holes up for Jonathan Taylor in the rushing attack while becoming a safety blanket for whoever the team starts at quarterback.
After years of selecting weapons on offense, the Atlanta Falcons needed to take a player to bolster the defense. The Falcons stayed close to home selecting Georgia star Jalon Walker which is a massive pick for the Falcons. While Abdul Carter gets all of the attention, Walker is a star who can affect the game from linebacker and off of the edge which gives him a chance to be the steal of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Arizona Cardinals needed to build a defensive front this offseason and by signing Josh Sweat and Calais Campbell this offseason the team started that build. Selecting Walter Nolen gives the team an elite pass rusher on the interior who'll help give the Cardinals an identity. Nolen will have a great mentor in Calais Campbell and if he can continue to develop, the team will have a defensive cornerstone.
The 2024 season was defined by defensive woes for the Cincinnati Bengals as the team wasted an MVP caliber season by Joe Burrow and a Triple Crown season from Ja'Marr Chase. After Sam Hubbard retired and while Trey Hendrickson looks for a new contract, the Bengals land their next stud pass rusher in Shemar Stewart. While Stewart didn't have the production you'd expect, he's a freak athlete who'll generate pressure for the Bengals defense.
The Seattle Seahawks have had issues on the offensive line dating back to their years dominating in the NFC going on runs to Super Bowls. The team started a rebuild this offseason and as the Seahawks look to build around Sam Darnold they needed to give him an offensive line. Grey Zabel can truly play all five positions on the offensive line which means he'll likely start his career at guard with the ability to move out to tackle.
While Emeka Egbuka is a solid wide receiver who'll be an instant impact player for the Buccaneers, the team simply had much bigger needs than Wide Receiver. The team resigned Chris Godwin this offseason and the team now has four starting-caliber receivers which means Egbuka creates a surplus. Egbuka will help the offense remaining explosive but, the team needed to add playmakers on defense.
There was a ton of chatter around the Denver Broncos selecting a running back after struggling with finding a consistent rushing attack. In a running back-heavy draft, the Broncos zagged and selected the best player available, getting a star in Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron. Barron will come in and be a star at cornerback opposite Pat Surtain, with the ability to play any position in the secondary, helping an elite defense stay near the top of the league.
The Pittsburgh Steelers settled on taking the best player available, which resulted in the team taking Oregon Defensive Tackle Derrick Harmon. The Oregon product gives the team a much-needed pass rush presence up the middle helping take attention away from T.J. Watt. The concern for the Steelers will be if they can't sign Aaron Rodgers, as Jaxson Dart, Shedeur Sanders, and Jalen Milroe were all available.
As Jim Harbaugh continues to mold the Los Angeles Chargers into a team that fits his vision, the team needed to land a star running back. The Chargers were lucky enough to see North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton slide to the 22nd overall pick where the team quickly nabbed Hamption. Omarion Hampton will come in and lead the team's rushing attack which will take a ton of pressure off of Justin Herbert.
While the Green Bay Packers didn't need to select a wide receiver, when the best wide receiver in the draft class is available, you jump at the chance to select him. Golden wowed NFL scouts and analysts at the combine, and his electric speed will match up perfectly with Jordan Love's massive arm. The Packers have an elite young offense, which will give the team a chance to continue going on deep runs in the Playoffs.
The Minnesota Vikings used Free Agency to address their offensive line signing guard Will Fries to a massive deal. While the Vikings could've added a weapon for JJ McCarthy or a key piece to their defense they instead turned to Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson. While Jackson isn't the most flashy pick, he comes to the team with the ability to play guard or tackle which helps the team build long term.
While the New York Giants could've reached taking Jaxson Dart 3rd overall, the team waited and were rewarded as they were able to trade back into the first round landing Ole Miss Quarterback Jaxson Dart. Jaxson Dart has a ton of upside but, he'll need to become better at processing to be a star at this level. The Giants signed two veterans which will allow Dart to wait his turn before being thrust into action.
The Atlanta Falcons gave up an absolute haul to take James Pearce Jr but, the selection itself is a great move. The Falcons have lacked a pass rush for the past few seasons and drafting James Pearce Jr gives the team a star alongside Jalon Walker. The Falcons have a nice young core in place on defense and compete for the NFC South this season.
Every season the Baltimore Ravens leave the draft with one of the best players in the late end of the first round. Malaki Starks fell because he played some hero ball this season but, the Ravens will only need him to play in the system. Starks will occupy centerfield for the Ravens while Kyle Hamilton will get to be the disruptor close to the line of scrimmage bolstering the Ravens defense.
The Detroit Lions defensive line was destroyed by injuries which kept them from going on a run to the Super Bowl. Tyleik Williams is exactly what the Lions needed as the team gets a monster in the middle of the defense to help stop the run while generating pressure inside. Williams will eat up blocks in the rushing attack freeing up the Lions star linebacker duo which will be important in an offensive heavy NFC North.
This offseason has been all about protecting Jayden Daniels and giving him all the weapons he will need to take the team on another deep playoff run. In Josh Conerly, the Commanders land an offensive tackle that can immediately jump in on the right side, giving the team a massive building block. Adding Josh Conerly and Laremy Tunsil this offseason will give Jayden Daniels all the time in the world to find Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel.
The AFC Championship game exposed how badly the Buffalo Bills needed to add talent at cornerback in this draft. The team selected Maxwell Hairston who has all the ability and top end speed but, injury concerns should scare the team. With Michigan Star Will Johnson available, the team should've looked to draft Johnson but, Johnson's injuries may be more of a concern.
The Philadelphia Eagles build Super Bowl contenders through the SEC and Howie Roseman's latest selection will help the team continue to dominate on defense. Jihaad Campbell was a heat-seeking missile at Alabama, disrupting opponents' plays every time he was on the field. Campbell has the ability to play middle linebacker or rush off the edge making him a versatile piece for Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio.
The Kansas City Chiefs' offensive line wasn't up to par, which kept the offense from reaching its peak the entire season. While Josh Simmons is coming off of injury, the Chiefs get a clear plug-and-play offensive tackle to help protect Patrick Mahomes. Before his injury, Simmons looked like the best offensive tackle in the class and if he can regain his form the Chiefs will land the steal of the draft.